Biotechnology

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Biotechnology harnesses biology – cellular and biomolecular processes – to develop technologies for industrial, medical, and other purposes that aim to improve our lives and the health of our planet.

Biotechnology is a fast-growing and exciting field, where discoveries are made to cure diseases, battle climate change, develop new fuels, solve limited global food supplies, and more. Individuals in the field should be problem solvers who are curious, imaginative and persistent.

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Three students in lab coats handle lab equipment and petri dishes

Faculty give thumbs up and stand in front of a backdrop reading 'Built with Biology'

5 students participate in a contest on speed-dressing in lab gear at an event

Faculty stand with a banner reading 'Skyline College Biomanufacturing' at the Bay Area Science Festival

A student in a lab coat and gloves pours a solution into a flask in lab

Faculty hold up sticky notes with their names on them for summer camp introductions

A faculty member preps a machine in a classroom

Skyline College’s Biotechnology Program aims to prepare students to enter the workforce in the biotechnology field. Students in the program have access to fully stocked and functional labs where they will take courses and gain hands-on experience working with the tools and materials they'll need when they enter the workforce.

Faculty guide students through the current trends and processes in the biotechnology field using contextualized science, math and even English skill-building. Students emerge from the program ready for an entry level position working in a lab or production facility.

Skyline College offers an Associate Degree in Biotechnology for students who are looking for a clear path for transfer to a four-year institution in addition to the BioBridge Program, which offers a two-semester program that develops students' workforce readiness and soft skills so they can obtain hands-on work experience. The Skyline College Biotechnology Manufacturing program is also an excellent resource to get you on the path to a four-year degree.

Looking for a list of classes offered in upcoming semesters? Check out the class schedule

Program	Type	Total Units
Biotechnology Manufacturing Technician	AS	60 Units
Biotechnology Manufacturing Assistant	CA	17 - 19 Units
Biotechnology Manufacturing Technician	CA	33 Units

The 2023 summer COOP program is a two weeks and two days paid biotechnology work experience from June 12 to June 27. Under supervision of Skyline college faculty, the participating students will follow industry standard procedures to produce quality-controlled products. The products will be used in college biotechnology and local high school science classes. Examples of activities include micropipetting, aseptic technique, plasmid DNA purification, bacteria culture, DNA gel electrophoresis, solution/ media preparation, analysis of the results, documentation and more.

The students will meet in the lab M-Th 9 am -3 pm. Friday activities will be remote. The program includes:

75 hours of paid work at $16/hour
One COOP college credit
Hands-on laboratory experience
Discussions of the related scientific concepts
Interactions with biotechnology professionals
Exploration of careers in biotechnology

Application deadline: Wednesday, May 3^rd.

Students will be notified by May 10^th.

If you have any questions please contact Dr. Goli Afshar afsharg@smccd.edu.

The Skyline College STEM Center brings together academic and student support services for students taking science, technology, engineering and math courses.

The center supports student success by ensuring students have access to resources such as academic tutoring, counseling services, a resource depository for STEM pathways and transfer, a hub for internships and work based learning opportunities, as well as a place where students and staff can collaborate and build a community and supportive connection.

Check out the STEM Center

Nick Kapp, PhD	Professor, Biotechnology - Advisory Committee Chair	Skyline College
Michael Fuller	Biotechnology Instructor, Program Lead of BABEC	Skyline College
Ying-Tsu Loh, PhD	Executive Director	BABEC
Jing Folsom, PhD	Acting Dean of STEM Division, Biotechnology Instructor	Skyline College
Golnar Afshar	Biotechnology Instructor	Skyline College & CCSF
Alex Fuentes	Interim Project Director for Dual Enrollment	Skyline College
Rocky Ng	Biotechnology Instructor	South San Francisco High School & Skyline College
Arlyne Bautista	Alumni & Master's Graduate	Exact Sciences
Priscilla Sanchez	Alumni & Research Data Analyst	UCSF
Bryony Ruegg	Director, BABEC Board Member	Bio-Rad Explorer Program
Kevin Recinos	Current Biotech Student	Guardian Health Biorepository Handler
Christopher Kan	Director of Business Development	Sampling Human
Angela Consani	Executive Director	BCSI Microbadging
Andrew Mulato	Senior Research Scientist	Gilead Sciences
Mona Shah	Project Manager of Summer and GMP Program	Stanford Laboratory for Cell & Gene Medicine
Chang Dou	Bioprocess Analytical Chemist	ABPDU
Paul Escalante	Senior Business Development Manager	Kelly Science & Clinical
Raimundo Romero	MSAT Scientist	Lonza Biologics
Patrick Beatty	Investor, President	Board of Ignited Education
Sandra Mikolaski	External Evaluator	NSF ATE Grant
Manjari Wijenaike	External Evaluator	NSF ATE Grant
Shin Kiyohara	Consultant	Bay Area American Society of Quality
Sylwia Palczewska	Program Manager for Workforce and Talent	Biocom Institute

Agendas and Minutes

Agendas	Minutes
March 19, 2024	March 19, 2024
November 6, 2019	November 6, 2019
April 25, 2018	April 25, 2018
November 30, 2017	November 30, 2017
March 8, 2017	March 8, 2017
April 27, 2016	April 27, 2016
October 26, 2015	October 26, 2015 (no minutes available)
April 8, 2015	April 8, 2015
December 3, 2014	December 3, 2014

Upon completion of the program students will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to use sound ethical reasoning when discussing biological science and the use of biotechnological techniques.
Apply the knowledge of biological science to distinguish between observations, inferences, relationships, and testimonials under investigation.
Employ the appropriate techniques effectively and safely, including the appropriate use of equipment and tools to produce an acceptable outcome when performing a technical laboratory task.

Office Information

Location: Building 7, Room 7-130
Phone: (650) 738-4221

Spring 2025 Courses | Fall 2024 Courses

Status	Title	Days	Time	Instructor
OPEN	BTEC 150 - 48744 - Biotechnology Instrumentation BTEC 150 Biotechnology Instrumentation: Quality Control and Genetic Engineering Familiarizes students with small scale laboratory instrumentation practices. Students analyze the quality of a cell culture process and the purify products produced by cells in culture using (GLP) methods. Students will gain experience with the common assays used in quality control including electrophoresis, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and the Polymerase Chain Reactions (PRC) to produces generated using cell culture. Units: 4 Degree Credit Letter Grade Only Lecture hours/semester: 48-54 Lab hours/semester: 48-54 TBA hours/semester: 16-18 Homework hours/semester: 80-90 Prerequisites: BTEC 400 or equivalent. Corequisites: None Transfer Credit: CSU	T	1:10pm-4:00pm	Kapp, N
OPEN	BTEC 150 - 48744 - Biotechnology Instrumentation BTEC 150 Biotechnology Instrumentation: Quality Control and Genetic Engineering Familiarizes students with small scale laboratory instrumentation practices. Students analyze the quality of a cell culture process and the purify products produced by cells in culture using (GLP) methods. Students will gain experience with the common assays used in quality control including electrophoresis, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and the Polymerase Chain Reactions (PRC) to produces generated using cell culture. Units: 4 Degree Credit Letter Grade Only Lecture hours/semester: 48-54 Lab hours/semester: 48-54 TBA hours/semester: 16-18 Homework hours/semester: 80-90 Prerequisites: BTEC 400 or equivalent. Corequisites: None Transfer Credit: CSU		TBA	Kapp, N
OPEN	BTEC 220 - 46530 - Cell Culture/Protein Recovery BTEC 220 Cell Culture and Protein Recovery Allows students to develop the skills needed to serve as a technician in biotechnology production. Students grow and monitor cells and participate in downstream purification on a laboratory scale that emulates the large-scale production used in industry. The course emphasizes the use of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), current Good Laboratory Practices (cGLP), and students gain experience following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Units: 4 Degree Credit Letter Grade Only Lecture hours/semester: 32-36 Lab hours/semester: 96-108 TBA hours/semester: 16-18 Homework hours/semester: 48-54 Prerequisites: BTEC 170 or equivalent. Corequisites: None Transfer Credit: CSU	M	1:10pm-3:00pm	Kapp, N
OPEN	BTEC 220 - 46530 - Cell Culture/Protein Recovery BTEC 220 Cell Culture and Protein Recovery Allows students to develop the skills needed to serve as a technician in biotechnology production. Students grow and monitor cells and participate in downstream purification on a laboratory scale that emulates the large-scale production used in industry. The course emphasizes the use of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), current Good Laboratory Practices (cGLP), and students gain experience following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Units: 4 Degree Credit Letter Grade Only Lecture hours/semester: 32-36 Lab hours/semester: 96-108 TBA hours/semester: 16-18 Homework hours/semester: 48-54 Prerequisites: BTEC 170 or equivalent. Corequisites: None Transfer Credit: CSU	W	1:10pm-5:00pm	Kapp, N
OPEN	BTEC 220 - 46530 - Cell Culture/Protein Recovery BTEC 220 Cell Culture and Protein Recovery Allows students to develop the skills needed to serve as a technician in biotechnology production. Students grow and monitor cells and participate in downstream purification on a laboratory scale that emulates the large-scale production used in industry. The course emphasizes the use of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), current Good Laboratory Practices (cGLP), and students gain experience following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Units: 4 Degree Credit Letter Grade Only Lecture hours/semester: 32-36 Lab hours/semester: 96-108 TBA hours/semester: 16-18 Homework hours/semester: 48-54 Prerequisites: BTEC 170 or equivalent. Corequisites: None Transfer Credit: CSU		TBA	Kapp, N