Program Overview

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Summary

Gain extensive hands-on lab skills and conceptual knowledge to enter into a career in biotechnology, ranging from research and biopharma to clinical laboratories. Includes paid internship opportunities. Designed for learners who have already have a degree or prior experience.

What You’ll Learn

Students who successfully complete this program - by achieving a GPA of 2.0 or better for the entire program - should be able to:

1. Follow and document standard operating and safety procedures in accordance with industry standards.
2. Independently perform technical procedures common within biotechnology workflows including media and solutions preparation, recombinant DNA preparation and analysis, protein expression and purification, immunoassays, and the development and maintenance of cell lines.
3. Conduct, document and troubleshoot biotechnology workflows, applying knowledge of relevant theory and techniques.
4. Analyze and display data using relevant statistical methods and computer technology.
5. Communicate technical information in a variety of formats, including written reports and oral presentations.

Program Description

Shoreline Community College offers a short-term Biotechnology Lab Specialist Certificate of Completion (CC) to prepare students for an entry-level position in laboratories involved in the production of genetically engineered drugs, gene therapy, microbiology, virology, forensic science, agriculture and environmental science. This program is designed for post-baccalaureate students. Students pursuing a four-year baccalaureate degree should follow the Biological Sciences Pre-Major (AS-T1) planning guide.

Biotechnology Lab Specialist - What is it?

The Biotechnology Laboratory Specialist Program prepares students for work in laboratories involved in any aspect of biotechnical processes. The curriculum provides a foundation in a variety of math and science disciplines including algebra, statistics, chemistry, biology, microbiology and computer science. Students gain a working knowledge of molecular biology, recombinant DNA, immunology, protein purification, bioinformatics and tissue culture, both through classroom lectures and extensive hands-on laboratory learning experiences.

Certificate of Completion (37-38 Credits)

GPA of 2.0 or better for the entire program required.

Program Prerequisites

Meet with an advisor to identify courses from the Program Prerequisite list below that must be taken before starting the Core Biotech Sequence of classes. Students entering the program must have received at least a 2.0 in each of these classes (or an equivalent course) within the last 5 years. Professional experience will also be considered.

• ENGL& 101 or BTWRT 215
• BUS 108
• BIOL& 211
• BIOL& 260
• CHEM& 121
• CHEM& 131
• MATH& 146

Application Required

An application is required to enter the four-quarter Core Biotech Sequence of classes: BIOL 265/BIOL 266, BIOL 270/BIOL 274, BIOL 275 (OR BIOL 272 and BIOL 273), BIOL 277 (OR BIOL 276 and BIOL 281), BIOL 279, BIOL 249, BIOL 280, and BIOL 290.

Completion Requirements: Core Biotech Sequence (31-32 credits)

These courses are required for program completion.

• BIOL 249 Tissue Culture and Staining
• BIOL 265 Solution and Media Preparation
• BIOL 266 Media and Solution Preparation II
• BIOL 270 Molecular Biology
• BIOL 274 Molecular Biology Lab
• • BIOL 275 Recombinant DNA Techniques Lecture
• -OR- both
• • BIOL 273 Recombinant DNA Techniques Lecture
• AND
• • BIOL 272 Rec DNA Tech Lab
• • BIOL 277 Immunology
• -OR- both
• • BIOL 276 Immunology Lecture
• AND
• • BIOL 281 Immunology Lab
• • BIOL 279 Biotechnology Techniques
• BIOL 280 Seminar in Biotechnology
• BIOL 290 Internship

Completion Requirements: Program Electives (6 credits)

6 elective credits are required for program completion. Choose any combination of the program electives to earn 6 total elective credits.

• BIOL 245 Introduction to Aseptic Technique
• BIOL 246 Cleanroom Dynamics and Intro to Bioreactors
• BIOL 247 Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• BIOL 248 Introduction to Regulatory Affairs
• BIOL 285 Basics of Bioinformatics
• BIOL 286 Molecular Lab Techniques in Medical Diagnostics
• BIOL 288 Basic Principles of Flow Cytometry
• BIOL 293 Molecular Biology Research

Additional options for electives

Participation in the Biomanufacturing Training Program for High School Students (BIOL 111, BIOL 112, BIOL 113) will count as electives for the Biotech Certificate.

Other Shoreline Community College courses may be accepted as alternative electives with prior approval of a Biotechnology Lab Specialist faculty advisor.

Certificate Completion

To have this Certificate added to your transcript, after completion of all required courses please contact Jenifer Aydelotte in the Office of Instruction.

Program Advisor

Rachel Rawle Rm 2809
Orlando de Lange Rm 2811

First Year Advisor

Joyce Fagel Rm 5241

Program Information

Length of Program: 37-38 CreditsCompletion Award: Certificate of CompletionEnrollment: FallApproximate Quarterly Costs: $660/yr for lab fees
(in addition to tuition, books and parking)

Careers & Opportunities

The career outlook in the field of biotechnology is very promising with over 100 biotechnology-related facilities in the Seattle metropolitan area. The proliferation of new technologies is expanding employment opportunities in research, production, development and manufacturing; examples include work as a Laboratory Assistant, Lab Specialist or Research Assistant.

Potential employers include: University or privately owned biotechnology research and production labs; pharmaceutical or forensics labs; and fisheries, oceanographic and other nature resource management organizations.

Gainful Employment

Federal regulations require certain educational programs that qualify for a variety of federal student funding to comply with Gainful Employment rules.

Tuition & Fees

Estimated Tuition & Fees

(does not include additional program or course fees, books, or supply costs)

Per Quarter
| WA-Resident | Non-WA resident,
US citizen, &
Eligible non-citizen
On Campus | Non-WA resident
Non-US citizen¹ | Non-WA resident, US citizen
Online Only
---|---|---|---|---
1 credit | $126.47 | $246.49 | $327.01 | $144.67
5 credits | $632.35 | $1,232.45 | $1,635.05 | $723.35
12 credits (full-time) | $1,387.14 | $2,487.04 | $3,408.94 | $1,571.08
15 credits | $1,570.80 | $2,520.25 | $3,617.20 | $1,757.65

¹ Includes all International Students, both on campus and overseas online

Additional Fees

Approximately $660 per year in lab fees

Ways to pay for school

Federal aid, scholarships, grants, and more are available to help you pay for school.

Next Steps

Admission to this program is through an application process. Applicants need to meet the eligibility requirements and apply to the program as well as the College. Faculty and staff are available to assist with the process.

This program has a rolling admissions process. Applications are accepted at any time in advance of each fall quarter. Qualified applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Related Program Options

• Biotechnology Lab Specialist AAAS
• Essentials of Biomanufacturing Certificate
• Biological Sciences Pre-Major

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16101 Greenwood Avenue North
Shoreline, WA

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