St. Charles Community College

The A.A.S. Biotechnology program includes coursework in chemistry, biology, and biotechnology.  Students will receive a strong foundation in core topics before moving on to practical work in lab.  Students will gain hands-on experience with the instrumentation, methodologies, and techniques used in industry, including gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, cell manipulation and imaging, protein purification, aseptic technique, documentation and standard operating procedures (SOP), and Good Manufacturing Practices.

At several points in the degree program students will be eligible to earn industry-recognized credentials from the Bioscience Core Skills Institute and Biotechnician Aptitude and Competency Exam.  Students will complete 6 credit hours of internship experience coursework prior to completing their degree, furthering their preparation for an industry position after graduation.

The A.A.S. is awarded to students completing the requirements of a career/technical program.  Although this degree is not intended to be a transfer degree, many of the courses will transfer to four-year institutions.

For more information, see the Biotechnology Career Guide, a digital resource designed to help students identify the best path to success in the biotechnology field.