Industrial Biotechnology, B.A.S.

Program Overview

Industrial biotechnology uses living cells, such as bacteria and yeast, or enzymes to make bio-based products in industrial sectors such as chemicals, food, detergents, textiles and bioenergy (biofuels or biogas).

The Industrial Biotechnology program prepares you for a career in biomanufacturing, quality control, or research and development. You will get extensive, hands-on training in various aspects of genetic modification and assay development, as well as training in the financial, regulatory and organizational skills needed to work in the industrial biotechnology field.

In order to qualify for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Industrial Biotechnology, students must:

Be able to perform the following essential functions:

  • Ability to use oral and written communication effectively in the English language and to read, understand and follow directions both written and oral.
  • Display manual dexterity required to perform laboratory tasks, e.g. operation of various instruments, performance of pipetting procedures, and manual entry of data into computers.
  • Demonstrate microscopic and macroscopic visual acuity required to perform all technical activities requiring visual skills.
  • Have a 2.5 overall GPA in previous coursework.
  • Have earned a minimum of an Associate in Science or Associate in Arts degree or 60 credit hours* from a regionally accredited educational institution.
  • Have successfully completed the following common program prerequisite courses (or appropriate substitutions) with a grade of C or higher:
    • BSC2010 & 2011 Core Biology 1&2 with Lab (8 credits)
    • MAC2233 Survey Calculus (4 credits)
    • PHY2053 & 2054 General Physics 1&2 with Labs (8 credits)
    • CHM2045, 2046, 2210, 2211 General Chemistry & Organic Chemistry with Labs (16 credits)
    • STA2023 Statistics (3 credits)

*Applicants that have not completed an Associate's degree may need to complete general education and foreign language requirements.

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Program Costs Breakdown

Tuition for 9 Credit Hours (Industrial Biotechnology Core Courses - Lower Division):

  • $960.93 Florida Residents
  • $3,446.10 Non-Florida Residents

Tuition for 46 Credit Hours (Industrial Biotechnology Core Courses - Upper Division):

  • $5,811.18 Florida Residents
  • $19,726.18 Non-Florida Residents

Tuition for 37 Credit Hours (General Education Requirements):

  • $3,950.49 Florida Residents
  • $14,167.30 Non-Florida Residents

Tuition for 28 Credit Hours (Additional Prerequisites Courses):

  • $2,989.56 Florida Residents
  • $10,721.20 Non-Florida Residents

Lab Fees: *Cost varies per course

Textbooks:

  • $1,213.00 (buying used at Barnes & Noble)

Internship Fees:

  • $123.00 Background Checks (if required)
  • $100.00 Drug Screen (if required)
  • *Cost varies - Physical (dependent on provider and insurance)

Program Cost Totals:

  • $15,148.16 Florida Residents
  • $49,496.78 Non-Florida Residents

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe College students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply.

Financial Aid

There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. Please visit the Financial Aid page for more information and how to apply.

Graduates from this program will be competitive in the biotechnology job market due to their extensive hands-on training. Students will be proficient in the application of modern scientific techniques in an industrial setting. The skill sets they will be trained in include but are not limited to:

  • Genetic modification, amplification, and transfer between species of organisms used in the bio-industrial production of pharmaceuticals, materials, energy, and agricultural products.
  • Assay development for the detection and quantification of biological and xenobiotic compounds of interest within a biological matrix.
  • The financial, regulatory, and organizational aspects involved with the management of a bio- industrial research and development laboratory or bio-industrial production facility.
  • Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.
  • Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
  • Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
  • Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
  • Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
  • Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
  • Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs.

This is an example of an academic timeline. Course offerings are subject to change.

Term 1

  • BCH3023 Biochem (3 credit hours)
  • PCB3063 Genetics (3 credit hours)
  • PCB3703C Human Physiology (3 credit hours)
  • BSC2426C Biotech Methods I (3 credit hours)

Term 2

  • PCB3134/L Molecular Biology (4 credit hours)
  • PCB4233 Immunology (3 credit hours)
  • BSC2423C Proteins (3 credit hours)
  • BOT4734C Plant Biotech (3 credit hours)

Term 3

  • BSC4422C Applied Biotech (3 credit hours)
  • BSC2427C Biotech Methods II (3 credit hours)
  • MCB4503 Virology (3 credit hours)

Term 4

  • MCB4653C Applied Micro (3 credit hours)
  • PCB4028 Molecular Pharm (3 credit hours)
  • CHM4136C Bioanalytical Chem (3 credit hours)
  • BSC4463 Seminar (1 credit hour)

Term 5

  • ETM4830 Computer Aided Manufacturing (3 credit hours)
  • ETI3173C Applied Manufacturing (3 credit hours)
  • BSC2416C Cell Culture (3 credit hours)
  • BSC4910C Internship (2 credit hours)

Program Exit Requirements

Students will complete either an internship (BSC4191) or an independent research project (BSC4910C) as part of the requirements for the B.A.S. program. The internship will include on campus attendance as well as placement at an internship site approved by the program coordinator. The B.A.S. degree in Industrial Biotechnology will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the College's curriculum totaling 120 credit hours. A minimum 2.5 overall GPA is required for internship assignment, and students must earn a grade of "C' (2.0) or higher in required courses with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA for graduation.

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the organizational structure of a bioscience workplace.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of legislative regulations in a bioscience workplace.
  • Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills by analyzing data collected in a bioscience workplace.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the specific skills-sets employed in a bioscience workplace.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of workplace professionalism and communication.

Program Effectiveness captures the quality of a program using qualitative data such as program completion and job placement.

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy and Santa Fe College in Gainesville have teamed up to provide Santa Fe students with a streamlined path to pharmacy school. The two institutions announced the Pharmacy Early Assurance Program, or PEAP. PEAP will assist Santa Fe students in preparing to become a pharmacist by offering workshops, mentoring, and training opportunities. Participants who fulfill the program’s requirements will receive a guaranteed interview for the UF College of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program. Students in Industrial Biotechnology take all the prerequisite courses for UF’s pharmacy school, giving them an even greater advantage. Furthermore, they will graduate prepared for a career in the booming biotechnology sector.

Program Completion rate

  • 2019 - 98%
  • 2020 - 99%

Employed in field

  • 2019 – 100%
  • 2020 – 100%

Note: This degree is not contingent on passing any external exams or licensures.

Required Internship: B.A.S. students have several options to complete this requirement. Internship hours at a site are 240. Alternatively, the student may design a research project or combine internship hours with research.

Disclosure

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not the bill that you will receive from Santa Fe College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Santa Fe College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance below are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.

Undergraduate Lower Division Courses (A.A./A.S. Degree Courses)
  Off-Campus* Off-Campus with Parent**

Tuition and Fees

In-State: $106.77 per credit
Out-Of-State: $382.90 per credit

In-State: $2,563

Out-Of-State: $9,190

In-State: $2,563

Out-Of-State: $9,190

Books, Course Materials,
Supplies, and Equipment

$783 $783
Living Expenses
(Food & Housing)
$10,367 $3,654
Miscellaneous
Personal Expenses
$2,394 $2,394
Transportation $1,197 $3,942
Total

In-State: $17,304

Out-Of-State: $23,931

In-State: $13,336

Out-Of-State: $19,963

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor's Degree Courses)
  Off-Campus* Off-Campus with Parent**

Tuition and Fees

In-State: $126.33 per credit
Out-Of-State: $428.83 per credit

In-State: $3,032

Out-Of-State: $10,292

In-State: $3,032

Out-Of-State: $10,292

Books, Course Materials,
Supplies, and Equipment
$783 $783
Living Expenses
(Food & Housing)
$10,367 $3,654
Miscellaneous
Personal Expenses
$2,394 $2,394
Transportation $1,197 $3,942
Total

In-State: $17,773

Out-Of-State: $25,033

In-State: $13,805

Out-Of-State: $21,065

*Off-Campus: you intend to live off-campus but not with your parent(s).

**Off-Campus with Parent: you intend to live with your parent(s) or other relatives.

Note: All costs and rates are subject to change for the upcoming year.

For more detailed information, visit SF's Cost of Attendance page.

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