2024-2025 College Catalog

Biotechnology

 

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Biotechnology/Life Sciences Laboratory Assistant, Certificate of Achievement

The life sciences/biotechnology sector has remained resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Los Angeles region generating $60.8 billion in economic activity in 202 and hosting more than 1,000 life science innovation companies. It is projected that 16,000 technical jobs will be added to this rapidly growing sector within the next three years. The acceleration of the widening supply-and-demand gap, along with the need for highly skilled technicians, emphasizes the necessity to prepare students to become the next generation of highly skilled workers in this dynamic sector. The stackable Biotechnology Certificate program focusing on cell science and immunological testing will align academic offerings with industry needs and students will be trained in a curriculum that focuses on essential knowledge, state-of-the-art technical skills, and industry-required soft skills. Students will also receive an introduction to nanobiotechnology concepts and their applications in the biomedical, cell therapy, and immunological testing industries.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate knowledge of the broad scope of the biotechnology industry as well as the structure of a company and the importance of project management, workflow, and ethical practices. Students will also be able to describe and perform foundational molecular biology techniques that introduce quantifying, manipulating, and purifying biological molecules. Students will be able to demonstrate and articulate the importance of aseptic techniques. Through these cumulative laboratory experiences, students will be able to apply the scientific method to design controlled experiments and perform data analysis and graphing skills to generate quality figures. Students will also demonstrate their technical knowledge of the different types of documents and records used in a regulatory environment and communicate novel scientific findings through written and oral communication.  Finally, students will become more aware of equipment and laboratory space modifications that will promote inclusivity and accommodations for scientists living with disabilities.

Area of Emphasis: (24 units)

Required Courses: (24 units)

BIOL 30,Fundanmentals of Biotechnology I(5)
BIOL 31,Fundamentals of BIotechnology 2: From Genes to Proteins(5)
BIOL 34,Science Communication for Regulated Environments(3)
BIOL 90B,Life Science Internship(2)
CHEM 10,Introductory General Chemistry(5)
MATH 54,Elementary Statistics(4)

Biotechnology and Cell Science Laboratory Technician, Certificate of Achievement

The life sciences/biotechnology sector has remained resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Los Angeles region generating $60.8 billion in economic activity in 202 and hosting more than 1,000 life science innovation companies. It is projected that 16,000 technical jobs will be added to this rapidly growing sector within the next three years. The acceleration of the widening supply-and-demand gap, along with the need for highly skilled technicians, emphasizes the necessity to prepare students to become the next generation of highly skilled workers in this dynamic sector. The stackable Biotechnology Certificate program focusing on cell science and immunological testing will align academic offerings with industry needs and students will be trained in a curriculum that focuses on essential knowledge, state-of-the-art technical skills, and industry-required soft skills. Students will also receive an introduction to nanobiotechnology concepts and their applications in the biomedical, cell therapy, and immunological testing industries.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate knowledge of the broad scope of the biotechnology industry as well as the structure of a company and the importance of project management, workflow, and ethical practices. Students will also be able to describe and perform foundational molecular biology techniques that introduce quantifying, manipulating, and purifying biological molecules. Students will be able to demonstrate and articulate the importance of aseptic techniques. Through these cumulative laboratory experiences, students will be able to apply the scientific method to design controlled experiments and perform data analysis and graphing skills to generate quality figures. Students will also demonstrate their technical knowledge of the different types of documents and records used in a regulatory environment and communicate novel scientific findings through written and oral communication. Finally, students will become more aware of equipment and laboratory space modifications that will promote inclusivity and accommodations for scientists living with disabilities.

Area of Emphasis: (40 units)

Required Courses: (40 units)

BIOL 30,Fundamentals of Biotechnology 1(5)
BIOL 31,Fundamentals of Biotechnology 2: From Genes to Proteins(5)
BIOL 32,Cell Culture Methods and Techniques(4)
BIOL 33,Immunoassay Methods(4)
BIOL 34,Science Communication for Regulated Environments(3)
BIOL 35,Nanobiotechnology(3)
BIOL 90B,Life Science Internship(2)
CHEM 10,Introductory General Chemistry(5)
MATH 54,Elementary Statistics(4)
MCRBIO 1,Fundamentals of Microbiology(5)