Are you interested in a career in biotechnology?

NEW Biotechnology Applications and Planning Sheets 
The application for the 2008-9 Biotechnology Lab specialist program can now be downloaded from the application link on this page.  Any student intended to take the core Biotech classes in the second year of the program must complete and submit the application by Friday May 2^nd.  Applications will continue to be accepted after this deadline if space is available. 

Students interested in a Biotech Certificate
Step 1 – Print the new planning sheet and indicate if you have fulfilled the prerequisites either by taking the classes at Shoreline or another college within the last 5 years.  If you have an equivalent professional experience that you would like to substitute for a class then meet with a Biotech advisor, who will decide it is acceptable. 

Step 2 – Complete the new application and mail it to the Biotech program director along with the planning sheet from step 1, and a copy of your transcript(s) that document the completion of prerequisite classes.

Students interested in a Biotech Degree
Step 1 – Print the new planning sheet and indicate if you have fulfilled the prerequisites either by taking the classes at Shoreline or another college within the last 5 years.  Please indicate the grades you have received for each of these classes. Indicate the time when you plan to take classes that have not been completed.

Step 2 – Complete the new application and mail it to the Biotech program director along with the planning sheet from step 1, and a copy of your transcript(s) that document the completion of prerequisite classes.

Acceptance into the program
Students accepted into the program will receive notification by the first week of June. Acceptance into the program guarantees each student a space in all of the Biotech core courses in the second year of the program. At that time, you will be asked to confirm continued interest in the program.  We recognize that personal situations can change that might now allow you to enroll in the program.  Please let us know so that we can offer that space to other interested students.

Biotechnology is an exciting and rapidly expanding field. Biologists and other scientists working in research and development use biotechnology techniques for the production of genetically engineered drugs, gene therapy, microbiology, virology, forensic science, agriculture and environmental science. Biotechnology laboratories are found in educational institutions, public health facilities and private corporations.

The Biotechnology Laboratory Specialist Program at Shoreline Community College prepares students for careers in biotechnology research and development. The program goal is to provide practical, “hands-on” learning and familiarity with cutting edge techniques, technologies, and equipment. Students gain a working knowledge of molecular biology, recombinant DNA, immunology, protein purification and tissue culture -- both through classroom lectures and laboratory learning experiences. The curriculum also provides a foundation in a variety of math and science disciplines including algebra, statistics, chemistry, biology, microbiology and computer science.

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:

• Assist research scientists in the laboratory.
• Perform technical procedures such as cell counting, solution and media preparation, DNA extraction and characterization, electrophoresis, cloning, polymerase chain reaction, ELISA and other immunology techniques, maintenance of cell lines transfection, fermentation, protein isolation and purification using various chromatographic techniques.
• Conduct research experiments following operating and safety protocols and apply knowledge of theory and techniques to troubleshoot appropriately.
• Analyze and display data using computer technology including the Internet and software designed for maintaining a database, preparing spreadsheets, conducting statistical analysis, and graphical display.
• Manage laboratory activities including record keeping, ordering supplies and preparing reports.

The Biotechnology Program offers students great flexibility:

AAAS degree
A two-year program for those without a science background. The first year curriculum provides a foundation in math and basic sciences. The second year focuses on applied biotechnology and includes courses in Molecular Biology, Chemistry Technology, Recombinant DNA, Immunology, and Tissue Culture.

Certificate of Proficiency
A one-year program for students with prior scientific training and/or experience.

Internships
Degree and certificate candidates “intern” in local Biotechnology labs as part of their programs of study.

New Biotechnology Skill Standards Report
2007_skill_standards low resolution version (7 megabytes).pdf
2007_skill_standards high resolution version (45 megabytes).pdf
Shoreline Community College has completed and published a report of a 2007 project to update the Biotechnology/Biomedical Skill standards. The original skill standards project, completed in 2000 (http://www.wa-skills.com/biotechbiomed.html), has been extremely useful to guide the development of biotech programs and articulation agreements in the northwest as well as other regions of the country. For the 2007 report, Shoreline Community College worked with its Industry Advisory Committee to assess the state of the industry in the region and to revise the cluster structure (major work areas) of the 2000 skill standards. The new clusters are 1) Research and Development, 2) Regulatory Affairs and 3) Manufacturing. A multi-employer focus group consisting of front-line workers and leaders met to evaluate the relevance of the 2000 skill standards and to remove outdated skills from the report. The second goal of this focus group was identify changes that have taken place in the last 6 years that require the acquisition of new skills for biotech laboratory technicians entering the workforce. Finally, the focus group was asked to predict future industry trends. A separate series of interviews with industry leaders was conducted to address this same issue. The new report contains the detailed results from the focus group and interviews as well as the updated outcomes. It will be used to update the curriculum of regional Biotech programs and articulation agreements. For anyone interested in accessing the report, the PDF can be downloaded in two forms: A low resolution PDF suitable for viewing online and a high resolution PDF that can be printed.

Shoreline Community College is the Northwest Region Bio-Link Center for Biotechnology Education

©2007 Shoreline Community College. All rights reserved.