Goals for BIT109 Students

• Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

  • Work in the bioscience laboratory environment, applying principles of safety, quality and teamwork.

  • Carry out common laboratory measurements (weight, volume, temperature, pH and light) demonstrating understanding of the limits of detection, principles of calibration, and limits in the precision and accuracy of the instrumentation used.

  • Perform calculations needed to prepare solutions, make dilutions, maintain records and evaluate data in bioscience laboratory environment.

  • Use an understanding of microbiological principles and properties to work effectively in a standard laboratory experiments.

  • Communicate clearly and succinctly the purpose, procedures, results and interpretation of data collected from measuring/monitoring equipment and from laboratory experiments.

Critical work functions for individuals employed in bioscience technology include: (1) maintain a safe and productive work environment, (2) provide routine facility support, (3) perform measurements / tests / assays, (4) comply with applicable regulations and standards, (5) manage and communicate information, and (6) perform mathematical manipulations.  

Underlying all of these work functions are a foundation of many important competencies, which include personal characteristics, academic knowledge, and workplace behaviors. The BIT program builds on these skills as students develop technical competencies that will equip them to work in a variety of industry sections within bioscience technology. The cooperative education / work experience provides further opportunity to develop industry-specific skills.

For more information, please see: https://innovatebio.org/resource/bioscience-skill-standards

Throughout program curriculum, instructors will provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of entry level bioscience technicians.  Some useful definitions and examples of these terms:

• Knowledge: the ideas, concepts, and other information that a person retains; in other words, the demonstration of what you know.

  • Example from BIT 109: definitions of acids and bases, pH and buffers.

• Skills: the tasks and activities that a person can complete; in other words, the demonstration of what you can do with your technical skills.

  • Example from BIT 109: calibrating pH meters and obtaining accurate pH measurements.

• Abilities: behavior capabilities that people possess; in other words, the demonstration of achieving results by drawing upon knowledge and skills as required by a situation.

  • Example from BIT 109: ability to prepare a buffer from chemical stocks, while communicating and sharing duties with a lab partner, managing time efficiently, and minimizing reagent waste.

As instructors in this Career Technical Education field, your instructors in Bioscience Technology aim for the development of knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to train job-ready technicians with well-rounded skill sets. For many students, enrollment and participation in Bioscience Technology courses may represent a new experience compared to past coursework. Much of scientific education focuses on the development of knowledge through lectures and exams, while not specifically preparing students for the workplace where technical skills and behavioral abilities are critical for job success. Performance in BIT coursework models the types of tasks students may be expected to perform in a workplace setting, and, as seen in the examples above from BIT 109, successful completion of these tasks depends not only on academic knowledge but also technical skill sets and ability to communicate, organize and plan activities, and manage time and resources in the lab.

In the BIT program, your instructors expect not only academic competency, but also technical competency, workplace competency, and personal effectiveness, as outlined in the U.S. Department of Labor Bioscience Competency Model. The instructional staff commits to supporting you in your education and realizes that the development of a broad skill set is a lifelong process, of which your enrollment at PCC may be just the beginning. As such, we embrace a safe educational setting where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, where student self-reflection and instructor feedback provide constructive training, and where growth is possible through the relationships that develop in an environment of trust, mutual respect, commitment to excellence, and continuous improvement and learning.

Students will be evaluated on the following technical skills during the lab practical exams.

1. Accurately and consistently measure mass using analytical balances and precisely transfer measured quantities between containers

2. Accurately and consistently measure volumes using graduated cylinders and precisely transfer measured quantities between containers

3. Accurately and consistently measure and transfer liquids using serological pipettes (1 to 25 mL quantities) 

4. Accurately and consistently measure and transfer liquids using micropipettes (<1 mL quantities) 

5. Calibrate a pH meter and accurately and consistently measure pH values of solutions

6. Calibrate a conductivity meter and accurately and consistently measure conductivity values of solutions

7. Apply understanding of pH and buffers to identify the buffering capacity of a solution 

8. Thoroughly document the equipment, reagents, and materials used for lab procedures (such as the preparation of a buffer solution)

9. Thoroughly and accurately perform and document calculations required for common lab procedures (such as the preparation of a buffer solution)

10. Thoroughly and accurately document protocol steps required for common lab procedures (such as the preparation of a buffer solution)

11. Consistently apply good documentation practices when recording materials, methods, data, and interpretations in a laboratory notebook

12. Accurately and consistently measure absorbance values of solutions

13. Accurately and consistently prepare serial dilutions

14. Perform the Bradford assay to accurately and consistently determine protein concentration values

15. Correctly use a standard curve to accurately interpolate concentration values of unknown solutions

Students participate in a self-reflection survey at both the beginning and end of the term regarding the traits and behaviors required for jobs in bioscience. In BIT109, these are introduced as topics for awareness and growth. In later BIT courses, these same traits and behaviors are further evaluated for transferable skills and fit and readiness for bioscience industry positions.

Ability to Follow Directions

Ability to Maintain Perspective

Ability to be Self Critical

Ability to Take Criticism

Ability to Handle Stress

Ability to Take Initiative

Approachability

Assertiveness

Attention to Detail

Common Sense

Conflict Management / Resolution Skills

Consistency

Creativity

Curiosity / Ability to Question

Dedication

Dependability

Diversity Understanding

Drive / Determination

Endurance

Flexibility / Adaptability

Friendliness

Generosity

Honesty

Initiation

Integrity

Intelligence

Leadership

Maturity

Mechanical ability

Motivation (to do the work)

Multi-tasking Ability

Persistence

Physical Energy

Preciseness

Problem Solving Ability

Organization skills

Resiliency

Resourcefulness

Respectfulness

Respect for Authority

Responsibility

Self-Confidence

Self-Control

Sense of Humor 

Sense of Ownership

Tactfulness

Team Player

Tenacity

Willingness to Learn

Work ethic