What's Biotechnology All About?

Biotechnology marries the intricacies of biological processes, organisms, and systems to craft products tailored for distinct purposes. In simple terms, it's about using life's secrets to make amazing things. Biotech involves the manipulation of living entities to advance scientific knowledge, solve intricate problems, and innovate new products. Positioned at the crossroads of biology, chemistry, genetics, and engineering, it empowers professionals to wield living organisms or their elements to unravel intricate dilemmas, innovate novel products, and elevate the boundaries of scientific comprehension.

Why Consider a Career in Biotechnology?

• Multidisciplinary Blend: Biotechnology integrates principles from biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, and mathematics. This interdisciplinary nature means professionals often have diverse educational backgrounds, promoting continuous learning and collaboration. Biotechnology promotes a rich tapestry of learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Making a Difference: From pioneering advanced medical treatments and mRNA research to boosting crop yields and devising sustainable energy, biotech's profound societal contributions cannot be understated.

• Thriving Industry: The biotech sector is recognized for its robust growth trajectory and innovative spirit. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics anticipates job growth exceeding 5% in the upcoming decade, outpacing the average.

• Diverse Career Paths: Pursuing a degree in biotechnology can pave the way for a multitude of career opportunities, ranging from research and development and quality control to clinical testing. In biotech, your "office" might be a laboratory where you engage with cell therapies, a water treatment facility monitoring COVID-19 levels in a given region, or any setting in between. Whether it's R&D, quality control, or clinical testing, the landscape is vast and varied.

• Stable Job Prospects: With the industry's continuous growth, there's a steady demand for skilled biotechnologists in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and environmental science. This translates to strong job prospects and competitive salaries. You can get started in biotech in a relatively short period of time. Biotech graduates, even with only an associates degree can expect competitive starting salaries, potentially in the $60,000 range or more. Currently, the ACC Biotech Program boasts a 100% job placement rate. Opportunities are available locally, within Texas, and nationally.

• Lifelong Learning: Biotechnology's ever-evolving nature fosters perpetual learning, ensuring practitioners remain updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs. Through our program at ACC, free training options are available.

• Accessible Entry: Many students harbor scientific aspirations but are deterred by rigorous math prerequisites. Biotech at ACC offers a reprieve with its minimal math requirements. The only math required is college algebra.

What skills do I need to become a biotechnologist?

• Passion for Impact: A genuine desire to make a positive difference in the field of biotechnology.

• Versatility: A preference for hands-on work that offers diverse opportunities in terms of job roles, work environments, and tasks.

• Continuous Learning: An enthusiasm for acquiring new knowledge and the ability to multitask effectively.

• Attention to Detail: Being meticulous and precise in observations and procedures.

• Adherence & Documentation: The ability to follow instructions diligently and maintain thorough records of experiments and results.

Why should I choose biotech at ACC specifically to study biotech?

• Authentic Exposure: ACC's program integrates valuable internships, offering students direct, practical experiences.

• Current Industry Insight: With courses facilitated by seasoned professionals from the biotech field, the curriculum remains current of the latest industry standards and practices.

• Immersive Learning Environment: Particularly in the second year, ACC's biotech courses simulate the environment of genuine biotech enterprises. This approach, distinguishing it from typical science courses, ensures students get a genuine feel of their future workspaces.

• Engagement with ACC Bioscience Incubator: ACC provides a platform for students to engage with its Bioscience Incubator, a hub dedicated to provisioning the Austin life sciences sector with cost-effective, state-of-the-art lab facilities. Its ambition is to stand as a premier incubator, chiseling students into job-ready candidates and nurturing groundbreaking bioscience ventures.

• Dual Enrollment Benefit for UT Students in UT-ACC Biotech: This collaborative scheme invites University of Texas (UT) students to enroll concurrently in ACC and UT. They stand to gain a post-baccalaureate certification in Biotechnology while pursuing their 4-year Biochemistry program at UT. As part of this, UT students can select biotechnology modules at either EVC or RRC. While the usual trend sees students commencing these modules in their second or third years, those zealous about a biotech career are encouraged to begin sooner.

How can you get more information?

For more information, email sspulock@austincc.edu or fill out the inquiry form

Links:

ACCs Biotech homepage