Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing

General Education - 23 Credits

Program Requirements - 28-32 Credits

• BIOL 120 - Introduction to Biotechnology 4 Credits. *
• CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I 3 Credits.
• CHEM 122 - General Chemistry I Laboratory 1 Credits.
• CHEM 146 - Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry 3 Credits.
• CHEM 147 - Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry Laboratory 1 Credits.

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• BIOL 251 - Genetics 4 Credits.

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• BIOL 230 - Microbiology 4 Credits.

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• BIOL 253 - Techniques in Biotechnology I 5 Credits.
• BIOL 254 - Techniques in Biotechnology II 5 Credits.
• BIOL 282-6 - Cooperative Education II: Biology 2-6 Credits.

Program Electives - 9 Credits

(Please select 9 credits of the following)

• ENGL 102 - College Composition II 3 Credits.

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• BIOL 230 - Microbiology 4 Credits.

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• BIOL 251 - Genetics 4 Credits.

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• CHEM 123 - General Chemistry II 3 Credits.

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• CHEM 124 - General Chemistry II Laboratory 1 Credits.

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• CHEM 200 - Organic Chemistry I 3 Credits.

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• CHEM 201 - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 1 Credits. **

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• CHEM 202 - Organic Chemistry II 3 Credits.

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• CHEM 203 - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 1 Credits.

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• PHYS 101 - Fundamentals of Physics I 4 Credits.
• PHYS 102 - Fundamentals of Physics II 4 Credits.
• CSIT 155 - Internet Principles 3 Credits.
• DCOM 142 - Introduction to Linux/UNIX 3 Credits.

Total Number of Credits Required for Degree ***60-64

* BIOL 120  (Introduction to Biotechnology) may be waived at the discretion of the Program Coordinator. If waived, the student will need to take an additional four credits of electives to graduate.

** CHEM 200 /CHEM 201  (Organic Chemistry I and Lab) may be substituted for CHEM 146 /CHEM 147  (Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry and Lab). Students planning on transferring to a four-year program should plan on taking CHEM 200 /CHEM 201  and CHEM 202 /CHEM 203 .

***A new college orientation requirement, completion of the one-credit ACDV 101  course, Transitioning to College, went into effect spring 2010. If you are a credit student who is new to college (meaning you have not successfully completed college coursework at another institution(s)), you are required to take ACDV 101  during your first semester at CCBC, thereby increasing the number of credits required for the degree to 61-65 credits. Students are required to provide an official transcript(s) to document successful completion of college coursework at another institution(s) in order for this requirement to be waived.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between biological and chemical principles and operations in the biotechnology laboratory, including the structure of proteins and DNA, organizational structure of chromosomes and genes, and the information flow from genes to proteins to phenotype;
2. demonstrate a working knowledge of laboratory safety and the safe handling of chemical and biological reagents including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and mammalian cell culture systems;
3. follow written laboratory protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
4. keep accurate laboratory records and be able to communicate their experimental results using a variety of media;
5. demonstrate an awareness of current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) record keeping requirements and operations; and
6. perform laboratory activities commonly found in the biotechnology laboratory including, but not limited to, DNA and protein isolation, PCR, electrophoresis, centrifugation, enzyme manipulations, solution preparation, and the culture of biological organisms.

Program Description:

The Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing program at CCBC aims to provide students with the technical skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in this rapidly growing industry. Graduates of the program have found employment in academic research laboratories, industrial research laboratories, and biopharmaceutical production facilities.

Students enrolled in the CCBC Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing program have the option of taking courses leading to a Biotechnology Laboratory Technician certificate or the A.A.S. degree. Students electing the A.A.S. option can elect courses that will fulfill degree requirements at four-year colleges and universities. Students interested in entering directly into the workforce can take alternative courses and electives.

The “core” of the Biotechnology program consists of three sequential courses that cover the discovery, development, and production of a modern biopharmaceutical. Students enrolled in these courses can expect to learn about the new drug approval process including the regulatory requirements, laboratory and production documentation, laboratory techniques including recombinant DNA, electrophoresis, enzyme assays, protein purification, cell culture, and quality control methods employed in the biotechnology industry.

Capstone projects bring together the skills and knowledge taught during the program as students engage in mini-research projects and produce a “cGMP compliant” biopharmaceutical.

Courses within the program are designed to transfer to four-year institutions.

Students may choose to enroll in the certificate or A.A.S. degree program in Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing. The certificate is designed primarily for non-degree seeking students, individuals switching careers, displaced workers, or those already in the field seeking advancement. Individuals completing either program are well prepared for technical careers in the health sciences, basic research, pharmaceutical research and development, production and manufacturing, and quality assurance.