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The Biotechnology Program at Austin Community College works with the local bioscience industry to educate students in basic laboratory skills, math skills, genetic engineering, protein purification, cell culture, quality assurance and quality control principles, regulations, bioinformatics, computer skills, ethics, documentation, and teamwork. Students are educated to work in a variety of positions that span different kinds of companies including Pharmaceutical, Molecular Diagnostics, Manufacturing, Research and Cancer Research, Fisheries and Wildlife and Cell Culture.  The State of Texas has adopted the Washington Skill Standards for Biotechnology. The Austin Community College Biotechnology Program was the 1st program in the state to formally adopt these standards and receive program recognition from the Texas Skill Standards Board. 
         

The ACC Biotechnology Program provides a 1-year Certificate, a 2-year Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree and an Advanced Certificate for students with a 4-year degree. The Certificate provides students the basic skills for an entry-level job. The AAS degree provides students the more advanced skills necessary to be a biotechnician as well as the courses for transfer to a university such as Texas A&M, Texas State University-San Marcos or Stephen F. Austin State University.  The Advanced Technical Certificate educates post-baccalaureate students to work at the bench and is composed solely of biotechnology courses.  Students can also take the biotechnology courses through the Continuing Education Program.

            At the end of the program, all of the biotechnology students are required to do an internship in industry. Ninety-five percent of these students are hired during their internship with starting salaries ranging from 30k to 45K.  Most Biotechnology jobs are salaried first shift work with benefits. 

            The Biotechnology Program shares facilities with the Medical Technology Program at the Eastview campus (1,610 sq. feet) and will continue this practice at the new facilities at the Round Rock Campus (3,600 sq. feet).
The Biotechnology Program has a separate preparation room, cell culture, and storage room at both facilities and a shared lecture and instrumentation room. Students are taught on equipment that will use industry such as Real-Time PCR Machines, HPLC’s, FPLC’s, GC’s, Laminar Flow Hood’s, Inverted & Fluorescent Scopes, Bioreactors and Fermentors, Nanodrop Spectrophotometers and Bioanalyzers.

            Faculty requires a minimum of a master’s degree in a molecular science. Full-time Faculty have doctorate degrees with research experience and experience in industry. Many of the adjunct faculty come from Industry with specializations in molecular biology, proteomics and cell culture.  

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 .