Biotechnology Course Descriptions

BTC 150 BIOETHICS

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: ENG 002 or BSP 4002
This course introduces the current ethics issues surrounding the biotechnology industries. Topics will include risk assessment, the relationships between science, technology, and society, and the effects of new biotechnology products upon the natural world. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and critical thinking skills in decision-making related to bioethical issues.

BTC 181 BASIC LAB TECHNIQUES

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Local Prereq: Take One: MAT 070, MAT 080, MAT 090, MAT 095, MAT 120, MAT
121, MAT 161, or MAT 175
OR
Take All: DMA 010, DMA 020, DMA 030, and DMA 040
This course introduces the basic skills and knowledge necessary in a biological or
chemical laboratory. Emphasis is placed on good manufacturing practices, safety,
sustainable lab practices, solution preparation, and equipment operation and maintenance
following standard operating procedures. Upon completion, students should be able to
prepare and perform basic laboratory procedures using labware, solutions, and equipment
according to prescribed protocols. There is an $11.25 lab fee for this course.

BTC 182 PHARMA LAB TECHNIQUES I

Prerequisites: BTC 181
Corequisites: None
Additional Fees: $22.50 Lab
This course covers theoretical and technical aspects of dissolution testing and Karl Fischer titrations performed during routine drug stability testing by pharmaceutical industries. Emphasis is placed on solution preparation, drug extractions, dissolution testing, Karl Fischer titrations, and dissolution method development and validation. Upon completion, students should be able to successfully perform and document dissolution testing and Karl Fischer titrations while simultaneously adhering to current good manufacturing practices (cGMP).

BTC 183 PHARMA LAB TECHNIQUES II

Prerequisites: BTC 182
Corequisites: None
Additional Fees: $22.50 Lab
This course covers theoretical and technical aspects of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) performed during drug stability testing by pharmaceutical industries. Emphasis is placed on HPLC grade solution preparation, drug extractions, assay testing, impurity testing, HPLC method development, and method validation. Upon completion, students should be able to successfully perform and document pharmaceutical HPLC drug testing while simultaneously adhering to current good Laboratory practices (cGLP).

BTC 250 PRINCIPLES OF GENETICS

Prerequisites: BIO 111
Corequisites: None
This course covers the basic principles of genetics. Topics will include Mendelian
inheritance, gene mapping, molecular genetics, and regulation of gene expression,
population genetics, quantitative genetics, and the genetics of cancer. Upon completion,
students should be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of genetics and the
principles of heredity.

BTC 270 RECOMBINANT DNA TECH

Prerequisites: Take One Set:
Set 1: BTC 181 and BTC 250
Set 2: BTC 181 and BIO 250
Corequisites: None
This course covers basic methods in biotechnology for the manipulation of nucleic acids.
Emphasis is placed on topics concerning techniques used in recombinant DNA
technology, including PCR, restriction digests, mapping, cloning, and forensics. Upon
completion, students should have an understanding of the theory, practice, and
application of recombinant DNA techniques. There is an $11.25 lab fee for this course.

BTC 275 INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY

Prerequisites: Take One: BIO 110, BIO 111, BIO 163, BIO 165, or BIO 168
Corequisites: None
This course covers principles of microbiology and the impact microorganisms have on
man and the environment in industrial settings where controlled environments are
commonplace. Topics include the structure and physiology of various classes of
microorganisms, microbial pathogenicity, infectious diseases, identification schemes, and
prevention or minimization of contamination in biomanufacturing industrial settings.
Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills including
microscopy, aseptic technique, staining, culture methods, identification of
microorganisms, and performing environmental monitoring. There is an $11.25 lab fee for
this course.

BTC 281 BIOPROCESS TECHNIQUES

Prerequisites: BTC 181
Corequisites: None
Local Prereq: Take BTC 181 with a grade of C or better
This course covers processes used in the production of biomolecules. Emphasis is placed
on the production, characterization, and purification of biological products using
fermentation, centrifugation, filtration, electrophoresis, and other techniques used in
industry. Upon completion, students should be able to produce biological products using
the various methods of bioprocessing. There is a $22.50 lab fee for this course.

BTC 285 CELL CULTURE

Prerequisites: Take One: BIO 175 or BIO 275
Corequisites: None
Local Prereq: Take BTC 181 with a grade of C or better
This course covers principles of microbiology and the impact microorganisms have on
man and the environment in industrial settings where controlled environments are
commonplace. Topics include the structure and physiology of various classes of
microorganisms, microbial pathogenicity, infectious diseases, identification schemes, and
prevention or minimization of contamination in biomanufacturing industrial settings.
Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills including
microscopy, aseptic technique, staining, culture methods, identification of
microorganisms, and performing environmental monitoring. There is an $11.25 lab fee for
this course.

BTC 286 IMMUNOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES

Prerequisites: BTC 285
Corequisites: None
This course covers the principles and practices of modern immunology, including the
interactions between the various cellular and chemical components of the immune
response. Topics include antigens, humoral immunity, cellular immunity, complement,
immunological assays, and hybridoma use and production. Upon completion, students
should be able to discuss the immune response, perform immunological assays, and make
monoclonal antibody-producing hybridomas. There is an $11.25 lab fee for this course.

BTC 287 ADV MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES

Prerequisites: Take One Set:
Set 1: BIO 175 and BIO 250
Set 2: BIO 175 and BTC 250
Set 3: BIO 275 and BIO 250
Set 4: BIO 275 and BTC 250
Corequisites: None
This course provides students with experience in molecular techniques employing
modern procedures, equipment, and technology. Topics include cloning, sequencing and
analysis of DNA samples, PCR/qPCR/RT-PCR, DNA typing (STR analysis),
microarrays, and bioinformatics applications. Upon completion, students should be able
to discuss and perform advanced genetic, biochemical, and bioinformatic procedures
using reagents and equipment according to prescribed protocols.