Program Codes:
BIOTC.AS
Associate in Science Degree
Biotechnology is a branch of science in which we use living organisms to make useful products, and is a rapidly-growing career path for the future. The program is designed to provide hands-on skills training in biotechnology, as well as an AS transfer option for students with interests in the biological sciences.
Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion. Courses may have prerequisite and corequisite requirements.
A study of the basic principles and origins of life; the chemistry of living things; cell structure, function and reproduction; cell metabolic process including cellular respiration and photosynthesis; Mendelian genetics and modern genetics principles. Required for science transfer students in the biology option and biology pre-professional option and biotechnology.
A theoretical treatment of principles and laws underlying atomic structure, chemical reactions, enthalpy changes, bonding and states of matter integrated with descriptive material and quantitative calculations.
Introduction to the general chemistry laboratory: includes the conduct of inorganic reactions and general laboratory techniques. An appreciation and understanding of safety and environmental aspects of the general chemistry laboratory is developed. General chemistry laboratory techniques such as separation and titration and inorganic multistep synthesis are carried out. A variety of chemical reactions are performed, redox reactions and titrations are carried out, a stock solution and a series of dilute solutions are prepared from the stock, the enthalpy of reaction using Hess’ Law is determined, and the MW of a volatile liquid is determined using the Ideal Gas Law.
CHM 121
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students will use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Presents fundamental ideas of calculus such as the derivative, integral and their applications. Topics include fundamentals of analytic geometry. The first course in a sequence of calculus courses intended for the student interested in mathematics, engineering and the natural, physical and social sciences. TI83/84 graphing calculator required.
Physical/Health Education Elective
A survey of plant and animal taxonomy, anatomy and physiology; evolutionary theory and principles of ecology. Laboratory sessions include dissections.
A continuation of CHM 121, concentrating on properties of liquids, solids and solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, properties of acids and bases, acid-base and solubility equilibria, thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
CHM-121 with a grade of “C” or better
The laboratory course associated with CHM 122, General Chemistry II. The labs are related to the lecture topics and are meant to reinforce them. Computers are used for data acquisition and data handling using Microsoft EXCEL.
CHM 122
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
Topics include trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, areas, centroids, techniques of integration, parametric curves and vectors, indeterminant forms, Taylor's formula, infinite series and topics in analytic geometry. Recommended for students majoring in engineering, mathematics, computer science, social sciences and the science related areas of chemistry and physics. TI83/84 graphing calculator is required.
MAT-131 or equivalent
This course is a seminar survey of biotechnology methods and techniques that raise ethical or moral questions. Topics include issues pertaining to basic and applied research in human health, agriculture, and the environment. Students will research, present and lead weekly roundtable discussions on bioethical topics.
Mendelian and molecular concepts of heredity and their relationship to cell function, development and evolution. Topics include structure, function of genes, patterns of inheritance, nature and causes of mutations, mechanisms of gene regulation. Lab includes genetics of fruit flies, fungi, bacteria, human pedigree analysis and modern molecular techniques.
This course is a study of biology at cellular and sub-cellular levels. It introduces students to the structure, function and organization of cellular components of living organisms. Integration of structure and function at the cellular and molecular levels is emphasized. Students will apply the concepts of cell biology to disease processes such as cancer. Students will gain hands-on experience in a variety of experimental techniques used in biological research.
CHM 122 and CHM 126
A mechanistic study of the preparation and chemical reactivity of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Conformational analysis and stereochemistry of organic compounds.
CHM-122 with a grade of “C” or better
Introduction to the organic chemistry laboratory, performing organic reactions and notebook keeping. An appreciation and understanding of safety and environmental aspects of the organic laboratory. Introduction to organic chemistry laboratory techniques for the purification, isolation and identification of organic compounds - melting point, boiling point, recrystallization, distillation, IR spectroscopy and aspects of chromatography.
CHM 221
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
A mechanistic study of the preparation and chemical reactivity of aromatic compounds, alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, amines, carboxylic acids, and carboxylic acid derivatives.
Laboratory experience includes the characterization and identification of organic compounds using modern spectroscopic techniques: IR, 1H-NMR-, 13C-NMR, and Mass Spectrometry (MS). Introduction to basic techniques of chromatography (GC, HPLC) are also included.
CHM 222
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
A comprehensive study of microorganisms with emphasis on bacteria. Topics include: cellular and viral structure and function, taxonomy, microbial metabolism and genetics, physical and chemical methods of controlling microorganisms and concepts of pathogenicity and immunology. The laboratory exercises emphasize practical skills in manipulating, observing, controlling and identifying microbes.
This course introduces the students to structure, functions, synthesis and degradation of biologically important macromolecules of the cell such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Bioenergetics and regulation of metabolic pathways will be discussed. The interrelationship between the metabolic pathways and genetic defects will be emphasized. The course will focus on molecular biology, including the metabolism of DNA and RNA and regulation of gene expression.
CHM 222, CHM 228 and BIO 252
This course introduces the students to biochemical and molecular techniques used for studying carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acid. Students will gain hands-on experience on a variety of experimental techniques used in biological research.
BIO 251
Biotechnology offers multiple opportunities for work and research. Employment opportunities include: environmental, medical/ pharmaceutical companies; diagnostic and research products; food products; US government laboratories; police and forensic science departments; US Customs; patent law; and, science writing.
Students in this program acquire knowledge in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, genetics, cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry. Students will demonstrate proficiency in chemical, biological, cellular, immunological and molecular techniques and lab instrumentation.
A passing score on the College’s mathematics placement test for both Algebra I and Algebra II or MAT-013 and MAT-014 is required for biotechnology majors. In addition, a high school laboratory biology course with a minimum grade of “C” or BIO-010 and a high school laboratory chemistry or CHM-020 with a minimum grade of “C” are also required.
The Statewide Transfer Agreement for New Jersey ensures that students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree at a community college will have those credits fully transferable to a New Jersey public four-year institution, will have completed half of the credits required for a basic four-year degree, and will have completed all lower division general education requirements. In addition, articulation agreements with a number of public and private institutions provide guaranteed transfer into several Biotechnology programs, provided students meet specific GPA requirements. Students should discuss the transfer process with an advisor.
Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the A.S. degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. Students may shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer sessions at the College.