The Biotechnology Program provides high-quality classroom and laboratory experience and training to meet the demands of the rapidly growing and expanding biotechnology industry. It also provides the foundation for graduates pursuing a bachelor's and/or graduate degrees.

We offer two curriculum tracks

• One-year Level I Certificate
• Two-year Associate Degree

The program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in biotechnology, biological research and industrial laboratories, using techniques at the forefront of modern laboratory technology. The graduates are biotechnology technicians competent in basic research and development of products from biological systems. Graduates are employed as laboratory technicians and laboratory managers in private, federal and academic laboratories and institutions.

The program is a balanced curriculum of science, liberal arts, and technical courses, including didactic and internship education.

• Is El Centro College an accredited institution?
• Is the Biotechnology Program accredited?
• How long is the program?
• How many students do you accept each year?
• What are the courses like?
• What basic competencies do all the graduates acquire?
• How do the skills acquired in the certificate program compare to the AAS degree plan?
• Are any courses taken off-campus?
  
• How do I get to the clinical sites?
• Does El Centro College have on-campus housing?
• Do I need a physical examination prior to entering the program?
• What about drug testing and criminal background checks?
• What are the physical demands and skills of the biotechnician?
• What are the working conditions for a biotechnician?
• What about my safety when handling specimens?
• What other educational opportunities are available?
• What linkages does El Centro College have with other colleges and universities?
• What activities are biotechnicians involved in?
• Are there any areas of specialization?
• Are there any Board examinations after graduation?
• Do I need to be licensed or registered after graduation?
• Are there any courses I should take in high school to help me prepare?
• Whom do I contact for more information?

The Biotechnology program begins in the Spring 2002 semester and is not yet accredited.
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The El Centro College Biotechnology program offers individuals the choice of a one-year Level I Certificate or a two-year Associate Degree program,depending upon their prior experience and career goals. Both are designed to prepare the graduate for entry-level positions in biotechnology, biological research and industrial laboratories.

The Certificate program is designed primarily for those students who already hold a degree but wish to gain pertinent laboratory experience prior to employment, those who wish to change careers, or those seeking advancement in their current career. A Certificate will be awarded to students completing the program with a 2.0 Quality Point Average (QPA) or higher.

Those student who complete the A.A.S. Degree may enter the workforce directly or matriculate to a Bachelor's Degree Program. Students who are interested in transferring to a four-year college should consult with the program advisor. Articulation agreements with select Texas universities insure credit transfer and facilitate the university admission process.
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The Biotechnology Program courses are offered on a full-time basis during the daytime. The curriculum covers the basic principles of chemistry, biology, and microbiology; analytical chemistry; laboratory instrumentation; and growth, isolation, and characterization of microorganisms. Biotechnology students study the theories of modern advances in biotechnology, molecular biology, DNA and RNA technology, genetics and bioethics. The program focuses on the analytical techniques and materials basic to commercial development of useful products from biological systems and microorganisms.

Studies also include:

• Laboratory management and safety
• Laboratory operations, planning
• Recording and reporting experiments
• Caring for equipment and living cells, cell and tissue culture
• Pipetting
• Technical writing
• Statistical analysis

The general studies component of the curriculum is to develop written and oral communication skills, develop computational skills, and provide exposure to the humanities, behavioral sciences, and mathematics.

The final semester will include a capstone internship which will provide a transitional experience from course work to workplace.

If the student works while in school has significant family responsibilities, he or she is encouraged to take the general education "support" courses (Biology, Humanities, etc.) prior to entrance into the Biotechnology Program. The program is rigorous, and many students find that taking the support courses first enables them to complete the program successfully while maintaining other responsibilities as well.

The curriculum patterns of the Biotechnology program may be viewed online.
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It is critical that biotechnology technicians be able to prepare a variety of complex media, solutions, and other lab materials. Basic competencies include:

• Preparing solutions and reagents
• Operating scientific instrumentation
• Preparing analysis samples
• Recombinant DNA techniques
• Culturing mammalian and plant cells
• Purifying and/or characterizing DNA and proteins
• Collecting and assessing data

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• Prepare biological and chemical solutions
• Make and maintain animal tissue cell lines
• Purchase materials for the laboratory
• Make up media and petri dishes
• Use gel apparatus- horizontal and vertical
• Use balances and other instruments for weights and measurements
• Use pH meters, spectrophotometers, autoclaves, centrifuges, UV detectors and gamma counters
• Make detailed observations, record data, and where appropriate interpret results
• Maintain laboratory inventory levels for supplies
• Concepts of concentration, molarity, pH, and how it alters buffers and their function
• Aseptic technique
• Laboratory statistics
• Computer fundamentals (not programming)
• Basic math skills
• Writing and reading skills

Two-year associate degree graduates will additionally have more advanced competencies in molecular biology, laboratory instrumentation, separation technology, hybridoma technology, and fermentation technology

• Microbiology skills in fermentation technology
• Performance of bioassays and interpretation of results
• Transfection techniques
• Use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies
• Perform EIA
• Perform nucleic acid hybridization

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Students are responsible for providing their own transportation. It is necessary to consider transportation costs to the college, as well as hospitals throughout the city. Students are responsible for any parking fees.

El Centro students enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during the Fall and Spring semesters and at least 4 credit hours during Summer semesters are eligible for a free DART bus and light rail pass during those semesters.
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No. El Centro College is located in the heart of downtown Dallas. Students are responsible for providing their own housing.
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A pre-entrance physical examination and immunization record form will be sent with acceptance letters. Results of the medical examination must be reported on the designated program medical examination form which is submitted at the registration seminar for that accepted class.

The form documents a medical history, physical examination, and current record of the following immunizations:

• Tuberculin skin test within the last 6 months (if positive, chest x-ray required within last 2 years)
• Tetanus/diphtheria current within 10 years
• Measles/mumps/rubella ("MMR") including 2 doses of measles vaccine required either separately or in combination (MMR)
• Hepatitis B series
• Varicella disclaimer

Students must have completed the first injection of the Hepatitis B series prior to registration for the Biotechnology program and are responsible for submitting documentation verifying subsequent completion of the second and third injection to the Health Occupations Admissions Office. Health situations (i.e., pregnancy, allergies, and nursing mothers) that may prohibit the use of the hepatitis B vaccine must be documented by a physician, and a waiver signed by the student.

You may visit a private physician, clinic, health maintenance organization, or medical center for the medical examination. The immunizations are available for students through the El Centro College Health Center for a reduced cost. Please call 214.860.2113 to make an appointment. Chest x-rays and physical exams are not provided at the El Centro College Health Center.
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All clinical facilities require all students attending their facility have a current Drug and Background Screen. The prescreening requirements are the same as those required of employees. All screens must be conducted after admission to the clinical program, but within 30 days prior to the start of the agency rotation. Verification of the satisfactory results must be received by the participating hospital prior to the student's rotation start date, and will be honored by all hospitals for the duration of the student's enrollment in the clinical program if the participating student has not had a break in the enrollment at the college.

The student is solely responsible for payment of all fees at the time of the screens (approximately $80). All reports and findings from the Background and Drugs screens will be reported directly to El Centro College Health Occupations Administration. The results of the screening can prevent clinical placement.

The rationale for the screening is that of due diligence and competency assessment of all individuals whose assignments bring them in contact with patients or employees. Competency extends beyond technical skills to an individual's criminal and substance abuse history. This approach ensures uniform compliance with Joint Commission standards pertaining to human resource management.

The drug screen follows National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) guidelines and screens for ten substances as designated in the Substance Abuse Panel 10 ("SAP 10"). These substances are:

SAP 10 test results which fall outside of any of the acceptable ranges are considered positive test results and are automatically sent for a separate confirmatory test by a Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) method. If these results remain positive, the test results are sent to a Medical Review Officer ("MRO") which will entail an additional cost of $25 - $75 to the student. The MRO will then contact the student to determine if there is a valid prescription for the drug in question. If a valid prescription exists and is verified, the test result will be deemed to be negative and acceptable.

Note: A clinical agency reserves the right to remove a student from the facility for suspicion of substance use or abuse, including alcohol. The clinical agency will notify the El Centro College Health Occupations administration to facilitate immediate removal of the student and request that the student submit to a repeat drug screening procedure at the student's expense on the same day of removal from the clinical agency. Failure to comply will result in immediate expulsion from the clinical agency. Further, regardless of testing or test results, the agency reserves the right to expel any student form their facility. The agency will provide El Centro College Health Occupations administration with written documentation of the student's behavior(s) by tow or more agency representatives.

The criminal background check reviews a person's criminal history seven (7) years previous to the date of program application. The check will include all cities and counties of the person's residency during that time period. The following histories will disqualify an individual from consideration for a clinical rotation:

• Felony convictions
• Misdemeanor convictions or felony deferred adjudication involving crimes against persons (physical or sexual abuse)
• Misdemeanor convictions related to moral turpitude (prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, etc.)
• Felony deferred adjudication for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances
• Registered sex offenders

Exceptions:

• If a licensing/registry body approves the individual to take the licensing/credential exam, the individual may participate in the clinical rotation
• The college may request an exception form the first clinical agency for a student with a felony deferred adjudication and no alternate recourse through a licensing/registry Updated and Maintained byity, i.e. Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas. Following approval from the first clinical agency, the student may progress as stated above.

Note: Should a student accepted to a health occupations program be prohibited from attending a clinical rotation experience due to findings of a criminal background check and/or drug screening, the student may be dismissed form the health occupations program.

For more information regarding the criminal background check and drug testing requirements, please contact Ms. LaCheeta McPherson, Associate Dean of Allied Health by phone at 214.860.2271 or e-mail (mlm5544@dcccd.edu).
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Biotechnology personnel need good analytical judgment and the ability to work under pressure. Close attention to detail is essential, because small differences or changes in test substances or numerical readouts can be crucial. Manual dexterity and normal color vision are highly desirable. With the widespread use of automated laboratory equipment, computer skills are important. In addition, biotechnologists are expected to be good at problem solving.

Skills and personal qualities needed include:

• Good or corrected vision as well as good eye/hand coordination and manual dexterity to observe, safely manipulate and evaluate biotechnology instrumentation and procedures
• Ability to distinguish between fine color graduations
• Good hearing to assess biotechnology instrumentation and communicate with fellow staff and employers
• Good listening skills and ability to communicate clearly
• Detail orientated
• Precision and accuracy
• Ability to follow detailed instructions
• Aptitude for science course work
• Sufficient intellectual and emotional abilities to exercise independent judgment and discretion in the safe technical performance of the biotechnology techniques.
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to work as team members
• Self-motivated and able to work alone with minimal supervision

Latex Advisory: Latex products are used in health care professions. They occur with universal precautions and in environments such as, but not limited to: Health Occupations classrooms and labs; hospitals, nursing care facilities; laboratories, clinical areas, and medical/dental offices. Individuals with latex allergies should seek expert advice from their health care provider to receive information necessary for an informed decision regarding their exposure to latex in the health care professions.
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Job opportunities include: medical schools, pharmaceutical and industrial companies, colleges, universities and rapidly new emerging occupations.

Hours and other working conditions vary according to the size and type of employment setting. Laboratories usually are well lighted and clean; however, specimens, solutions, and reagents used in the laboratory sometimes produce odors.
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Biotechnology personnel are trained to work with infectious specimens. Few hazards exist to your safety when proper methods of infection control and sterilization are followed.
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After graduation from the Biotechnology Program, the biotechnician may further his or her education and acquire higher level degrees by transfer to a four-year institution. This qualifies a graduate for higher level technical and managerial positions within the industry and allows them to pursue a graduate degree.

Further educational opportunities include degrees such as Bachelor's Degree Programs in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Applied Molecular Biology. Students who are interested in transferring to a four-year college should check with the program advisor.
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They perform complex chemical, biological, molecular, immunologic, and bacteriological tests. Biotechnicians in small laboratories perform many types of tests, whereas those in large laboratories generally specialize.

Activities may include the following:

• Perform supervisory and administrative duties
• Supervise clinical laboratory technicians
• Use microscopes, a variety of chemicals, computers and precision instruments to perform complex analyses
• Make cultures of body fluid and tissue samples, to determine the presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other microorganisms
• Develop laboratory techniques and procedures
• Conduct research
• Evaluate test results
• Develop and modify procedures
• Establish and monitor programs to insure the accuracy of tests
• Perform DNA amplification and sequencing

Graduates have the potential to specialize as:

• Biotechnology Technicians - work in biotechnology companies under direct supervision to complete scientific work and conduct experiments in research and development or production laboratories .
• Laboratory Technicians - work in various biological and biochemical companies and private or public agencies to complete scientific work and conduct experiments in research and development or production laboratories.
• Research Technicians - Assist on projects under direct supervision, such as by conducting scientific work and performing standardized tests.
• Quality Control/Assurance Technicians - use physical, chemical and biological test equipment and instrumentation to conduct product performance/characteristics, ensuring regulatory compliance and minimizing liability, and to test that the product is within acceptable tolerance.
• Genetic research technicians - work in food, medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing firms laboratories as part of a team led by a principal investigator. Specialized areas include molecular genetics, biochemical genetics and plant genetics.
• Clinical Research Associates - often employed by pharmaceutical companies to design, plan, implement and direct research projects involving new drugs. Typical job duties include making a drug application to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), monitoring the record keeping of the drugs being administrated to volunteers in research studies, inspecting labs to verify accreditation, working with nurses and doctors to ensure that patients' charts accurately reflect treatment.
  

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as research scientists, junior scientists, entry level scientists, associate scientists, and process scientists.
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There are currently no available Board examinations specific to Biotechnology.
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There are currently no licensure or registration requirements in Texas.
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To help you prepare for college courses leading to the Biotechnology degree, helpful high school courses include:

We have a list of contacts available at El Centro College.

You may also download an information packet in acrobat format.

NOTE: The El Centro College Health/Legal and Continuing/Workforce Education Division reserves the right to make changes in program enrollment capacity. Program guidelines are subject to change. Students are advised to obtain the latest program information from the Health Occupations Admissions Office (Room A-140).