Associates Degree
Raymond Walters College
What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is the industrial use of living organisms or their products to improve human health and food production. Biotechnology encompasses the life science fields of molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry, and also relies on the fields of computer science and engineering.
What would I learn in the Biotech Associates Degree program?
The Laboratory Technology: Biotech Associates Degree program offers students who are interested in biology an opportunity to gain the skills needed to become an active member of a laboratory research team. The program is designed to prepare students for the day-to-day tasks of working in a biological research laboratory. Students will gain both a theoretical understanding of chemical and biological principles as well as an intensive hands-on experience in basic chemistry and biological laboratory skills. Students will learn essential laboratory techniques in molecular biology, cell biology, protein chemistry, laboratory robotics, microbiology, and cell culture. In addition, students will learn to maintain and manage data and follow safe laboratory practice.
What courses would I take?
The coursework is designed to be completed in 2 years, but may be extended over a longer period of time to fit your needs.
Freshman Year:
Summer:
Sophomore Year:
Can I do an internship in a biotechnology lab?
Students of the Laboratory Technology: BioTech program will have the opportunity to participate in an optional internship during their sophomore year. The internship will be performed in a biomedical research or pharmaceutical laboratory in the local area. The internship will be for a maximum 20 hrs/week and is expected to be paid and earn credits towards the degree. Students participating in the internship will gain hands-on work experience as well as gaining valuable contacts for permanent employment opportunities.
What are my job opportunities?
The Biotechnology industry is rapidly expanding and is always in need of technicians. Students of the Laboratory Technology: BioTech program can expect to be employed in laboratories working in biomedical and cancer research, molecular and cell biology, pharmaceutical research and production or genomics. Job opportunities exist in government, industry, and universities. Typical starting salaries for biotechnology technicians range from $25,000-$35,000/year. The opportunity for permanent employment is enhanced by the optional BioTech internship .
I already have a Bachelor's in biology (or chemistry) but can't get a lab tech job. What can I do?
Consider a professional certificate in Biotechnology. We offer a 1 year course of study that emphasizes the practical, hands-on laboratory experience. Most Bachelor's students do not get intensive lab experience in college and find they are either unprepared to work in or can not get a job in a university or industry lab. The Biotechnology Certificate classwork will give you the practical skills you need to work in a lab.
Courses for the Biotechnology Certificate are
How do I get more information?
Contact: Dr. Suzanne Bradshaw, Department of Biology, Raymond Walters College, 9555 Plainfield Rd. Cincinnati OH 45236. Phone 513-936-1642. E-mail suzanne.bradshaw@uc.edu