Biotechnology Overview (2158)
Type of Award
AS - Associate in Science (CIP 1341010100)
Program Website
pbsc.edu/CareerPathways/STEM
Program Description
This degree and certificate program is designed for students who want a career in the life sciences. Relevant topics such as molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology, nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) extraction and analysis, plasmid transformation, polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis will be covered. Academic and career pathways can include but are not limited to: research technician, QA/QC, research associate, medical technician, manufacturing technician, cell culture technician, research and development, drug design, biomedical engineering, medical devices, bioinformatics, microbiology, plant and animal conservation, biologist, chemist, biochemist, microbiologist, pharmacist, medical professionals, etc. This program prepares you for a variety of academic and career pathways in the life sciences, medicine, research, agriculture, and beyond. This program is also designed to provide additional hands-on training for professionals who already have a bachelor's degree in a related field but need the specialized skills to seek employment or advancement. Course content includes biology, chemistry, statistics, basic algebra, lab safety, field trips to local life science partners, and an internship opportunity.
Program Learning Outcomes
For detailed information, visit www.pbsc.edu/ProgramLearningOutcomes
Admission Requirements
- Have a standard high school diploma or GED;
- Complete an Application for Admission, located at www.pbsc.edu/Admissions/
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) must be at least 2.6 in all-previous college work attempted; and
- Attend a Mandatory Information Session. The schedule for upcoming information sessions can be found on the program website pbsc.edu/CareerPathways/STEM.
- For additional information regarding admission requirements refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.
Completion Requirements
Students must successfully complete all courses listed in the catalog for this program with a grade of C or higher.
For more details about graduation requirements please refer to the Graduation section of this catalog.
Program Length
The program can be finished in two years of full-time enrollment or three years part-time.
Location
The program is offered at the Palm Beach Gardens campus.
For More Information
Dr. Alexandra Gorgevska, Department Chair for Biotechnology, gorgevsa@palmbeachstate.edu, (561) 207-5003
Employment Opportunities
The program prepares the student for employment in entry-level biotechnology positions. Students can work in the biotechnology industry, pharmaceutical manufacturing and related industries.
Career Path Notes
Courses from this program may transfer into Palm Beach State’s Bachelor of Applied Science program in Supervision and Management. For more information, visit: www.pbsc.edu/Bachelors
In addition, courses from this program may transfer to other colleges and universities that allow students to transfer into a four-year program. For more information, contact the college or university to which you wish to transfer.
Career Center
www.pbsc.edu/CareerCenter
For more information about employment opportunities, including job outlook and salary information, visit: Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/ooh
O-Net Online: www.onetonline.org
Required courses:
General Education (Credits: 16)
| ENC1101 | English Composition 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Any course from Mathematics-Area III with a MAC prefix | 3 credits |
| BSC1010 | Principles of Biology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC1010L | Principles of Biology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| Choose Any Humanities Area ll, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
| AMH2020 | United States History Since 1877 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| POS1041 | Introduction to American Government (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| AMH2010 | United States History to1877 (AA) | 3 Credits |
Required Courses (Credits: 45)
| BSC2421 | Introduction to Biotechnology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| And | |
| BSC2421L | Introduction to Biotechnology Lab (AA) | 2 Credits |
| Or | |
| BSC1404C | Introduction to Biotechnological Methods (AS) | 5 Credits |
| BSC2420 | Biotechnology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2420L | Biotechnology 1 Lab (AA) | 2 Credits |
| BSC2427 | Biotechnology 2, Molecular Biology, Cell and Immunobiology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2427L | Biotechnology 2, Molecular Biology, Cell and Immunobiology Lab (AA) | 2 Credits |
| BSC2945C | Biotechnology Internship (AA) | 2 Credits |
| BSC2416C | Introduction to Tissue Culture Lab (AA) | 2 Credits |
| BSC2426C | Introduction to Biotechnology Instrumentation Lab (AA) | 2 Credits |
| BSC2435 | Introduction to Bioinformatics (AA) | 1 Credit |
| CHM1045 | General Chemistry 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| CHM1045L | General Chemistry 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| CHM1046 | General Chemistry 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| CHM1046L | General Chemistry 2 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| CHM2210 | Organic Chemistry 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| CHM2210L | Organic Chemistry 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| CHM2211 | Organic Chemistry 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| CHM2211L | Organic Chemistry 2 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| MCB2010 | Microbiology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| MCB2010L | Microbiology Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| STA2023 | Statistics (AA) | 3 Credits |
BSC1404C: A challenge exam is available for those students who qualify to take this course. Those who do not pass the exam will be advised to take BSC2421 and BSC2421L. See Program Director for details.
Total Credit Hours: 61
Course Sequence
Term One - Fall (Year One) (Credits: 14)
| ENC1101 | English Composition 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Any course from Mathematics-Area III with a MAC prefix | 3 credits |
| BSC1010 | Principles of Biology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC1010L | Principles of Biology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| CHM1045 | General Chemistry 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| CHM1045L | General Chemistry 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
Term Two - Spring (Year One) (Credits: 16)
| BSC2421 | Introduction to Biotechnology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| And | |
| BSC2421L | Introduction to Biotechnology Lab (AA) | 2 Credits |
| Or | |
| BSC1404C | Introduction to Biotechnological Methods (AS) | 5 Credits |
| CHM1046 | General Chemistry 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| CHM1046L | General Chemistry 2 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| MCB2010 | Microbiology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| MCB2010L | Microbiology Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| Choose Any Humanities Area ll, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
BSC1404C: A challenge exam is available for those students who qualify to take this course. Those who do not pass the exam will be advised to take BSC2421 and BSC2421L. See Program Director for details.
Term One - Fall (Year Two) (Credits: 16)
| BSC2420 | Biotechnology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2420L | Biotechnology 1 Lab (AA) | 2 Credits |
| BSC2416C | Introduction to Tissue Culture Lab (AA) | 2 Credits |
| BSC2426C | Introduction to Biotechnology Instrumentation Lab (AA) | 2 Credits |
| CHM2210 | Organic Chemistry 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| CHM2210L | Organic Chemistry 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| AMH2020 | United States History Since 1877 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| POS1041 | Introduction to American Government (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| AMH2010 | United States History to1877 (AA) | 3 Credits |
Term Two - Spring (Year Two) (Credits: 13)
| BSC2427 | Biotechnology 2, Molecular Biology, Cell and Immunobiology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2427L | Biotechnology 2, Molecular Biology, Cell and Immunobiology Lab (AA) | 2 Credits |
| BSC2435 | Introduction to Bioinformatics (AA) | 1 Credit |
| CHM2211 | Organic Chemistry 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| CHM2211L | Organic Chemistry 2 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| STA2023 | Statistics (AA) | 3 Credits |
Term Three - Summer (Year Two) (Credits: 2)
| BSC2945C | Biotechnology Internship (AA) | 2 Credits |
Total Credit Hours: 61