Biotechnology Laboratory Technology, A.S.

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The Biotechnology Laboratory Technology Program is a two-year program at Santa Fe College that prepares you to go directly into a specialized career locally or nationally in one of the most exciting emerging fields today. Graduates from our program will be given hands on experience in techniques including mammalian, plant, yeast & bacteria cell culture, DNA/RNA/protein extraction and purification, Western & Southern blot analysis, PCR (including rt & q-PCR), ELISA, enzyme activity assays, and genetic cloning & sequencing. Upon completion of the A.S. in biotechnology students will qualify for entry level associate or technician level positions at several local companies or academic/governmental laboratories. The program also provides a sound basis for further education in the sciences by giving students hands-on biotechnology laboratory experience. The program is sustained by a formal partnership between Santa Fe College, University of Florida and industries related to biotechnology. The curriculum, faculty and facilities were established with guidance from local employers to meet student needs.

Potential Careers

Biological Technician
Cell Culture Technician
Research Assistant
Laboratory Technician
Quality Control Technician
Bio-Manufacturing Associate
Validation Technician

Requirements for Admissions

Acceptance Criteria

In order to qualify for the first semester of Biotechnology courses, students must:

Demonstrate college readiness in reading, writing, math, and science. College level algebra and [introductory chemistry (or higher) or core biology] must be taken prior to or during the first semester.

Be able to perform the following essential functions:

Have a 2.0 overall GPA in previous coursework.
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, pipetting, and manual entry of data into computers.
Demonstrate microscopic and macroscopic visual acuity required to perform all technical activities requiring visual skills.
Computer Requirement
Access to and on-going use of a computer is required for all students. The Emerging Technologies department expects each student entering the BLT program, to acquire computer hardware and software appropriate to his or her degree program. Competency in the basic use of a computer is required.

Program Cost, Scholarships and Aid

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

Program Costs Breakdown

Tuition for 61 Credit Hours:

$6,512.97 Florida Residents
$23,356.90 Non-Florida Residents

Lab Fees: *Cost varies per course

Textbooks:

$1,740.00 (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:

$8,475.97 Florida Residents
$25,319.90 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.

Program Goals and Outcomes

Students will be able to Conduct research or assist in research, including the collection of information and samples, water, soil, plants, and animals.
Students will possess the technical background to Analyze experimental data and interpret results from biotechnology research.
Students Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
Students display proficiency in, computer-interfaced equipment.
Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing.
Students Isolate, identify, and prepare specimens for examination.
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.

Program Length, Format and Curriculum

The Biotechnology Laboratory Technology Program is a two year (24 month) program.

Program Specific Biotechnology courses have extensive hands on in person laboratory requirements. The program is a total of 61.00 credit hours including pre-requisites.

Santa Fe College prepares you to go directly into a specialized career locally or nationally in one of the most exciting emerging fields today. Graduates from our program will be given hands on experience in techniques including mammalian, plant, yeast & bacteria cell culture, DNA/RNA/protein extraction and purification, Western & Southern blot analysis, PCR (including rt & q-PCR), ELISA, enzyme activity assays, and genetic cloning & sequencing. Upon completion of the A.S. in biotechnology students will qualify for entry level associate or technician level positions at several local companies or academic/governmental laboratories. The program also provides a sound basis for further education in the sciences by giving students hands-on biotechnology laboratory experience. The program is sustained by a formal partnership between Santa Fe College, University of Florida and industries related to biotechnology. The curriculum, faculty and facilities were established with guidance from local employers to meet student needs.

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

Term 1

MAC1105 College Algebra (3 credit hours)
BSC1421 Intro to Biotech (3 credit hours)
BSC1421L Intro to Biotech lab (1 credit hour)
ENC1101 College Comp. (3 credit hours)

Term 2

Social Science (2 credit hours)
Science lecture and lab (4 credit hours)
BSC2426C Methods 1 (3 credit hours)
STA2023 Statistics (3 credit hours)

Term 3

MCB2010 Microbiology (3 credit hours)
MCB2010L Microbiology Lab (1 credit hour)
BSC2427C Methods 2 (3 credit hours)
BSC2423C Proteins (3 credit hours)

Term 4

BSC2416C Cell Culture (3 credit hours)
CHM2124C Quantitative Chem (3 credit hours)
ETI2160C Metrology (3 credit hours)
ETI2170 QA and Regulatory (3 credit hours)

Term 5

MLT2191 Histology (3 credit hours)
MLT2191L Histology Lab (1 credit hour)
ETI2411 Manufacturing (3-D printing) (3 credit hours)
ETI2411L Manufacturing lab (3-D Printing) (1 credit hour)
Humanities (3 credit hours)

Term 6

BSC2435 Bioinformatics (1 credit hour)
BSC2847 Scientific Communication for Biotechnology (2 credit hours)
BSC2943 Biotechnology Internship (3 credit hours)

Performance Standards

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

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

Program completion rates

2019 – 89%
2020 – 98%

Employed

2019 – 99%
2020 – 100%

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

Most students in the Biotech A.S. degree track into the Clinical Laboratory Science or Industrial Biotechnology B.A.S. degrees. In that case, these students would only be required to complete an internship at the B.A.S. level.

The required biotech internship hours are 240 at a biotech facility. However, most students in the Biotech A.S. degree track into the Clinical Laboratory Science or Industrial Biotechnology B.A.S. degrees. In that case, these students would only be required to complete an internship at the B.A.S. level.

Cost of Attendance

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)	$9,679	$2,619
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$4,228	$4,228
Transportation	$1,976	$3,062
Total	In-State: $19,229 Out-Of-State: $25,856	In-State: $13,255 Out-Of-State: $19,882

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor 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)	$9,679	$2,619
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$4,228	$4,228
Transportation	$1,976	$3,062
Total	In-State: $19,698 Out-Of-State: $26,958	In-State: $13,724 Out-Of-State: $20,984

*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).

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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Biotechnology Laboratory Technology, A.S.

Program Overview