Biotechnology is a continually evolving, interdisciplinary industry offering solutions to environmental, health, energy, agricultural, forensic, and other challenges facing the world. The biotechnology industry is incredibly diverse and provides numerous opportunities for career advancement within and between several different biotechnology sectors, including pharmaceutical, cell biology, agriculture, biofuels, microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and more. Moreover, the biotechnology industry is an extremely stable industry because of its positive impact on numerous societal challenges.

Program Highlights

• One distinguishing feature of the LSC Biotechnology program is the sophistication of the laboratory equipment and facilities, as well as the opportunity for students to gain significant hands-on experience with these resources. Graduates of this program will carry out experiments and assays using state-of-the-art equipment, including gas and liquid chromatography, polyacrylamide and agarose electrophoresis, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, fluorescence microscopy, mass spectrometry, conventional and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), flow cytometry, along with a variety of microbiological-, molecular biological- and cell and tissue culture-based techniques. In addition to their course-based experiences with these technologies and techniques, students have ample opportunities to engage in independent research projects, both within and outside of their biotechnology courses.

Credentials and Careers

• LSC-Montgomery offers the Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC). Students who already have a degree and have completed three college-level biology courses, including microbiology, and two college-level chemistry courses, enroll in the ATC program. This educational pathway helps students develop relevant knowledge and skills crucial for career success with companies utilizing cutting-edge advances in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In the final semester of the program, students complete an internship as a capstone experience. The focus on current skills-based training, endorsed by our industry partners, enables the LSC-Montgomery Biotechnology program to produce graduates who have found success with academic, government and industry organizations throughout the United States.
• After completing the ATC, students can either seek employment or pursue additional educational opportunities. Students who opt to continue their education typically pursue bachelor or master’s degrees in a life science, chemistry, or engineering discipline. In recent years, the Molecular Genetics Technology and Cytogenetics Technology programs at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson School of Health Professions have served as the most popular academic transfer destinations for graduates of this program.

Transferability

• General education courses (Core) are designated for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out-of-state institutions.
• Technical coursework may be transferrable to other institutions.

Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.