This certificate of achievement comprises three foundational courses that give students background and practical experience in the techniques and applications of biotechnology in a contemporary laboratory setting. The certificate is also designed to be a springboard into a wide array of technical and theoretical fields in the natural sciences, including biology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

20 per semester

Purpose and Goals and Specific Objectives of Degree/Certificate

Certificate of Achievement in Biotechnology will give the students background and experience to assume entry-level positions in a number of industries that rely upon technical expertise in a chemical or biological laboratory.  In addition, the Certificate will give students a firm background on which they will be able to build to achieve an Associate’s degree in science and to transfer into baccalaureate programs in a number of scientific and technical areas, including baccalaureates in biotechnology.

Background and Rationale

As a component of the Strong Workforce Development plan, this certificate in Biotechnology will provide a direct link to the Biotech industries not only locally but throughout California.  The California Community Colleges have a specific mandate to provide career and technical training to a diverse population that has traditionally been under-served.  The demographics of the Rio Hondo college communities are precisely such a population and this certificate will provide them with the education and experience specifically designed to meet the needs of a growing and diversifying employment environment.

The Strong Workforce Development project has highlighted the need for multiple and diverse training programs throughout the LA and Orange County region and as such Rio Hondo has joined a consortium of regional colleges to address such workforce needs.  The team at Rio Hondo has held meetings including faculty and administrators to develop a plan for the development and implementation of a program that will meet the local needs of biotech industries.

To acquire the Certificate of Achievement in Biotechnology, it is necessary to complete the following courses:

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Division of Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering

---

CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT

This certificate of achievement comprises three foundational courses that give students background and practical experience in the techniques and applications of biotechnology in a contemporary laboratory setting. The certificate is also designed to be a springboard into a wide array of technical and theoretical fields in the natural sciences, including biology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

To acquire the Certificate of Achievement in Biotechnology, it is necessary to complete the following courses:

Required Courses	Units
BIOT 100	Introduction to Biotechnology	4
BIOT 110	* Introduction to Biotechnology Techniques and Applications	4
CHEM 110 or	* Chemistry for Allied Health Majors	5
CHEM 120	* Introduction to Chemistry	5
Units Required    13
* Prerequisite

This Biotechnology program in many ways mirrors the Environment Technology (ET) program in that it focused on job placement as a capstone of the program and still prepares students for transfer into a four-year program. Also like the ET program is straddles curriculum between the technical skills training as well as academic proparation.

Citrus, Fullerton, Irvine, LA Trade, Pasadena, Santa Ana, Santiago Canyon

20