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Certificates and Degrees

Basic Biotechnician Certificate

The Basic Biotechnician certificate introduces hands-on laboratory training needed for entry-level employment in a biotechnological laboratory.
Recommended
Sequencing 		  Courses Credit
Hours
Semester I
Fall or Spring 		BTN 101 Introduction to Biotechnology
BTN 105 Laboratory Calculations
BTN 201 Biotechnology Techniques I
BTN 202 Biotechnology Techniques II
One other science with lab*
Total 		1
3
4
4
4-5
16


Notes and Additional Information

* Science requirement may be satisfied by:

  • Completion of the Biotechnology Laboratory Assistant Certificate, or
  • Completion of BTN 100, BTN 103, and BTN 104 cohort with a C or better, or
  • One semester of college biology with lab, or
  • One semester of college chemistry with lab, or
  • Course approved by the program coordinator.

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Advanced Biotechnician Certificate

The Advanced Biotechnician certificate provides practical laboratory skills to supplement theoretical knowledge gained from previous coursework, to improve employability in the biotechnology industry.
Recommended
Sequencing 		Courses Credit
Hours
First Year,
Semester I* 		BTN 101 Introduction to Biotechnology
BTN 105 Laboratory Calculations
BTN 201 Biotechnology Techniques I
BTN 202 Biotechnology Techniques II 		1
3
4
4
Choose 15 credits from one of the following: Term
First Year,
Semester II** 		BTN 106 Fundamentals of Scientific Communication

BTN 110 Nucleic Acid Methods
BTN 115 Biomanufacturing (alternates)
BTN 120 Biofuels (alternates)
BTN 125 Bioinformatics I
BTN 126 Bioinformatics II
BTN 160 Intro to AgBiotechnology (alternates)
BTN 210 Cell Culture and Function
BTN 220 Immunological Methods (alternates)
BTN 225 Proteins Bioseparation
BTN 298 Learning Laboratory
Total 		Summer

Fall
Fall
Spring
Spring
Summer
Spring
Spring
Fall
Fall
Any Term 		3

4
4
4
2
2
4
4
4
4
(1-8)
27
Prerequisites At least one semester of college level chemistry and college level biology, with an earned associates degree or higher, or consent of the program coordinator.


Notes and Additional Information:

* BTN 101, BTN 105, BTN 201, and BTN 202 are required technical core courses. Students choose at least 15 credits of technical electives. Refer to the college catalog for a list of all the technical electives.

** Semester II course can also be taken during semester I with coordinators permission.

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Laboratory Assistant Certificate

The Biotechnology Laboratory Assistant certificate provides basic training and personal support to prepare students for certificates and degrees in Biotechnology or entry level employment in bioscience laboratories. The program is intended for students with little or no background in science, although the program is open to all students. Students enroll in three integrated courses as a cohort, BTN 100, BTN 103, and BTN 104.
Recommended
Sequencing 		  Courses Credit Hours
Semester I
Fall or Spring 		BTN 100 Contextual Science with Lab*
BTN 103 Contextual Lab Language
BTN 104 Contextual Lab Calculations
BTN 101 Introduction to Biotechnology
BTN 106 Scientific Communications
Digital literacy**
Total 		4
3
3
1
3
3
17


Notes and Additional Information:

* BTN 100, BTN 103, and BTN 104 must be taken as a cohort.

** Digital literacy must be demonstrated either by competency exam or by successfully completing a digital literacy course.

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Bioinformatics Certificate

The Bioinformatics certificate introduces interdisciplinary curriculum to gain skills required to seek employment at an entry level in performing data acquisition, management, and analysis in laboratory environments. The certificate program can also benefit working professionals seeking to advance or change their careers. Students will learn basic programming, concepts of molecular biology, and use of bioinformatics applications and resources. Emphasis will be placed on the skills required to become creative and flexible team members and leaders who can work with others in the dynamic interdisciplinary team environment found in today s biotechnology companies. The Bioinformatics certificate is a joint credential within the Biotechnology Laboratory Technician and Computer Information Technologies areas.
Recommended
Sequencing 		  Courses Credit
Hours
First Year,
Semester I
Fall 		BTN 101 Introduction to Biotechnology
BTN 201 Biotechnology Techniques I
BTN 202 Biotechnology Techniques II
CIT 149 Java I
INF 282 Introduction to Databases 		1
4
4
3
3
 

First Year,
Semester II
Spring

BTN 105 Laboratory Calculations
BTN 125 Bioinformatics I
BTN 126 Bioinformatics II
CIT 249 Java II
IMD 133 Beginning Web Design
Total 		3
2
2
3
3
28

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Environmental Biotechnician Certificate

The Environmental Biotechnician certificate provides hands-on training using an interdisciplinary approach of integrating applied biotechnology to study the natural environment. Green technologies, sustainability, biodegradation, and bioremediation will be explored. Students will collect water, air, and soil samples and conduct experiments related to the detection and monitoring of environmental pollutants. The use of biotechnology laboratory methods, system s biology, and bioinformatics will be emphasized. Students who complete the curriculum satisfactorily are qualified for entry level positions in laboratories or field research companies, including federal, state, or local agencies, university or privately owned biotechnology research labs, or nature resource management organizations. The Environmental Biotechnician Certificate requires successful completion of 21 hours of coursework, which may be earned in 2 semesters, provided all the prerequisites have been met for the required coursework. This is a joint certificate in the Biotechnology Laboratory Technician and Environmental Science Technician programs.
Recommended
Sequencing 		  Courses Credit
Hours
First Year,
Semester I
Fall 		BTN 101 Introduction to Biotechnology
BTN 201 Biotechnology Techniques I
BTN 202 Biotechnology Techniques II
EST 150 Introductory Ecology 		1
4
4
4
 

First Year,
Semester II
Spring

CHE 170 General College Chemistry I
CHE 175 Gen Chem Lab I
EST 170 Environmental Sampling Lab
EST 260 Environmental Methods Lab
Total 		3
1
2
2
21

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Associate of Applied Science Degree - Biotechnology Laboratory Technician

The Biotechnology Laboratory Technician AAS program provides the basic knowledge and laboratory skills needed to prepare for entry-level jobs in university, government, pharmaceutical, or industrial biotechnology laboratories. Graduates of the program will be able to seek employment in biotechnology laboratories such as biomanufacturing, quality control, quality assurance, research and development, and regulatory bioscience. The program has been designed to develop skills in basic analysis of biological molecules (DNA and proteins), use of bioreactors, recombinant DNA technology, generation of cell cultures, immunological method applications, regulatory compliance (GMPs and GLPs), accurate documentation, and laboratory safety skills. Some courses are dual credit and college credit can be earned while students are enrolled in secondary school.
Recommended
Sequencing 		  Courses Credit
Hours
First Year,
Fall 		English 101
MAT 110 or higher
Natural Sciences with Laboratory*
Technical Support see KCTCS catalog
Digital Literacy**
BTN 101 Introduction to Biotechnology*** 		3
3
3,1
4
0-3
1
First Year,
Spring 		Heritage/Humanities
Behavioral/Social Sciences
BTN 201 Biotechnology Techniques I
BTN 202 Biotechnology Techniques II
BTN 105 Laboratory Calculations 		3
3
4
4
3
Choose at least 28 credits:

Second Year,
Fall

BTN 110 Nucleic Acid Methods
BTN 225 Protein Bioseparations (alternates)
BTN 125 Bioinformatics I (alternates)
BTN 126 Bioinformatics II (alternates)
BTN 115 Biomanufacturing (alternates)
BTN 120 Biofuels (alternates) 		4
4
2
2
4
4
Second Year,
Spring 		BTN 106 Science Communications (summer)
BTN 210 Cell Culture and Function
BTN 220 Immunological Methods (alternates)
BTN 160 Agricultural Biotechnology (alternates)
BTN 298 Learning Laboratory (alternates)
Total 		3
4
4
4
(1-8)
60-64


Notes and Additional Information:

* Science requirement may be satisfied by one semester of college biology with lab, or one semester of college chemistry with lab, or course approved by the program coordinator.

** Digital literacy must be demonstrated either by competency exam or by successfully completing a digital literacy course.

*** BTN 101, BTN 105, BTN 201, and BTN 202 are required technical core courses. Students choose at least 28 credits of technical electives. Refer to the college catalog for a list of all the technical electives.

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