Biotechnology, A.S.

Biotechnology is the manipulation of living things to make useful products. The main focus of the A.S. degree in Biotechnology is the manipulation of DNA to generate recombinant proteins. The core biotechnology coursework is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in current  techniques in biotechnology and working knowledge of standard operating procedures, precise documentation of experimental results, and data analysis. Successful graduates of this program will possess a combination of hands-on skills and basic science/math knowledge required for entry-level career opportunities in the biomedical sciences industry, including industrial biotechnology research and production laboratories, pharmaceutical laboratories, and academic research laboratories. The primary program objectives are achieved through lecture courses, laboratory sessions, seminars, and culminate with an internship.

Learning Outcomes

In addition to the acquisition of general education competencies, graduates that complete this program will be able to:

1. Apply standard operating procedures to conduct research experiments in a research laboratory setting with strict adherence to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and safety guidelines/procedures, including the maintenance of an accurate record of laboratory activities in a laboratory notebook
2. Demonstrate proficiencies in the concepts of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Genetics to plan and conduct laboratory experiments
3. Interpret basic knowledge of chemistry and mathematics for the preparation of solutions, buffers and culture media, as well as obtain accurate measurements using precision instrumentation
4. Apply the knowledge and critical evaluation skills required to successfully create and functionally test a DNA construct and troubleshooting techniques, including DNA extraction and quantification, molecular cloning, polymerase chain reaction, agarose gel electrophoresis, and bacterial transformation, UV/VIS spectroscopy
5. Apply the knowledge, critical evaluation and skills necessary to perform technical procedures involved in the generation and purification of recombinant proteins, including protein isolation/purification, immunoblotting and ELISA
6. Utilize computers for statistical analysis of data, to collect information from databases, and to document data in clear and concise technical reports
7. Evaluate biotechnology techniques that are utilized in original scientific research literature and communicate their significance using the appropriate scientific terminology
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical principles of biotechnology research

Please see Becoming Connecticut State Community College   for important information regarding this program and Fall 2023 opening of Connecticut State Community College.