A.S. in Biotechnology

Biotechnology involves the application of biology to develop new products and technologies to combat disease, reduce our environmental impact, provide cleaner fuel sources, improve food production, and create safer industrial processes. The Citrus College Biotechnology A.S. degree includes a mix of basic science courses and hands-on laboratory classes designed to provide essential technical training and experiences necessary to thrive in this growing industry. Students will gain the conceptual knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to obtain entry-level employment as biological technicians, manufacturing production technicians, quality control technicians, and environmental monitoring technicians in bioscience laboratories and companies. The program emphasizes work readiness skills, such as resume writing, teamwork, and communication. This degree is intended for students who wish to enter the workforce upon completion.

A.S. Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Biotechnology A.S. Degree will:
 
  1. Calibrate and safely operate standard equipment and instrumentation utilized in biotechnology.
  2. Document laboratory activities, experimental data, and procedures following Good Documentation Practice (GDP).
  3. Describe the principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), and perform tasks in accordance with these standards and established safety procedures.
  4. Explain how biotechnology tools may be applied to address societal challenges.
  5. Describe key concepts in quality and how regulatory oversight shapes the biotechnology industry.
  6. Prepare for a job interview and generate a resume appropriate for entry-level positions in biotechnology.

This degree requires meeting the Citrus College General Education and proficiency requirements combined with successful completion (grades of "C" and above) of the following major requirements:

Required courses: 1
Select either BIOT 107 or BIOT 108:
Biotechnology: Transforming Society Through Biology3
Intro to Biotechnology: Real World Biology Applications4
BIOT 110Biotechnology I: Basic Lab Skills and Documentation5
BIOT 125Quality and Regulatory Practices in Biotechnology3
BIOT 150Biotechnology II: Biomanufacturing and Quality Principles4
MATH 165Introductory Statistics 24
or MATH 165H Introductory Statistics - Honors
Select either chemistry sequence:
College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry II
10
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
10
Total Units29-30
1

Students may need to fulfill prerequisites before enrolling in required courses. Students are advised to consult the Citrus College catalog or speak with a counselor for more information.

2

MATH 165 is degree applicable with or without MATH 065. If taken with MATH 065, only the units for MATH 165 will be counted towards the degree.

2-Year Curriculum Map Example
This map represents one possible pathway through the program and is only for reference.

*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.

Note: Co-requisite MATH course (2 units) and/or substitute ENGL 101E (5 units) may be needed based on placement.

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
BIOT 110 Biotechnology I: Basic Lab Skills and Documentation 5
ENGL 101
Reading and Composition
or Reading and Composition - Honors
4
BIOT 107
Biotechnology: Transforming Society Through Biology
or Intro to Biotechnology: Real World Biology Applications
3
 Units12
Winter Term 1
MATH 165
Introductory Statistics
or Introductory Statistics - Honors
4
 Units4
Spring Term 1
BIOT 125 Quality and Regulatory Practices in Biotechnology 3
BIOT 150 Biotechnology II: Biomanufacturing and Quality Principles 4
ETHN 101
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies
3
ARCH 250
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism
or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day
or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History
or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art
or History of Photography
or Introduction to the Visual Arts
or Motion Picture Appreciation
or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors
or History of Dance
or History of Rock and Roll
or Introduction to Theatre Arts
or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors
3
 Units13
Summer Term 1
ENGL 104
Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking
or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors
3
 Units3
Fall Term 2
CHEM 103 College Chemistry I 5
SPCH 100
Interpersonal Communication
or Interpersonal Communication - Honors
or Public Address
or Public Address - Honors
or Small Group Communication
3
ANTH 210
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
or Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors
or Introduction to Psychology
or Introduction to Psychology - Honors
or Introduction to Sociology
or Introduction to Sociology - Honors
3
ENGL 290
Ethnic Voices in Film
or Children's Literature
or Children's Literature - Honors
or Literature of the Bible
or American Food And Culture: Global Origins, History, and Current Impacts
or Great Religions of the World
or Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
3
 Units14
Winter Term 2
POLI 103
American Government and Politics
or American Government and Politics - Honors
3
 Units3
Spring Term 2
CHEM 104 College Chemistry II 5
ARCH 250
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism
or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day
or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History
or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art
or History of Photography
or Introduction to the Visual Arts
or Motion Picture Appreciation
or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors
or History of Dance
or Ethnic Voices in Film
or Children's Literature
or Children's Literature - Honors
or Literature of the Bible
or American Food And Culture: Global Origins, History, and Current Impacts
or History of Rock and Roll
or Great Religions of the World
or Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
or Introduction to Theatre Arts
or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors
3
KIN 170
Fitness for Life
or Health and Wellness
or Health and Wellness - Honors
or Introduction to Nutrition
3
HIST 107
History of the United States before 1877
or History of the United States before 1877 - Honors
or History of the United States since 1877
or History of the United States since 1877 - Honors
or History of the African-Americans to 1876
or History of the African-Americans since 1876
or History of Women in the United States
3
 Units14
 Total Units63

 Note: Course selections may affect total unit value. 

Career Opportunities

There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.

 

To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.