Biotechnology Laboratory Assistant Certificate

The biotech industry has grown tremendously over the past several years.  This growth has generated an increasing number of interesting and challenging entry-level jobs.  There is now a large demand for workers who are qualified for these positions. This certificate program is designed to give a rigorous and engaging introduction to the biosciences while strengthening the math and language skills needed for success in these entry level positions. The Biotechnology Lab Assistant Certificate will prepare students for jobs as media prep technicians, laboratory aids or laboratory safety monitors. No previous experience or coursework in science is necessary for entry into the Program.  Students will gain valuable work experience in an internship in a bioscience laboratory.

The minimum time for completion of this certificate is 2 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and number of classes completed per semester.


If you are intersted in the Biotechnology Laboratory Assistant Certificate contact Bob Del Vecchio (rdelvecc@ccsf.edu) for help designing a pathway that meets your goals.

Prerequisites

The Biotechnology Lab Assistant Certificate is open to any student, no previous science training is required.  Students should be familiar with basic algebra and have an English level of ENGL 88 or ESL 188, or readiness for college-level English. 

Students begin this certificate program with the Bridge to Biosciences.

Courses Required for the Certificate of Achievement in Biotechnology Lab Assistant (Effective Spring 2021) - download a PDF

Course                                                                                                      Units

BTEC 14A - Biotechnology Laboratory Techniques                            3  (Bridge to Biosciences)

BTEC 108A - Practical Mathematics for Laboratory Science             2  (Bridge to Biosciences)

BIO 11 - Science of Living Organisms                                                   4  (Bridge to Biosciences)

BTEC 15 - Career Exploration in Bioscience                                     2

BTEC 12A - GLP and GMP Principles                                                     1

CHEM 32 - Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry                                4

CMST 1A - Elements of Public Speaking                                               3


 Choose one of the following courses

BTEC 4 - Introduction to Biotechnology                                               3

BTEC 5 - Briefings in Biotechnology                                                      1


 Choose at least 2 units from the following advanced biotechnology courses

BTEC 20 - Mammalian Cell Culture                                                       3

BTEC 22 - Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)                 1

BTEC 23 - Western Blotting Techniques                                               1

BTEC 24 - Introduction to PCR                                                               1

BTEC 25 - Analytical PCR Technology                                                   1

                                                                               Total:                22 - 24 units


Click here for the older certificate description, effective through Fall 2020

Students can enroll in other Biotechnology Programs after completion of the Biotechnology Laboratory Assistant Program.  Talk to a Biotechnology Program faculty member for more information.