Skills needed to serve as a technician in the biotechnology and biomanufacturing industries. Students grow and monitor bacterial and yeast cultures that produce recombinant proteins, emulating the large-scale production used in industry. Cleaning, sterilization, aseptic inoculation, operation, and monitoring of fermenters and bioreactors. Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) will be emphasized.
Work experience for students in the Biotechnology Program through internships in the biotechnology industry. Students do internships in local academic/government institutions and biotechnology companies. One unit of credit is earned for 54 hours of unpaid or paid work.
Provides the necessary communication tools for beginning students placed in off-campus stem cell biology internships. Emphasis is put on demonstrating how their work contributes to the overall the scientific research being conducted at their internship site. Types of internships may include, but are not limited to, differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, FACS analysis, primary cell culture, propagation of iPS cells, immunolocalization, microarray analysis and tumor cell characterization.
Students will explore various careers in bioscience through online research, informational interviews and interactions with industry professionals. Students will present a summary of a chosen bioscience topic at a scientific meeting. Students will communicate and network with industry professionals, and attend professional workshops and seminars to gain career skills needed for finding internships and jobs in the biotechnology fields.
An introduction to laboratory techniques needed for entry-level positions in the biotechnology industry and research laboratories. The course covers basic lab skills such as solution making, bacteria cultures, plasmid DNA and protein purification. Intended as an introductory class for the students in preparation of the more advanced biotechnology classes and/or an internship in a biotechnology lab.
Work experience for students in the Biotechnology Program through internships in the biotechnology industry. Students do internships in local academic/government institutions and biotechnology companies. One unit of credit is earned for 54 hours of unpaid or paid work.
A general introduction to the principles of stem cell biology. Topics include embryonic stem cells in early development, adult stem cells, and potential applications of stem cell culture and ethical issues involved in stem cell research. Current research methods involving cell differentiation and fluorescent technology will be presented. Emphasis on laboratory techniques including culture of mouse embryonic stem cells, analysis of stem cells by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.
Introduction to techniques for culturing and maintaining mammalian cells, including proper use of equipment, aseptic technique, media formulation, storage, counting and subculturing of cells. Contents include proper growth conditions, cell cycle regulation, cellular responses to DNA damage, growth patterns, viability assays, transfection and an introduction to the use of fluorescent molecules in visualization of cellular structures.
In-depth coverage of current recombinant DNA methods and concepts of modern genomics. Emphasis on laboratory work using techniques such as culture of bacteria, DNA and RNA purification, plasmid DNA construction, cDNA synthesis, real-time PCR, and use of software tools to analyze DNA sequences.
Concepts, techniques and applications of mathematics and elementary algebra emphasizing applications to practical problems in biotechnology and chemistry. Use of traditional problem solving methods and interactive group activities.