Biotechnology Career Studies Certificate

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Career Certificate Studies
221-149-01

Purpose: This curriculum is designed for individuals who seek additional skills to gain employment in the fields of Biotechnology, Health Sciences, or Scientific Research.

Program Objectives: Coursework in this program will provide students with exposure to entry and advanced level skills that may lead to employment in fields related to biotechnology, health sciences, and scientific research. Students will gain an understanding of essential laboratory techniques including utilizing standard operating procedures and quality control methods, aseptic techniques, and key skills related to nucleic acid and protein analysis.

Developmental Requirements: Students who do not place into college-level English on the placement test will be required to take developmental courses prior to enrollment in this program. Students who do not demonstrate proficiency on the placement test in the following mathematical units will be required to complete developmental courses: MTE 1 , MTE 2 , MTE 3 , MTE 4 , MTE 5 , MTE 6 , MTE 7 , MTE 8 , MTE 9 .

The developmental education requirements will need to be completed before taking CHM 111 (MTE 1 -MTE 9 ).

Prior to First Year

Students must have completed one of the following:

BIO 101 - General Biology I 4 CR OR
BIO 173 - Biology for Biotechnology 4 CR

First Year

Fall Semester

BIO 252 - Nucleic Acid Methods 4 CR
CHM 111 - College Chemistry I 4 CR *

Spring Semester

BIO 205 - General Microbiology 4 CR *
BIO 251 - Protein Applications in Biotechnology 4 CR

Total Minimum Credits for Degree: 20

* This course has a prerequisite. Prerequisites for all courses are listed in the course description section at the back of the catalog.

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Biotechnology program must have applied and been admitted to Virginia Western.

Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to credit-level coursework established by the college.
Applicants must currently be enrolled in the AS Science, AAS Medical Laboratory Technician, or related program at Virginia Western or have completed a degree in a similar field.
Applicants must have a cumulative high school or college-level GPA of 2.0. College GPA is based on at least 12 credit hours of college credit in a 12-month time frame. The GPA is determined at the end of fall semester prior to admission.
Applicants must complete the program application located at http://www.virginiawestern.edu/academics/stem/programs/biotech.php

Admission Procedures: Admission to the program is competitive. Students are admitted twice a year in December and May. Prospective applicants who are accepted into the program must attend an information session. While applications are accepted at any time, to be eligible for admission the application packet must be submitted by October 1^st for December admission and March 1^st for May admission. Applications may be accepted after this date if there are spaces remaining.

Letters are emailed to students in December and May regarding admission. The application must be submitted to the Biotechnology program head prior to October 1 and March1 deadlines. The applicant is responsible for making certain that the following have been submitted in addition to the college application: completed Biotechnology application form and transcript (unofficial from any Virginia community college or official from another college). Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin, or other non-merit factors.

Applicants should be aware that meeting the curriculum admission standards does not guarantee program admission. Students interested in this program should consult the Biotechnology page for additional information and responsibilities. The page can be accessed through the Virginia Western website at http://www.virginiawestern.edu/academics/stem/programs/biotech/index.php