Biotechnology/Life Sciences Laboratory Assistant

Certificate of Achievement

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About This Pathway

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in the order in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in a semester, you should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below. Some courses have been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” . Should you need (or want) to take classes in the summer and/or winter intersessions, the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed schedule of the intersessions.

Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate Degree”. If you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only required to take the courses marked “Program Requirement” .

All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.

Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer) require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” , be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.

Program Description

The life sciences/biotechnology sector has remained resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Los Angeles region generating $60.8 billion in economic activity in 2020 and hosting more than 1,000 life science innovation companies. It is projected that 16,000 technical jobs will be added to this rapidly growing sector within the next three years. The acceleration of the widening supply-and-demand gap, along with the need for highly skilled technicians, emphasizes the necessity to prepare students to become the next generation of highly skilled workers in this dynamic sector. The stackable Biotechnology Certificate program focusing on cell science and immunological testing will align academic offerings with industry needs and students will be trained in a curriculum that focuses on essential knowledge, state-of-the-art technical skills, and industry-required soft skills. Students will also receive an introduction to nanobiotechnology concepts and their applications in the biomedical, cell therapy, and immunological testing industries.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will:

Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate knowledge of the broad scope of the biotechnology industry as well as the structure of a company and the importance of project management, workflow, and ethical practices. Students will also be able to describe and perform foundational molecular biology techniques that include quantifying, manipulating, and purifying biological molecules. Students will be able to demonstrate and articulate the importance of aseptic techniques. Through these cumulative laboratory experiences, students will be able to apply the scientific method to design controlled experiments and perform data analysis and graphing skills to generate quality figures. Students will also demonstrate their technical knowledge of the different types of documents and records used in a regulatory environment and communicate novel scientific findings through written and oral communication. Finally, students will become aware of equipment and laboratory space modifications that will promote inclusivity and accommodations for scientists living with disabilities.