Biotech

This class offers an introduction to the fundamentals of biotechnology. Students will be given theoretical instruction in many concepts important to working in a biotechnology lab. This class is suggested for students exploring career options in biology or biotechnology or for those already employed and wishing to improve their skills.

**Students who have already taken CHEM 060 as a general education credit will NOT have to repeat this course and can apply it to their certificate

This course expands concepts introduced in Biotech 001. Students will be given theoretical instruction and hands-on experience in many of the basic skills used in biotechnology labs, including the preparation of solutions and buffers, pipetting techniques, microscopy and cell counting, spectroscopy, centrifugation techniques and the proper measurement of pH, mass and volume. Students will learn and practice proper aseptic techniques in their preparation of solutions, buffers and culture media. The proper validation and maintenance of lab equipment will be explained. Instruction on good laboratory practice (GLP), good clinical practice (GCP) and good manufacturing practice (GMP) will be given. Students will learn how to write standard operating procedures (SOPs) and how to maintain a laboratory notebook. This class is suggested for students exploring career options in biology or biotechnology or for those already employed and wishing to improve their skills.

This course expands on the concepts and techniques introduced in Biotech 001 and Biotech 002. Students will be introduced to modern biology techniques for the analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. Students will be taught how to analyze DNA and RNA using techniques such as gel electrophoresis, restriction digests, PCR, sequencing, northern blotting and microarrays. Analysis of proteins will also be covered, including Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, ELISA analysis, spectrophotometric quantitation and isolation through chromatography. Prerequisites: BIOTECH 002

This course provides students with an introduction to techniques for culturing cells, including media preparation, sterile technique, freezing, thawing, sub-culturing, and maintaining cells. Theory includes the selection of media, maintaining sterile conditions, and preventing contamination. Practical experience includes the proper use and care of equipment for culturing cells. Stem cell technology is also examined. Prerequisites: BIOTECH 001