More information: Science, Science AS - Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Major
PURPOSE
The associate degree in Science is designed for persons who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university in a major that requires a background in the natural or physical sciences and mathematics. With the many advances taking place in all areas of science, the opportunities for persons with expertise in this area are rapidly increasing. This program provides the necessary training for transfer into a broad range of scientific fields, from botany to zoology and from chemistry to geoscience to physics and math. In addition, the Science degree is designed to meet the requirements for admission to a professional school or upper-division major for career preparation in many of the medical professions including dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.
The Biotech Laboratory Technician major is designed for persons to gain the knowledge and basic laboratory skills needed for entry-level employment as a laboratory technician in biotech or research laboratories. The opportunities for persons with expertise in this area are rapidly increasing. While this program prepares persons for immediate employment as a laboratory technician, it also includes courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics needed for transfer into baccalaureate degree programs, providing a pathway to further education and career advancement.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Program graduates demonstrate:
- Basic lab skills, and effectively communicate laboratory data and information from the scientific method and apply the interdisciplinary approach of science to society
- Competency with word processing, spreadsheets, and ability to create, analyze and interpret charts, graphs, and data tables as related to the scientific fields
- Basic content knowledge and laboratory skills in two of the following disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics, or intermediate content knowledge and laboratory skills in Chemistry
- Ability to interpret and use mathematical formulas and apply them to lab experiments using scientific reasoning
- Fluency with algebraic, exponential functions and manipulations necessary for success in statistical and mathematical calculations
This degree satisfies the requirements for the Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS). The specific UCGS courses or elective options are identified in the program road map.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- General college curricular admission
PROGRAM NOTES
Certain high school units are strongly recommended for the Science degree:
- Four units of English
- Three units of college preparatory mathematics
- Two units of laboratory science
- Two to three units of foreign language
Students completing the Associate of Science in Science degree must complete two Humanities/Art/Literature courses from two different categories: Arts, Humanities, or Literature. Students may not complete both Humanities/Art/Literature requirements within the same category.
Course selection should also take into account the requirements of the four-year institution to which the student intends to transfer, as transfer institutions may have specific preferences or requirements for Humanities/Art/Literature coursework. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their Advisor early in their program of study to ensure course selections support both graduation and transfer goals. Students are advised that grades of C or higher are required for a course to transfer to a 4-year institution.
COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT
Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by passing the computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, or by completing ITE 152 . Students not passing the computer competency exam for ITE 152 may retake the exam only once.
