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Biotechnology, Associate in Applied Science

Overview

Narrative

Major improvements in agriculture, breakthroughs in health care, energy production, solutions to environmental challenges - biotechnology is changing our world in exciting ways. Biotech is also one of the more rapidly expanding and diverse areas of employment in today's economy. A career in a biotechnology-related field could lead you to the development of new products and processes to improve the quality of life.

NCC graduates are positioned to compete for a wide range of positions in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, governmental institutions such as the FDA, USDA, Department of Defense, NIH, EPA, forensics laboratories, the cosmetic industry, biomedical research institutions and the expanding field of green energy.

Students entering this program should be interested in science and should have taken high school classes in biology, chemistry and algebra (or the equivalent). Students who have not taken chemistry or algebra may do so before beginning the program.

Industrial internships are considered the important part of the biotechnology program. Students are strongly encouraged to seek and apply for the internships; program coordinator will assist interested biotechnology majors in the applications process.

Features

Students in NCC's Biotechnology program receive a solid background in math and science and practical knowledge in biotechnology. Students also gain good laboratory and critical thinking skills that make them attractive to employers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry as manufacturing or research technicians. In addition this program prepares students to transfer to a four year institution should they want to pursue a Bachelors degree in Biotechnology.

The program can be completed on a part time or full time basis.

Optional Fifth Semester for Biotechnology AAS Degree

Students in the program have the option to acquire additional skills by attending a capstone semester at Penn State focusing on nanotechnology. This optional fifth semester of study will provide students with hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment found in industries that apply nanotechnology. Students who are interested in pursuing this training should work closely with their advisor to ensure that they choose those electives that will best prepare them for the capstone semester.

Career Potential: Laboratory Technician, Process Supervisor, Quality Control Technician, Manufacturing Operator/Technician, Research Technician, Forensic Lab Technician, Environmental Lab Technician

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

  • Demonstrate skills necessary to work in a typical biotechnology laboratory or biomanufacturing facility while following appropriate safety procedures and complying with the federal regulations for the industry.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of biotechnological principles and concepts.
  • Follow written instructions and work both independently and collaboratively on a wide variety of projects.
  • Demonstrate literacy in data manipulation and analysis using computerized spreadsheets and graphing programs.
  • Apply statistics to analyze the credibility of scientific results and to follow the biomanufacturing processes.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate both orally and through written reports in an effective and efficient manner.
  • Apply all the steps of the scientific method to research, design, perform, and report on a solution to a scientific or manufacturing problem.

Courses

First Semester

BIOS107Biology I

4 credits

BIOT184Introduction to Biotechnology

4 credits

CHEM120General Chemistry I

4 credits

ENGL101English I

3 credits

MATH140College Algebra

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:18

Second Semester

BIOS150Biology II

4 credits

BIOT185Biotechnology Techniques

4 credits

CHEM220General Chemistry II

4 credits

ENGL151TEnglish II

3 credits

CISC101Introduction to Computers

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:18

Third Semester

BIOS240Microbiology

4 credits

BIOT175Introduction to Biomanufacturing

4 credits

CHEM201GOrganic Chemistry I

4 credits

CMTH102Speech Communication

3 credits

Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior Elective (SSHB)+

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:18

Fourth Semester

BIOT202Biotechnology Seminar

1 credits

BIOT220General Biotechnology

4 credits

MATH150Introductory Statistics

3 credits

Arts and Humanities Elective (AH) +

3 credits

Elective +

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:14

*Industrial Internships are strongly recommended for students in the biotechnology program. Students are encouraged to seek internship opportunities. Program coordinator will assist students in identifying proper internship sites and the application process.

+ One course must be designated Diversity and Global Awareness (D).

Nanofabrication Specialization (Optional 5th Semester)

Semester at the Nanofabrication Facility at Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus

NANF211Matl Safety & Equip - Nanofab

3 credits

NANF212Basic Nanofab Processes

3 credits

NANF213Thin Films in Nanofab

3 credits

NANF214Lithography for Nanofab

3 credits

NANF215Mtls Modification in Nanofab

3 credits

NANF216Char Pkging Tstng Nanofab Struct

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:18

Total Credit Hours: 68