Biotechnology Certificate

Program Description

The Biotechnology Certificate is designed to prepare students with technical skills for the purpose of entry into laboratory positions or to strengthen the skills of students currently employed in laboratory settings.

Learning Outcomes

Successful graduates will have gained the following skills and knowledge, which can be applied to industrial or academic laboratory settings.

1. Conduct themselves as professional laboratory technicians capable of following laboratory safety guidelines and procedures.
2. Demonstrate proficiencies in both basic and advanced principles of chemistry and biology that are required by a person working as a laboratory technician.
3. Explain the basic principles of genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology.
4. Employ sterile technique in the handling of microbial cultures.
5. Prepare solutions and perform accurate measurements using precision instruments such as spectrometers and micropipettes.
6. Demonstrate skills in the use of molecular laboratory techniques including cloning to create recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) constructs or polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
7. Utilize computers to collect and analyze experimental data and to document data in clear and concise technical reports.
8. Develop biotechnology techniques based on research in primary scientific literature.

Certificate Requirements

Total Credits: 18