Biotechnology Laboratory Technician

Program Code: SAC.BTLT.CA

Program Control Number: 32959

This certificate curriculum is designed to prepare students with the skills they need to work in the upstream processing area of a biotechnology company or provide them with the foundation necessary to transfer to a 4 year university to continue their studies in biotechnology .

The major goal of the Biotechnology Lab Technician Certificate of Achievement is to provide students with information and skills which will provide employment and entry-level opportunities in the biotechnology sector, which includes many industries from food processing to medical device manufacturing. This degree will allow student to move immediately into jobs in the biotechnology field or to continue with an AS Biotechnology degree and transfer to university in STEM related majors for further study.

By completing this certificate of achievement, students will have obtained proficiency in basic and more advanced laboratory skills, and will have been exposed to fundamental theory and general education necessary to transfer and succeed in related Bachelor’s degree programs. By having a coordinated collaboration between the four campuses in Orange County, students will benefit by having multiple opportunities to seek to experience extracurricular informational events in the field of biotechnology. This degree meets the needs of the emerging and growing biotechnology sector in Orange County. Although this program is a coordinated collaboration between colleges, no formal MOU has been signed. Additionally, a student can choose to enroll in this program, take all of the courses, and graduate with a degree from Santa Ana College. Students do not have to take courses at the other campuses.

Learning Outcome(s):

1. Offer a Certificate of Achievement for a Biotechnology Lab Technician at Santa Ana College (SAC) in collaboration with Santiago Canyon College (SCC) Fullerton College (FC), and Irvine Valley College (IVC).
2. Develop further industry involvement and internship opportunities for students.
3. Have 10 student completers for Biotechnology Lab Technician Certificate by 2026.