Biotechnology is an exciting and expanding field. The  program’s goals are to provide practical, “hands-on” learning and familiarity with cutting edge techniques, technologies, and equipment.

Position yourself to start a rewarding career in the Biotechnology industry. Students learn the basic skills required to become trained process technicians and lab assistants for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical companies. Through classroom instruction and laboratory work, students are prepared to enter the workforce and learn company operations and tasks.

Interested in biotechnology but afraid you don’t have the academic skills or training to take BioWork or biotechnology training programs? Enter our BioPharma Boot Camp, a program combining basic math and science training, along with career readiness and technical skills development needed to pursue further training in one of the fastest growing industries in the state! Call 919-536-7252 to register. A $5.00 supply is charged and is not exempt. 104 hours. For more information, visit BioPharma Boot Camp Frequently Asked Questions.

Registrations Process for BioWork and BioPharma 1:
Prerequisites:

1. Must be 18 years of age or older; and
2. Must have a high school diploma or GED; and
3. Demonstrate appropriate reading level (COMPASS 54) and math level (COMPASS 27).
   Placement tests are offered by the DTCC Placement Testing Center.
4. or copy of a transcript of any completed college degree (two-year or above).

Bring or send required prerequisite information to location below, where you will be assigned a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The PIN number must then accompany your registration.
Deliver to:  Northern Durham Center (NDC); or Main Campus, Corporate Education Center (CEC); or Orange County Campus (OCC); or Orange County Skills Development Center (OCSDC). 
Mail to:  DTCC, Attn: BioWork and BioPharma Programs, 2401 Snow Hill Road, Durham, NC 27712
Fax to:  919-686-3519, Attn: BioWork and BioPharma Programs
To Register:  Visit one of our convenient locations:
     • Northern Durham Center (NDC)
     • Main Campus – Corporate Education Center (CEC)
     • Orange County Campus (OCC)
     • Orange County Skills Development Center, Chapel Hill (OCSDC)
More information about the programs and registration process for BioWork and BioPharma programs are provided in BioWork and BioPharma Frequently Asked Questions or call 919-536-7252.

The BioWork course trains process technicians for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturing. This introductory course brings together the basics of manufacturing technology, the fundamentals of science, and the job-seeking essentials needed to provide marketable skills for manufacturing technicians in the biotechnology field. 140 hours. For more information, visit BioWork Frequently Asked Questions.

This hands-on introductory course helps students learn how to perform functions normally expected in a laboratory setting. Students aquire basic knowledge and operational skills for scientific equipment, sterilization of glassware, and general housekeeping duties required in a lab. Students become proficient in operating, calibrating, and maintaining instruments commonly used in the lab. In addition, they learn to calculate molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions. Students also develop proficiency in performing sterile techniques. Textbook and lab manual required. 98 hours.For more information, visit BioPharma 1 Frequently Asked Questions.

This course is an introduction to molecular biology and recombinant DNA techniques. Topics included are media preparation, agarose gel electrophoesis, an overview of restriction enzymes, preparation of molar and % solutions, growth of bacteria, spectrophotometry, DNA and protein theory, Western blotting, and Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Textbook required. Prerequisite: BioPharma 1. 80 hours. For more information, visit BioPharma 2 Frequently Asked Questions.

This course introduces the theory and practices required to successfully initiate and maintain animal cell culture. Topics include aseptic techniques, growth environment, routine maintenance of cell cultures, cryopreservation, cell counting, specialized culture techniques, and various applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to grow, maintain, and manipulate cells in culture. Textbook required. Prerequisite:  BioPharma 2: BioTechniques in Biotechnology. 68 hours.

The course focuses on skills routinely used in molecular biology.  It builds on the concepts and techniques introduced in BioPharma 2.  Encompassing transcription, DNA theory, use of plasmids and vectors, isolation of DNA, restriction enzyme digestion and analysis of DNA, PCR, PAGE, Southern and Western blotting.  Students will learn hands-on laboratory techniques found in most molecular biology laboratories. Prerequisite:  BioPharma 2. 64 hours.

This course builds on the techniques learned in BioPharma 3. Using these skills, students will perform transfection of DNA into mammalian cells and learn to evaluate the success of the transfection. Other topics include cloning techniques, suspension culture, serum free culture, evaluation of cryopreserved cells, extraction of DNA from mammalian cells and evaluation of this DNA via gel electrophoresis, and use of multiwell plates in cell culture. Prerequisite: ONLY BioPharma 3. 48 hours.