Durham Tech's Northern Durham Center (NDC) located at 2401 Snowhill Road, is a full-service college campus that makes education even more convenient to residents of northern Durham and Orange counties. The main phone number for the Northern Durham Center is 919-536-7240. Other contact information is available in the NDC phone directory and view this page for information and directions.

The BioWork course trains process technicians for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemicalmanufacturing. This introductory course brings together the basics of manufacturing technology, the fun-damentals of science, and the job-seeking essentials needed to provide marketable skills for manufacturingtechnicians 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 receive basic knowledge and operational skills for scientific equipment, sterilization of glassware, and general housekeeping duties required in a lab. Students will be proficient in operating, calibrating, and maintaining instruments commonly used in the lab. In addition, they should be able to calculate molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions. Students develop proficiency 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.

This course meets the requirements of the N.C. Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors for six contact hours of continuing education credit. Three individual two-hour seminars covering the N.C. Mechanical Code with amendments are offered. Session I covers Chapters 1–5. Session II covers Chapters 6–10. Session III covers approved Fuel Gas Code Changes. Participants may attend only the seminars they need to satisfy individual requirements. The Code book is required. (Because this course is self-supporting, no tuition waivers or exemptions are allowed.) 6 hours.

This course meets the requirements of the N.C. Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors for six contact hours of continuing education credit. Three individual two-hour seminars covering the N.C. Plumbing Code are offered. Session I covers Chapters 1–4. Session II covers Chapters 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Session III covers 7, 9, and 11. Participants may attend only the seminars they need to satisfy individual requirements. The Code book is required. (Because this course is self-supporting, no tuition waivers or exemptions are allowed.) 6 hours.

Study Plumbing Level II concepts including basic safety, tools, math, pipes and fittings, fixtures and facets, and water distribution systems. Textbook required. 99 hours.

It is highly recommended that applicants for certification have a high school diploma or GED and one of the following: two or more years of experience working in operations and maintenance of a commercial or institutional facility, OR a minimum of one year of experience working in operations and maintenance of a commercial or institutional facility AND one year of technical college level education in facilities engineering related program, OR two or more years of experience in energy management of facilities with a focus on operations and maintenance. (Because this course is self supporting, no tuition waivers or exemptions are allowed.) Please call Herleesha Anderson at 919-536-7241, ext. 4418. 56 hours.

Learn approximately 300 signs and converse on a basic level with a hearing impaired person. This course provides an introduction to the deaf culture in America. This course has been approved by Durham Public Schools for license renewal credit. Textbook may be required. 18 hours. 2.0 TRCs.

Continue to build on your skills from Beginning American Sign Language. The focus is on refining the use of basic ASL sentences. Students learn routine communicative functions of the language. Information about the deaf community is included. This course has been approved by Durham Public Schools for license renewal credit. Textbook may be required. Prerequisite: American Sign Language I, Beginning or permission of the program coordinator. 20 hours. 2.0 TRCs.

This course provides an overview of the grant writing process, including grants versus contracts; the role of educational, governmental, and non-profit organizations in the grant process; information on available grant organizations; and use of the Internet in the grant process. Learn the grant process from initial identification of grant organizations to the request for solicitations and applications, application requirements, negotiated awards, grant administration, and finally to grant close out. After the overview, each student pursues a grant opportunity following the process utilized in class and is able to submit a grant application tailored toward the student’s personal or professional goals. Familiarity with the Internet is recommended. 24 hours.

New! Word 2007! This leisurely-paced introduction to the computer covers basic computer concepts and procedures. Receive lots of personal attention in a beginner’s class created especially for senior adults. Keyboarding or equivalent experience recommended. Textbook required. 30 hours. View the course outline.

New! Word 2007!Learn basic word processing functions. Enter, insert, delete, and replace text; set margins and tabs; save and print documents; create headers and footers; insert page breaks; and use spell check, graphic features, and other automated tools. PC Fundamentals or equivalent experience recommended. Textbook required. 30 hours.

Become a licensed skin care specialist through the new Esthetics Technology program. Esthetics is the beautification of the skin, both the face and the body. Students receive intensive training as skin care therapists. Licensed estheticians work as make-up artists, cosmetics buyers, cosmetics researchers, medical estheticians, esthetics instructors, and more. The Esthetics Technology program includes 600 instructional and clinical hours as required by the N.C. Board of Cosmetic Arts Examiners. The $1,040 is paid in two parts, with an initial $630 collected for the first semester and $410 for the second semester due no later than May 15, 2010. Courses are taught in a newly created, fully-appointed salon. Class size is limited. For more information, visit the frequently asked questions section.

This course is for licensed cosmetologists only. It is designed to teach cosmetologists the professional way of hair weaving. Topics include the basic principles of why people choose to wear hair extensions, the different types of hair extension options, and a step-by-step hands-on application of the hair weaving technique (using the braiding and top piece closure method). Upon completion, students are able to demonstrate and understand the professional hair weaving technique from start to finish. Students need to bring a mannequin with a stand to the class. This course has been approved by the N.C. State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. (Because this course is self-supporting, no tuition waivers or exemptions are allowed.) 8 hours. .8 CEUs.

This course is for licensed cosmetologists only. It is designed to teach cosmetologists a new way of applying hair using a seamless hair extension. Topics include the basic principles and application and removal of the seamless hair extensions (hands-on approach). Upon completion, students are able to demonstrate and understand the basics of how to apply seamless hair extensions and mix colors. Students need to bring a mannequin with a stand and a flat iron to class. This course has been approved by the N.C. State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. (Because this course is self-supporting, no tuition waivers or exemptions are allowed.) 8 hours..8 CEUs.

This class takes persons with little or no medical experience and introduces them to emergency care. At the end of this class, students are competent in providing emergency care at the basic level to patients needing care. Requirements are 18 years of age or older and a high school diploma or equivalent. Registration is $179 unless exempt. A supply fee of $25, a FISDAP fee of $15, and an insurance fee of $17.35 are not exempt. Preregistration and books are required. Purchase books prior to the beginning of class.184 hours. For more information visit EMT Frequently Asked Questions.

This course allows students who are already credentialed at the EMT Basic level to obtain the total hours required to recredential with the North Carolina State or National Registry Level and to obtain a CPR recertification. Prerequisites: Current EMT Basic credential and a high school diploma or GED, or completion of an entrance exam assessing basic reading comprehension skills at a minimum of the tenth grade level. Preregistration is required as space is limited. 72 hours, as determined by the student and the lead instructor. For more information visit EMS Frequently Asked Questions.

This course allows students to attend selected topics during a provider-level Basic course to earn continuing education for recredential and to obtain a CPR recertification. Prerequisites: Current EMT Basic credentialand a high school diploma or GED, or completion of an entrance exam assessing basic reading comprehension skills at a minimum of the tenth grade level. Preregistration is required as space is limited. 36 to 43 hours as determined by the student and lead instructor. For more information visit EMS Frequently Asked Questions.

This class follows the North Carolina curriculum and bridges the Emergency Medical Technician to Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate. 304 hours including clinical and field experience with some Saturdays and Sundays. Preregistration is required as space is limited.For more information visit EMS Frequently Asked Questions.

This course allows you to attend selected topics during a provider-level Intermediate course to earn continuing education credits. Dates of attendance will be arranged between each student and the lead instructor during the first night of class. Students will need to provide a copy of their current credential prior to attending. 36 to 43 hours as determined by the student and lead instructor. Preregistration is required as space is limited.For more information visit EMS Frequently Asked Questions.

Learn Spanish at Durham Technical Community College. The Continuing Education Division offers classes in four levels of Beginning Spanish. These levels become progressively more advanced, building on the skills learned from the prior course. Spanish I and II are designed for students with no or little previous exposure to the Spanish language. Spanish III and IV are more advanced and help better prepare you for the specialized or intermediate-level course. These courses allow you to gain the fundamentals necessary to pursue further Spanish study. Textbook required. Each class is 24 hours. 2.4 TRCs.

This course is designed to provide basic training to individuals desiring to become an activity professional in a health care-related setting. Activity directors for adult care homes are required by the N.C. Division of Facility Services to complete a minimum of 50 hours in an approved Activity Director course. Activity directors for nursing facilities are required to complete the 50-hour basic course with an additional minimum of 10 hours in documentation, including the assessment and care planning process. This approved course includes an overview of the activity profession, human development and the aging process, standards of practice, and methods of service delivery. Textbook required. 60 hours.

This course covers the basics of furniture upholstery and is for those with basic sewing skills. Students learn about fabrics and how to cover chairs, cushions, footstools, and small sofas. Cost of materials depends on the project chosen. 24 hours.

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