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
- Calibrate and safely operate standard equipment and instrumentation utilized in biotechnology.
- Document laboratory activities, experimental data, and procedures following Good Documentation Practice (GDP).
- 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.
- Explain how biotechnology tools may be applied to address societal challenges.
- Describe key concepts in quality and how regulatory oversight shapes the biotechnology industry.
- 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:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: 1 | ||
| Select either BIOT 107 or BIOT 108: | ||
| Biotechnology: Transforming Society Through Biology | 3 | |
| Intro to Biotechnology: Real World Biology Applications | 4 | |
| BIOT 110 | Biotechnology I: Basic Lab Skills and Documentation | 5 |
| BIOT 125 | Quality and Regulatory Practices in Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT 150 | Biotechnology II: Biomanufacturing and Quality Principles | 4 |
| MATH 165 | Introduction to Statistics 2 | 4 |
| or MATH 165H | Introduction to Statistics - Honors | |
| Select either chemistry sequence: | ||
| College Chemistry I and College Chemistry II | 10 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | 10 | |
| Total Units | 29-30 | |
- 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.
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOT 110 | Biotechnology I: Basic Lab Skills and Documentation | 5 |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H |
Reading and Composition or Reading and Composition - Honors |
4 |
| BIOT 107 or BIOT 108 |
Biotechnology: Transforming Society Through Biology or Intro to Biotechnology: Real World Biology Applications |
3 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| MATH 165 or MATH 165H |
Introductory Statistics or Introductory Statistics - Honors |
4 |
| Units | 4 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| BIOT 125 | Quality and Regulatory Practices in Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT 150 | Biotechnology II: Biomanufacturing and Quality Principles | 4 |
| ETHN 101 or ETHN 116 |
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 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Summer Term 1 | ||
| ENGL 104 or ENGL 104H |
Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Winter Term 2 | ||
| POLI 103 or POLI 103H |
American Government and Politics or American Government and Politics - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| 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 in Society 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 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Total Units | 63 | |
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.