Biotechnology BTN.S.AAS

Associate of Applied Science - 60 - 63 Credit Hours

Division: Science, Mathematics and Engineering
Department: Biology
Effective as of Fall 2018

Are you interested in improving medicine, the environment, food or agriculture (just to name a few!)? Can you picture yourself in a lab performing research or analyzing data? An applied associate's degree in biotechnology gives you the practical skills you need to begin a career in one of the many labs and research facilities that make up the biotech industry. With classes such as reagent preparation, cell culture, protein purification, molecular techniques, microbiology and fermentation, you will be ready to begin your career in this fast growing industry.

What is the program about?

The Associate of Applied Science in Biotechnology provides a full range of courses to prepare students for entry-level positions in the biotechnology field. The academic curriculum provides a background in historical development of biotechnology, bioethics, safety, reagent preparation, cell culture techniques, protein purification and analysis techniques, microbiology and fermentation methods, molecular biology (DNA) techniques and bioinformatics. With advances in molecular and cellular biology, the biotechnology industry has expanded in scope to include human diagnoses and therapeutics, agricultural and veterinary applications, food production and environmental cleanup.

Program Outcomes

• Demonstrate the ability to think logically and solve problems using analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
• Recognize and articulate an understanding of the increasing interdependence of world cultures and their consequences.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of ways with varied audiences through: writing skills, oral communication skills, listening skills, reading skills and computer literacy.
• Demonstrate knowledge of various experimental systems, including bacterial cultures, mammalian cell cultures and recombinant DNA technology.
• Demonstrate a strong foundation in the natural sciences and the reasoning skills needed for successfully executing laboratory protocols.

Career Opportunities

This degree program prepares graduates to enter the biotechnology workforce as entry-level technicians and conduct a variety of basic and advanced laboratory techniques used in biomedical research.

Transferability

Formal articulation agreements with other colleges and universities indicate how Sinclair programs and courses will transfer to other institutions.