Program Overview

Biotechnology Lab Specialist AAAS

Summary

Prepare for entry-level laboratory position within the biotechnology field, ranging from research and biopharma to clinical laboratories. Gain foundational skills and knowledge through classroom learning, extensive hands- on lab experiences, and paid internship opportunities. No prior experience required.

What You’ll Learn

• Follow and document standard operating and safety procedures in accordance with industry standards.
• 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.
• Conduct, document and troubleshoot biotechnology workflows, applying knowledge of relevant theory and techniques.
• Analyze and display data using relevant statistical methods and computer technology.
• Communicate technical information in a variety of formats, including written reports and oral presentations.

Program Description

The Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences degree is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills leading to an entry-level laboratory position involved in the production of genetically engineered drugs, gene therapy, microbiology, virology, forensic science, agriculture and environmental science. Students interested in advancement are encouraged to pursue a four-year baccalaureate degree using the Biological Sciences Pre- Major, AS-T1 Planning Guide.

AAAS Degree (92.5-93.5 Credits)

• GPA of 2.0 or better for the entire program required.

Program Prerequisites

• Placement into ENGL 99 or equivalent and placement into MATH& 146 (or placement into MATH& 146 with concurrent MATH 46).

Approval Needed for Core Biotech Sequence

• The following courses are known as the Core Biotech Sequence: BIOL 249, BIOL 265, BIOL 266, BIOL 270, BIOL 274, BIOL 275, BIOL 277, BIOL 279, BIOL 280. They are taught as a series over one academic year. For most Biotechnology Lab Specialist AAAS students, these courses are taken in the second year of study.

General Education Core Requirements - 17 Credits

• Communication Skills (5 Credits)
  • Choose either BTWRT 215 or ENGL& 101.
• Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (5 Credits)
  • BUS 108 Tech & Web Essentials
• Human Relations (2 Credits)
  • BUS 105 Essentials of Human Relations
• Multicultural Understanding (5 Credits)
  • Choose either AES 101 or CMST 203.

Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics Requirements - 44.5 Credits

• BIOL& 211 Majors Cellular: Biology
• BIOL& 260 Microbiology
• CHEM& 121 Intro to Chemistry
• CHEM& 131 Introduction to Organic/Biochemistry
• CHEM 171 General-Inorganic Chemistry I
• CHEM 181 General-Inorganic Chemistry I (Lecture-Lab)
• CHEM 172 General-Inorganic Chemistry II
• CHEM 182 General-Inorganic Chemistry II (Lecture-Lab)
• CHEM 173 General-Inorganic Chemistry III
• CHEM 183 General-Inorganic Chemistry III (Lecture-Lab)
• MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats
• _Optional: MATH 46 Intermediate Algebra Support for Statistics _

Core Biotech Sequence - 31-32 Credits

• 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
• BIOL 280 Seminar in Biotechnology
• BIOL 290 Internship

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.

Sample Degree Map

• The following outline is designed to provide you with an example of what a full time sequence of courses might look like. We strongly encourage every student to meet with an Academic Advisor or program faculty member to adapt this example to suit individual needs.

Tuition & Fees

• Estimated Tuition & Fees (does not include additional program or course fees, books, or supply costs)
  • Per Quarter
    • WA-Resident: $126.47
    • Non-WA resident, US citizen, & Eligible non-citizen On Campus: $246.49
    • Non-WA resident Non-US citizen: $327.01
    • Non-WA resident, US citizen Online Only: $144.67
  • Additional Fees: Approximately $660 per year in lab fees

Related Program Options

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