BTEC 108A covers math concepts used in a typical biotechnology laboratory.  Interactive and traditional problem solving methods. BTEC 108A is an online course with optional, recorded Zoom meetings that go through the Rcourse material, work example problems, and answer student questions.  Zoom meetings are on Thursdays, 2:00 - 3:15.

BTEC 108A is part of the Bridge to Bioscience, a program designed to prepare students for more advanced course work in biotechnology, biology, or health science.  The Bridge to Bioscience leads to more advanced programs in the Biotechnology Program.

Topics covered in the course

1. Background on lab techniques to be covered in the math problems

2. The metric  system and converting between units

3. Scientific notation

4. Ratio and proportions

5. Preparing molar and percent solutions

6. Preparing solutions

7. Dilutions using dilution factors, proportions, and the C1V1 = C2V2 equations

8. Accuracy needed in calculations for making solutions

9. Serial dilutions

10. Logarithms, antilogarithms, pH, pOH, [H+], [OH-]

11. Graphing linear relationships such as standard curves and semi-log growth curves. Growth curves, standard curves

12. Using Excel/Google Sheets for data analysis of medium size sets of data

13. Basic statistics

    • Accuracy and precision

    • Percent error

    • Standard deviation

    • Coefficient of variation