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Biotechnology & Good Manufacturing Practice

Associate Degree & Certificate Program

Defining “Biotechnology”

Biotechnology is the practical application of science developed by a cluster of diverse fields with a common link. It utilizes living organisms to manufacture products intended to improve the quality of life. The practical applications of biotechnology can be found in the following sectors:

• Pharmaceutical products (medications)
• Agriculture (genetically modified organisms)
• Research
• Bioremediation (removal of environmental pollutants)

Day and Evening Short Training Courses in:

Customizable course content and scheduling are available to meet company needs. These training courses are designed for researchers, laboratory technicians, manufacturing technicians, QC and QA Personnel, and Chemistry and Biology students.

For more information, please contact Isso Bayala, Biotechnology & Good Manufacturing Practice Program Instructor, ibayala@quincycollege.edu.

Career Spotlight

  • Process Development Associate
  • Validation Specialist Facilities Technician
  • QA Documentation Coordinator
  • Manufacturing Technician-Upstream
  • Manufacturing Technician-Downstream
  • Chemistry QC Technician
  • Microbiology QC Technician

The average starting salary for associate’s degree holders in Biotechnology is $40,000-50,000.


Download the Biotechnology & Good Manufacturing Practice Overview Booklet.

 

Biotechnology & Good Manufacturing Practice Courses
    •  
    • Code
    • Course
    • Credits
    • BIO 251
    • Microbiology w/Lab
    • 4
    A study of non-pathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms designed primarily for students in the health sciences area. Topics covered include: microbial characteristics, control of microorganisms, defenses of the host, and cause, prevention, and control of infectious diseases. Microbial metabolism, structure and classification will be looked at first, followed by host- pathogen interactions and immunology. The laboratory includes basic techniques in staining, cultivation, and identification of microorganisms. Prerequisite: BIO 111 with “C” or better.
    • BTC 101
    • Introduction to Biotechnology
    • 4
    This course is designed to introduce the student to the role of biotechnology in the fields of medicine, environmental science, forensics, microbes and agriculture. The student will explore the theory, tools and application behind the genetics involved in these fields. This lab-based, hands-on course will expose the student to the techniques and equipment utilized in scientific laboratories around the world. Prerequisites: CHE 121/131 and/or BIO 111/121. One course allowed concurrently.
    • BTC 210
    • Biochemistry
    • 4
    This course is designed to introduce the student to the biochemical principals involved in the synthesis, structure and function of biologically important molecules (Proteins, Lipids, Carbohydrates and Nucleic Acids). Examination of the intricate relationship between the structure and function of these molecules will give insight into the biological processes of the living cell. Topics will include: catalytic activity and kinetics of enzymes; how molecules outside the cell regulate what happens inside the cell; how understanding the biochemistry of these molecules has spurred the growth of a relatively new industry - Biotechnology. Prerequisites: CHE121 and MAT103 with “C” or better. This course includes an additional 3-hour lab.

    • BTC 220
    • Bio manufacturing I
    • 4
    This course is the second in the series of cornerstone courses in Biotechnology and Compliance and the first of three courses in Bio manufacturing. This lab-based course is designed to introduce the student to the high-tech world of manufacturing prescription drugs. The course begins with an overview of bio manufacturing, its rapid growth and the industries need for well trained employees. We examine the need for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and their requirements for current good manufacturing practices (cGMP). The student will become skilled in the techniques and equipment necessary to manufacture a recombinant protein. The goal of the course is to manufacture a mammalian protein in bacteria following cGMP’s and standard operating procedures through upstream and downstream processes. Quality control methods will stringently test the protein product and validate its purity. Prerequisites: CHE121/131, BIO111/121, and BTC101.
    • BTC 230
    • Bio manufacturing II
    • 4
    This course is the third in the series of cornerstone courses in Biotechnology and Compliance and the second of three courses in Bio manufacturing. This lab-based course is designed to give students experience in various aspects of bio manufacturing including but not limited to: Process development, Quality Control, Environmental Health and Safety, and Upstream and Downstream Processing. The course begins with the aseptic techniques involved in the culturing and preservation of mammalian and yeast cells. Scale-up techniques (upstream processing) will then be used to culture a 1 milliliter volume of cells (106) into 3-10 liter columns containing many trillions of cells (1012). An in-depth discussion of downstream processing techniques such as tangential flow filtration and protein purification systems will be utilized to purify a protein product (drug) from the cell media. Strict adherence to current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) will be followed and the protein products will be tested and validated for purity. Prerequisites: CHE 121, BIO 111, BIO 251, BTC 101, BTC 201, BTC 220.
    • BTC 240
    • Seminar in Biotechnology
    • 1
    Seminar-style capstone course covering professional topics in Biotechnology and Good Manufacturing Practice, including but not limited to: discussion of emerging technologies, innovations, and new products that are noteworthy to the biotechnology industry; the steps involved with the regulatory approval process for a new biotechnology-derived product, and; key issues associated with adequate quality-control systems, assays and stability for novel biotechnology products. Students, working in teams, will give written and oral presentations on case studies that attempt to predict products derived from the new innovations and discoveries. The objective of the course is to give the student insight into the process of translating scientific discovery into innovative products. Prerequisite: BTC 220.
    • BTC 250
    • Bio manufacturing III
    • 4
    This course is the fourth in the series of cornerstone courses in Biotechnology and Good Manufacturing Practice and the final courses in biomanufacturing. This lab-based course is designed to give students experience in manufacturing a retail product – Science Laboratory Kits. Applying technical skills acquired from previous manufacturing course work, students will design science kits to be used in Quincy College’s science labs as well as high school science class. Students will write standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for the production of kit components, write experimental protocols for use by science teachers in the lab, manufacturing kit components following SOP’s as well as assemble and validate the kits. Strict adherence to current good manufacturing practices will be applied. Prerequisites: CHE121/131, BIO111/121, BIO151/152, BTC101, BTC220. Co-requisites: BTC 230.
    • BTC 260
    • Chromatography
    • 4
    Chromatography is one of the most powerful analytical chemistry tools used for separation, purification, and identification of compound mixtures. The compounds range from vitamins, proteins, toxins, and environmental pollutants such as pesticides, herbicides, petroleum products to performance-enhancing substances. This hands-on-lab course is designed to equip students with basic but valuable life science workforce skills and prepare them for advanced level chromatography courses. At the end of this course, students will be able to conduct basic operations associated with various chromatography equipment and understand their specific applications. Prerequisites: CHE 121.
    • BTC 270
    • Chromatography II
    • 4
    Chromatography is a fundamental tool widely used in chemistry, biology, medicine, and environmental science to separate, purify, identify, and quantify compound mixtures. These compounds range from molecules in blood samples such as vitamins, toxins, or proteins to environmental pollutants known as pesticides, herbicides, petroleum hydrocarbons and performance enhancing substances such as steroids. This lab-based course is designed to familiarize students with one of the most reliable techniques used in various areas of modem life science industry. The course will teach students the theory behind the separation mechanisms and explain the selection of instruments, methods or mobile phases based on the type of test to be performed. At the end of this course, students will be able to conduct method development and validation, set up equipment, prepare samples and perform data analysis. Prerequisites: BTC 260.
    • CHE 121
    • General Chemistry I w/Lab
    • 4
    A study of the fundamental chemical laws and theories. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, chemical and physical properties, change of state, solution chemistry and gas laws. Prerequisite: MAT 103 with “C” or better.
    • CHE 122
    • General Chemistry II w/Lab
    • 4
    A continuation of General Chemistry I. Additional topics include: solution properties and equilibria, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and nuclear chemistry. Also, an introduction to organic chemistry along with a survey of biochemical applications. Prerequisites: CHE 121 with “C” or better.
    • CHE 213
    • Organic Chemistry I
    • 5
    This course is the first semester of a two-semester course. Lecture topics include: Fundamental concepts of the carbon-containing compounds will be introduced. Topics include nomenclature, electron delocalization, resonance, stereochemistry, conformational analysis, synthesis, structure and reactivity relationships and spectroscopy. Lab skills learned include: Understanding of laboratory safety, organic laboratory techniques used to separate, identify, and purify chemicals, and selected instrumental analysis. Laboratory techniques to be mastered include, but are not limited to, filtration, distillation, extraction, evaporation, recrystallization, sublimation, centrifugation, chromatography, and spectrophotometry. Prerequisite: Successful completion of CHE 121 and CHE 122 with “C” or better.
    • ENV 101
    • Introduction to Environmental Studies
    • 4
    This introductory course utilizes numerous case studies of current environmental health and safety issues. Lecture topics include: Human/ecological exposure to pesticides and hazardous substances, acid rain, ozone depletion, global warming, and biodiversity. Students will gain environmental literacy by learning about the science behind these issues, the role of the media in public awareness, and subsequent regulation to protect environmental health and safety. Lab skills learned: Conduct hands-on experiments covering a broad range of topics including chemistry, biology, ecology, toxicology and earth science. This course will provide a foundation for students who wish to have a career in environmental science and provide non-majors with a good working knowledge to help them discriminate between valid environmental concerns and unsubstantiated claims. Safety protocols must be observed in all lab classes. These include: no food, no drink, and no-open-toe shoes, appropriate clothing. Only registered students may enter labs.
    • PHL 103
    • Medical Ethics
    • 3
    This course will examine a number of value problems arising from the broader context of ethical systems and explore them within the context of medicine and health care. Among the ethical problems, particular considerations will be given to euthanasia, abortion, genetic research, and human experimentation. Issues of medicine and the public interest will also be discussed. Open to all students. Placement at ENG 101 level strongly advised.
    • PHY 111
    • General Physics I
    • 4
    This is an algebra-based physics course designed to introduce students to ideas of measurements, units, motion, force, energy, momentum, rotation, and fluids. Students will analyze the motion of physical systems including objects in free-fall, objects moving at a constant velocity, objects moving with constant acceleration, collisions between multiple objects, and systems undergoing rotation. During the lab component of the course, students will design and perform experiments, collect and analyze data, and communicate experimental results. Prerequisite: MAT 103 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher. Strongly recommended: MAT 113 or MAT 204

Associate of Science Degree

The Biotechnology Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the biomanufacturing industry. Students will develop a broad laboratory science- based background through courses focused in the life and chemical sciences, and will obtain industry-specific knowledge in the areas of quality control (QC), process development (PD), and upstream and downstream processing, while following current, good manufacturing practices (cGMP). In addition, students will learn valuable laboratory techniques and instrumentation, and develop critical thinking skills. Upon successful completion of the program, students may enter the workforce directly as entry-level laboratory technicians or research assistants, or may transfer to a four-year university to continue their studies at the baccalaureate level.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this program, the student should be able to:

  • Practice ethical standards of integrity, honesty, and fairness in scientific practices and professional conduct.
  • Apply appropriate computer software and hardware skills to accomplish biotechnology lab tasks.
  • Demonstrate technical knowledge of specialized techniques and instrumentation relating to biomanufacturing.
  • Communicate thoughts, orally and in writing, in a clear well-organized manner that effectively informs scientific principles and lab techniques.
  • Perform basic molecular biology & biochemical techniques.
  • Apply GMP documentation to biomanufacturing.
  • Perform all aspects of upstream and downstream processing in biomanufacturing.
  • Develop critical thinking skills to solve complex scientific problems.

Certificate Program

The Biotechnology Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the biomanufacturing industry. Students will develop a broad laboratory science- based background through courses focused in the life and chemical sciences, and will obtain industry-specific knowledge in the areas of quality control (QC), process development (PD), and upstream and downstream processing, all while following current, good manufacturing practices (cGMP). In addition, students will learn valuable laboratory techniques and instrumentation, and develop critical thinking skills. Upon successful completion of the program, students may enter the workforce directly as entry-level laboratory technicians or research assistants.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this program, the student should be able to:

  • Practice ethical standards of integrity, honesty, and fairness in scientific practices and professional conduct.
  • Apply appropriate computer software and hardware skills to accomplish biotechnology lab tasks.
  • Demonstrate technical knowledge of specialized techniques and instrumentation relating to biomanufacturing.
  • Communicate thoughts, orally and in writing, in a clear well-organized manner that effectively informs scientific principles and lab techniques.
  • Perform basic molecular biology & biochemical techniques.
  • Apply GMP documentation to biomanufacturing.
  • Perform all aspects of upstream and downstream processing in biomanufacturing.
  • Develop critical thinking skills to solve complex scientific problems.

 

Program Requirements – 22 Credits Totals

CourseTitleCredit
BTC 101Introduction of Biotechnology w/Lab4
BTC 102Buffer and Media Preparation2
BTC 103Technical Writing in Biomanufacturing 3
BTC 202Protein Purification2
BTC 220Biomanufacturing I4
BTC 230Biomanufacturing II4
BTC 240Seminar in Biotechnology1
MAT 103College Algebra3

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