Austin Community College

FY 2009 Degree Plan

This program provides biotechnology experience with general education courses in the arts and sciences and is designed to prepare persons for working in medical, research and industrial laboratory areas. Students interested in this program should consult with a full-time biotechnology instructor before taking any courses.

To receive an A.A.S. degree in Biotechnology, the student must (a) make a minimum grade of C in all required math and science courses, and (b) have an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater.

Semester I

+	BITC	1311		Introduction to Biotechnology	3
+	BIOL	1406		Cellular and Molecular Biology	4
+	CHEM	1311		General Chemistry I -- Lecture	3
+	CHEM	1111		General Chemistry I -- Lab	1
	ENGL	1301		English Composition I	3
+	MATH	1314		College Algebra1	3
					------- 17

Semester II

+	BITC	1402		Biotechnology Laboratory Methods and Techniques	4
+	CHEM	1312		General Chemistry II -- Lecture	3
+	CHEM	1112		General Chemistry II -- Lab	1
	BITC	1240		Quality Assurance for the Biosciences	2
+	ENGL	1302		English Composition II OR	3
+	ENGL	2311		Technical and Business Writing2
					------- 13

Semester III

+	BITC	2350		Bioinformatics	3
+	CHEM	2323		Organic Chemistry I -- Lecture	3
+	CHEM	2123		Organic Chemistry I -- Lab	1
				Humanities/Fine Arts3	3
					------- 10

Semester IV

+	BITC	2441		Molecular Biology Techniques	4
+	BIOL	2421		Microbiology	4
				Restricted Elective4	3-4
					------- 11-12

Semester V

	PSYC	2301		Introduction to Psychology5	3
	SPCH	1318		Interpersonal Communication6	3
	BITC	2411		Biotechnology Laboratory Instrumentation	4
					------- 10

Semester VI

+	BITC	2431		Cell Culture Techniques7 OR	4
+	BITC	1491		Special Topics in Biological Technology/Technician
#	BITC	2487		Internship - Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician II	4
					------- 8
				TOTALS	------- 69-70

¹ Or any college level math.
² Students should consult with a full-time instructor before selecting course.
³ Select from Humanities/Fine Arts section of the General Education Course list.
⁴ Electives should reflect student's area of concentration: BITC 2486, PHYS 1401, any college level math, BIOL 2402, BIOL 2316. For transfer to a four-year college or university, students should take CHEM 2425.
⁵ May substitute ANTH 2351, ECON 2302, ECON 2301, or SOCI 1301.
⁶ Students may select another Speech course upon consultation and approval with a full time biotechnology instructor.
⁷ Students may take this course any time after BITC 1311.

This certificate prepares students to function as entry-level biotechnicians in the laboratory or in biotechnology manufacturing.

To receive a Certificate in Biotechnology, the student must (a) make a minimum grade of C in all required math and science courses, and (b) have an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater.

Prerequisites

	BITC	1200		Fundamentals of Biological Sciences1	2
	BITC	1191		Special Topics in Biological Technology/Technician	1
					------- 3

Semester I

+	BITC	1311		Introduction to Biotechnology2	3
+	BIOL	1406		Cellular and Molecular Biology	4
+	CHEM	1311		General Chemistry I -- Lecture	3
+	CHEM	1111		General Chemistry I -- Lab	1
	ENGL	1301		English Composition I	3
					------- 14

Semester II

+	BITC	1402		Biotechnology Laboratory Methods and Techniques	4
+	CHEM	1312		General Chemistry II -- Lecture	3
+	CHEM	1112		General Chemistry II -- Lab	1
+	BIOL	2421		Microbiology	4
					------- 12

Semester III

+#	BITC	2486		Internship - Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician I	4
	BITC	1240		Quality Assurance for the Biosciences	2
+	BITC	2431		Cell Culture Techniques OR	4
+	BITC	1491		Special Topics in Biological Technology/Technician
					------- 10
				TOTALS	------- 39

¹ Students should consult with a fulltime biotechnology instructor to determine if it is necessary to take one or more mathematics courses (like MATD 0160) currently with BITC 1200 and BITC 1191.
² See department advisor to select appropriate prerequisite.

A student must hold a baccalaureate or associates degree that includes 1 1/2 years of biology and one year of chemistry (including one semester of organic chemistry) and department approval to be admitted to the program. Proficiency in oral/written English and in use of computers is required (to be tested separately if requested by the department chair or course instructor).

Semester I

+	BITC	1311		Introduction to Biotechnology	3
+	BITC	2441		Molecular Biology Techniques	4
	BITC	1240		Quality Assurance for the Biosciences	2
+	BITC	2350		Bioinformatics	3
					------- 12

Semester II

+	BITC	1402		Biotechnology Laboratory Methods and Techniques	4
	BITC	2411		Biotechnology Laboratory Instrumentation	4
+	BIOL	2421		Microbiology	4
					------- 12

Semester III

+	BITC	2431		Cell Culture Techniques1 OR	4
+	BITC	1491		Special Topics in Biological Technology/Technician
#	BITC	2487		Internship - Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician II	4
					------- 8
				TOTALS	------- 32

¹ Students may take this course at any time after BITC 1311.