Biotechnology/Life Sciences Laboratory Assistant

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 2020 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. 

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The biotechnology workforce is a growing and dynamic industry that is the catalyst for innovation in multiple fields such as healthcare, military defense, agriculture, and bio-renewables/environmental stewardship. Major regional economic forecasts have projected a broadening gap between supply and demand of technicians in this industry as well as a gap in diversity of the workforce. Santa Monica College (SMC) is located in the center of an emerging biotechnology/cell science hub. To leverage these favorable circumstances while narrowing the technician supply and diversity gaps that have become exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic era, the leadership team is proposing a plan to develop and implement a biotechnology technician education program consisting of two stackable certificates that will focus on cell science and immunoassay techniques. The emphasis is on expanding access to employment opportunities for traditionally under-represented populations within the Los Angeles area while re-imaging the technical education and diversity culture of the biotechnology industry. Based on this overarching goal, the objectives of the proposed stackable Biotechnology certificate program focusing on cell science and immunoassay technologies will: 1) support the rapid growth of biotechnology industries in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles while influencing the economic impact of Southern California, 2) expand outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts of students from traditionally untapped pools of talent and communities, and 3) grow a diverse and talented workforce while narrowing the training, mentorship, and employment equity gaps associated with the life science/biotechnology industry in California. This equity-centered and inclusive biotechnology technician education program has the potential to serve as a replicable model for how to advance diversity and inclusion in programs that focus on life science/biotechnology technician education.

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 include 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 aware of equipment and laboratory space modifications that will promote inclusivity and accommodations for scientists living with disabilities.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
BIOL 30	Fundamentals of Biotechnology 1	5
BIOL 31	Fundamentals of Biotechnology 2: From Genes to Proteins	5
BIOL 34A	Science Communication for Regulated Environments	3
CHEM 10	Introductory General Chemistry	5
MATH 54 DE	Elementary Statistics	4
BIOL 90B	Life Science Internship	2

There is no program at our college with the same TOP Code

LATTC - Biotechnology (Biomanufacturing) Citrus College - Biotechnology LA Mission College - Biotechnology Pasadena City College - Biotechnology Compton College - Biotechnology West LA - Biotechnology

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