Biotechnology Research Lab Assistant

The Biotechnology Research Lab Assistant Certificate of Achievement Program introduces students to the field of biotechnology through strengthening and building on the basic biotechnology laboratory skills and soft skills that meet industry standards in a series of courses. This program prepares students with the skills for entry level and laboratory research assistant positions in biotechnology, such as manufacturing and biomanufacturing technician, in addition to providing them with the foundation in microbiology, molecular and cell biology laboratory skills for undergraduate research at four-year colleges. To gain authentic, hands-on research experience, students are recommended to take the BIOL 298 path prior to transfer to a four-year college. 

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this certificate program, students will be qualified for a manufacturing or biomanufacturing technician job, and will have mastery of basic biotechnology laboratory skills and good documentation practices in biomanufacturing, and work readiness skills. 

Required courses:  BIOL 101, 112, 122 or140, and BIOL 141 or 298, and BIOL 142, and ENGL 101 and MATH 100.

We project five students to earn this certificate annually  at the beginning and expect the numbers to gradually increase as the program is established. 

The goals of this Biotechnology Research Lab Assistant Certificate of Achievement Program are to prepare students for entry-level (e.g. manufacturing technician) and laboratory research assistant positions (e.g. biomanufacturing technician) in biotechnology and undergraduate research opportunities at four-year colleges. Students in this program have the opportunity to acquire and apply knowledge and hands-on techniques in fundamental molecular and cell biology, genetics and chemistry in living organisms, basic biotechnology laboratory skills. In addition, students will learn fundamental techniques, standard operating procedures, and good laboratory and documentation practices in biomanufacturing. 

This program requires that students select one of the introductory Biology course (BIOL 101, 112, 122, or 140),  and a laboratory skills course BIOL141 or BIOL  298 (undergraduate research experience), and Applied Biotechnology II with Laboratory BIOL 142, and Intro to College Reading & Comp English ENGL 101, and  College Algebra MATH 100.Students can complete these courses in 1.5 years. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
BIOL 101 or  BIOL 112 or  BIOL 122 or BIOL 140	General Biology I (Majors) Microbiology Intro to Biology (Non-majors) Intro to Biotechnology	4 5 4 4	S1
and ENGL 101	Intro College Reading & Comp	4	S1
and MATH 100	College Algebra	4	S1
and BIOL 141 or BIOL 298	Applied Biotechnology I with Laboratory Undergraduate Research in Microbiology & Molecular Biology	4 3	S2
and BIOL 142	Applied Biotechnology II with Laboratory	4	S3

Biology/CTE

Citrus College, LA Mission College, LA Trade College, Pasadena City College, Fullerton College, Irvine Valley College, Santa Ana College, Santiago Canyon College

The projected number of unique enrollment is 10 at the beginning and anticipate enrollment to increase once the program is established.