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The Biotechnology Program at Austin Community College works with the local bioscience industry to train students in basic laboratory skills, math skills, genctic engineering, protein purification techniques, cell culture, quality assurance and quality control principles, regulations, bioinformatics, computer skills, ethics, documentation, and teamwork. The curriculum is kept up to date with an annual meeting with industry, visitation of industry sites, faculty externships, and input from adjunct faculty recruited directly from industry. The program has also been recognized by the Texas Skill Standards Board for its adoption and alignment with biotechnology state standards.

K-12 students can start the program in high school at high schools offering the first course, Introduction to Biotechnology. The course is offered either as dual credit or credit in escrow.

Two-year, community college students have several options as follows:
1) One semester, entry-level training achieved by completing the block of math/ethics/documentation/basic laboratory skill courses
2) A one year certificate focusing on entry level skills or Biomanufacturing depending upon the needs of industry in the area.
3) A two year Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Biotechnology. The AAS degree provides students the more advanced skills necessary to be an R&D technician as well as the courses for transfer to a university such as Texas A&M, Texas State-San Marcos, Stephen F. Austin State University or the University of Houston; all of which transfer agreements have been established. For more information about transferability of course, please check the transfer guide at the ACC website.
4) Four-year graduates (postbacs) can obtain the Advance Certificate in one year or less depending upon skill level and background knowledge. This certificate is composed solely of biotechnology courses. The prerequisite for the advance certificate is that a student must hold a baccalaureate or associates degree that includes one and a half years of biology and one year of chemistry (including one semester of organic chemistry) and department approval to be admitted to the program. Proficiency in oral/written English and in use of computers is required (to be tested separately if requested by the Department Chair or course instructor).

The entry-level training, certificates, and AAS require a semester-long internship in industry near the end of the coursework. Ninety-five percent of the students that complete the internship are hired by the industry with starting salaries ranging from 30K to 45K.

All courses, except the internship, are offered also through continuing education.

It is also possible for a student to get Institutional Credit by Exam from the Biotechnology program if they have already mastered the skills through industry training or other academic equivalent courses.  The exam involves a several day test where students demonstrate both the skills and knowledge they would have gained by taking that particular course. 

For information about job opportunities, training, and trends in the industry, please check out the Bio-link regional center page (www.bio-link.org). Austin Community College is part of the Bio-link network as serves as a regional headquarter.

Here is a short video about Biotechnology ACC Biotech Video. If you would like to purchase this video, here are the instructions . If you have any problems viewing this, please call 512-223-5915.
If you would like to purchase this video, here are the instructions .