Biotechnology I: Basic Wet Lab Skills

Program Overview

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Biotechnology I: Basic Wet Lab Skills at Cerritos College

Certificate of Achievement

Biotechnology utilizes biological systems or living organisms to create products and solve real-world problems. From employing bacteria to produce human insulin, to genetically changing a patient's own immune system cells so they can better fight cancer, the biotech industry continues to expand and innovate. By acquiring a certificate of achievement in biotechnology, students will attain the necessary fundamentals in biology, chemistry, and wet-lab skills for entry-level positions in biotechnology-related laboratories and facilities, like manufacturing technician and laboratory assistant. The courses required for this certificate provide students the option of pursuing the Biotechnology Level 2 certificate, which focuses on skills needed for more advanced positions.

Salary, Growth and Careers

Salary

Careers associated with this program have a salary range from $31,000 to over $239,000 with an average salary of $96,000.

Growth

Career opportunities for this program are expected to grow nationwide from 2022 to 2032.

Careers

• Natural Sciences Managers
  • Education Level: Bachelor's degree
  • Job Growth: +4.8%
  • Average Salary: $208,000
  • Salary Range: $154,000 - $239,000+
• Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
  • Education Level: Bachelor's degree
  • Job Growth: +5.1%
  • Average Salary: $118,000
  • Salary Range: $91,000 - $134,000
• Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
  • Education Level: Doctoral or professional degree
  • Job Growth: +8.6%
  • Average Salary: $132,000
  • Salary Range: $90,000 - $157,000
• Biological Scientists, All Other
  • Education Level: Bachelor's degree
  • Job Growth: +3.9%
  • Average Salary: $121,000
  • Salary Range: $81,000 - $140,000
• Biological Technicians
  • Education Level: Bachelor's degree
  • Job Growth: +4.7%
  • Average Salary: $67,000
  • Salary Range: $48,000 - $78,000
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians and Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
  • Education Level: Associate's degree
  • Job Growth: +4.4%
  • Average Salary: $68,000
  • Salary Range: $42,000 - $108,000
• Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
  • Education Level: Bachelor's degree
  • Job Growth: +4.9%
  • Average Salary: $73,000
  • Salary Range: $49,000 - $86,000
• Computer Occupations, All Other
  • Education Level: Bachelor's degree
  • Job Growth: +9.7%
  • Average Salary: $126,000
  • Salary Range: $75,000 - $166,000
• Data Scientists and Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
  • Education Level: Bachelor's degree
  • Job Growth: +31.4%
  • Average Salary: $127,000
  • Salary Range: $69,000 - $198,000
• Health Information Technologists, Medical Registrars, Surgical Assistants, and Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other
  • Education Level: Postsecondary nondegree award
  • Job Growth: +10.5%
  • Average Salary: $55,000
  • Salary Range: $31,000 - $117,000
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
  • Education Level: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Job Growth: -3.9%
  • Average Salary: $54,000
  • Salary Range: $39,000 - $61,000
• Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
  • Education Level: Associate's degree
  • Job Growth: +3.8%
  • Average Salary: $73,000
  • Salary Range: $52,000 - $90,000
• Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
  • Education Level: Postsecondary nondegree award
  • Job Growth: +8.5%
  • Average Salary: $50,000
  • Salary Range: $33,000 - $84,000
• Medical Equipment Repairers
  • Education Level: Associate's degree
  • Job Growth: +13.2%
  • Average Salary: $78,000
  • Salary Range: $55,000 - $94,000

Program Map

Biotechnology I: Basic Wet Lab Skills

• Certificate of Achievement
• 18.0 Units
• Major Course
• General Education Course
• Elective Course
• Milestone
• Offers Microcredential

Fall 2024, 1st Term

• 8.0 UNITS
  • MAJ BIOL 120: Introduction To Biological Science (4.0 Units)
  • MAJ CHEM 110: Elementary Chemistry (4.0 Units)

Spring 2025, 2nd Term

• 10.0 UNITS
  • MAJ BTEC 120: Introduction to Biotechnology (4.0 Units)
  • MAJ ET 103: Industrial Process Control (2.0 Units)
  • MAJ MATH 112: Elementary Statistics (4.0 Units)

Biotechnology I: Basic Wet Lab Skills - Certificate of Achievement

• 18.0 units

Program Outline

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Outline:

• Program Structure: This program provides the basic foundational skills and knowledge in biology, chemistry, and wet-lab techniques to prepare students for entry-level positions in biotechnology-related fields like manufacturing technician or laboratory assistant.
• Courses:
• Core Courses:
• BIOL 120: Introduction to Biological Science (4 units)
• CHEM 110: Elementary Chemistry (4 units)
• BTEC 120: Introduction to Biotechnology (4 units)
• ET 103: Industrial Process Control (2 units)
• MATH 112: Elementary Statistics (4 units)
• Life Science laboratory courses
• Advanced biotechnology techniques courses

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Careers:

• Salary Range: $29,000 to over $208,000, with an average of $84,000
• Growth: 8.1% nationwide job growth expected from 2019 to 2029
• Potential Careers:
• Biological Technicians
• Medical Laboratory Technicians
• Research Assistants
• Quality Control Technicians
• Manufacturing Technicians
• Laboratory Assistants

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Other:

• This certificate can be a steppingstone to pursue a Biotechnology Level 2 certificate focusing on advanced skills.
• Students can also use this certificate as a foundation to pursue a bachelor's degree in Biotechnology or related fields.
• The program may be subject to changes and updates.