Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences program is designed to give entry-level laboratory technicians skills for application in academic, industrial and commercial research institutions. The exposure to an academic environment that simulates the contemporary biotechnological workplace, inclusive of analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, provides the opportunity to form a strong technical foundation typically sought by employers. The successful completion of the program may also provide the educational background for those wishing to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical laboratory medicine, forensics or environmental testing laboratories and/or a foundation for a student wishing to continue their education at a university.
Details
Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3034
Total credits required
63-72
Effective Term
Summer 2024
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You'll Learn
- Experience the natural world in an observant, thoughtful, and inquisitive manner, posing questions about unexplained phenomena and formulating multiple hypothetical explanations for each in an open-minded and creative fashion. (ABS175, ABS283, BIO181, BIO181XT, BIO195AA, BIO205, BIO208, BIO209, BIO210, BIO211AA, BIO211AB, BIO211AE, BIO215AB, BIO295AA, BIO295AB, CHM150, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL)
- Accurately perform scientific calculations and measurements typically used in biotechnology laboratory. (ABS173, ABS175, ABS283, BIO181, BIO181XT, BIO195AA, BIO205, BIO208, BIO209, BIO210, BIO215AB, BIO295AA, BIO295AB, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, [MA])
- Use appropriate databases to locate primary scientific literature, carefully examine its text and figures, critically evaluate and discuss the experimental design, data analysis and source. (ABS175, BIO208, BIO209, BIO210, BIO211AA, BIO211AB, BIO211AE, BIO215AB, BIO295AA, BIO295AB, (CRE), [FYC])
- Utilize written protocols and techniques, including the safe and correct operation of contemporary laboratory equipment to reliably conduct controlled scientific investigations as appropriate for a research, clinical and/or manufacturing environment, including accurately and thoroughly documenting results, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting results and conclusions effectively in written, graphical, and oral formats. (ABS173, ABS175, ABS283, BIO181, BIO181XT, BIO195AA, BIO205, BIO208, BIO209, BIO210, BIO215AB, BIO295AA, BIO295AB, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [MA])
- Design controlled single and multivariable experiments in a socially conscious and ethically responsible manner, including accurately and thoroughly documenting methodology. (ABS173, ABS175, ABS283, BIO181, BIO181XT, BIO195AA, BIO205, BIO208, BIO209, BIO210, BIO211AA, BIO211AB, BIO211AE, BIO215AB, BIO295AA, BIO295AB, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, PHI105, PHI213, PHI216, [SB])
- Use relevant software and digital databases to conduct scientific analyses, computer modeling, and information gathering. (ABS283, BIO208, BIO209, BIO210, BIO215AB, BIO295AA, BIO295AB, [FYC], [MA])
- Explain biological and chemical principles and their application to biotechnological techniques. (ABS283, BIO181, BIO181XT, BIO195AA, BIO205, BIO208, BIO209, BIO210, BIO211AA, BIO211AB, BIO211AE, BIO215AB, BIO295AA, BIO295AB, CHM150, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL)
- Persistently troubleshoot unanticipated investigative problems by consulting with others, critically analyzing methodology used, revising procedure as necessary and/or seeking alternative strategies to test the hypothesis. (BIO195AA, BIO208, BIO209, BIO210, BIO211AA, BIO211AB, BIO211AE, BIO215AB, BIO295AA, BIO295AB)
- Demonstrate the skills needed to work effectively in a diverse team environment, including the ability to clearly communicate with peers from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience, collaborate with others and act as a productive contributor to effective group dynamics and the team's work. (BIO181, BIO181XT, BIO195AA, BIO205, BIO208, BIO209, BIO210, BIO215AB, BIO295AA, BIO295AB, CHM150, CHM151, CHM151LL, CHM151AA, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, (COM), [SB])
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (BIO211AA, BIO211AB, BIO211AE, BIO215AB, FYE101, FYE103)
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 45-48 | |
| ABS173 | Basic Instrumentation and Lab Math | 1 |
| ABS175 | Research Methods in Biology | 1 |
| BIO181 | General Biology (Majors) I (4) OR | |
| BIO181XT | General Biology (Majors) I (4) | 4 |
| BIO195AA | Principles and Practice of Scientific Research | 1 |
| BIO205 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO208 | Nucleic Acid Methods | 3 |
| BIO209 | Biomolecular Separation | 3 |
| BIO210 | Advanced Lab Instrumentation | 3 |
| BIO211AA | Biotechnology Seminar: Biomedical Applications (1) OR | |
| BIO211AB | Biotechnology Seminar: Laboratory Protocol (1) OR | |
| BIO211AE | Biotechnology Seminar: Business and Regulatory Issues (1) | 1 |
| Complete four (4) credits from the following course options. Courses may be repeated for credit. BIO295AA must be taken for at least two (2) credits. | ||
| BIO215AB | Biotechnology Internship | 2 |
| BIO295AA | Independent Research in Biology | 1 |
| BIO295AB | Independent Research in Biology | 2 |
| ABS283 | Bioinformatics and Scientific Computing | 3 |
| CHM150 | General Chemistry I (4) AND | |
| CHM151LL | General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) | |
| OR | ||
| CHM151 | General Chemistry I (3) AND | |
| CHM151LL | General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) | |
| OR | ||
| CHM150AA | General Chemistry I (5) | |
| OR | ||
| CHM151AA | General Chemistry I (4) | 4-5 |
| CHM152 | General Chemistry II (3) AND | |
| CHM152LL | General Chemistry II Laboratory (1) | |
| OR | ||
| CHM152AA | General Chemistry II (4) | 4 |
| CHM235 | General Organic Chemistry I (3) AND | |
| CHM235LL | General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) | |
| OR | ||
| CHM235AA | General Organic Chemistry I with Lab (4) | 4 |
| CHM236 | General Organic Chemistry IIA (3) AND | |
| CHM236LL | General Organic Chemistry IIA Laboratory (1) | |
| OR | ||
| CHM236AA | General Organic Chemistry IIA with Lab (4) | 4 |
| FYE101 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR | |
| FYE103 | Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) | 1-3 |
| General Education Requirement | Credits: 18-24 | |
| General Education Core | Credits: 12-18 | |
| First-Year Composition | Credits: 6 | |
| ENG101 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG107 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND | |
| ENG102 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG108 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) | 6 |
| Oral Communication | Credits: 3 | |
| COM100 | Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR | |
| COM110 | Interpersonal Communication (3) OR | |
| COM225 | Public Speaking (3) OR | |
| COM230 | Small Group Communication (3) | 3 |
| COM230 | recommended. | |
| Critical Reading | Credits: 0-3 | |
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR | |
| Equivalent as indicated by assessment. | 0-3 | |
| Mathematics | Credits: 3-6 | |
| MAT150 | College Algebra/Functions (5) OR | |
| MAT151 | College Algebra/Functions (4) OR | |
| MAT152 | College Algebra/Functions (3) OR | |
| MAT155 | College Algebra/Functions with Review (5) OR | |
| MAT156 | College Algebra/Functions with Review (6) OR | |
| Satisfactory completion of higher level Mathematics course | 3-6 | |
| General Education Distribution | Credits: 6 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | Credits: 3 | |
| PHI105 | Introduction to Ethics (3) OR | |
| PHI213 | Medical and Bio-Ethics (3) OR | |
| PHI216 | Environmental Ethics (3) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | Credits: 3 | |
| Any approved general education course from the Social-Behavioral Sciences area. | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences | Credits: 0 | |
| Met by BIO181 OR BIO181XT in Required Courses area. | ||
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.