Biotechnology Certificate
Award: Certificate in Biotechnology
No. of credits required: 32
For more information: Contact Associate Professor Jaclyn Madden, 443-412-2046, jmadden@harford.edu (August 15 - June 15); stem@harford.edu; or Admissions, 443-412-2109.
Program Description
The biotechnology certificate prepares students with the concepts, techniques, and skills identified by biotechnology industry members as needed for immediate employment in biotechnology, chemical, and biological laboratories. The certificate program is suitable for students currently working in biotechnology or medical technology fields or for those who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in a science field and want to update their skills with additional training. The biotechnology industry is expected to continue to grow in Maryland and the region.
Program Goals
- Explain the basic principles, concepts, and techniques of biotechnology.
- Apply principles, methods, and quantitative skills to novel problems and situations.
- Execute biotechnology laboratory tasks utilizing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs).
- Demonstrate critical thinking and scientific process skills.
- Evaluate appropriate sources of scientific information.
- Analyze the role of biotechnology in society and employ the skills of scientific communication.
- Demonstrate professional judgement and behaviors that adhere to principles of the responsible conduct of research.
Certificate Requirements
Students earning a certificate from HCC must complete or demonstrate exemption from the following courses: ENG 003 Reading and Understanding College Textbooks and ENG 012 Basic Writing, or ENG 018 Integrated Reading and Writing, and MATH 020 Pre-Algebra I. See graduation requirement details in this catalog for further information.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 120 | General Biology I (GL) | 4 |
| BIO 128 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GL) | 4 |
| BIO 211 | Microbial Biotechnology | 4 |
| BIO 212 | Principles of Biomanufacturing | 4 |
| BIO 213 | Cell Culture Techniques | 4 |
| BIO 214 | Molecular Techniques | 4 |
| BIO 215 | Immunology Principles and Applications | 4 |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
Note: It is recommended that students complete the required courses for the biotechnology certificate in the sequence they are listed.
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)