The Biotechnology curriculum is designed to meet the increasing demands for skilled laboratory technicians in various fields of biological and chemical technology.

Because the program has emerged from molecular biology and chemical engineering, course work emphasizes biology, chemistry, mathematics, and technical communications. The curriculum objectives are designed to prepare the graduate to serve in three distinct capacities: as a research assistant to biologists or chemists, laboratory technician/instrumentation technician, and quality control/quality assurance technician.

Graduates may find employment in various areas of industry and government, including laboratory research and development, quality control testing, biomedical production, manufacturing, sales, and customer service.

Triangle residents may complete the first year of the Biotechnology program at Durham Technical Community College and then take the second year of courses at Alamance Community College (ACC) in Burlington. ACC will accept up to 33 hours of transfer credit from Durham Tech for this program.

During the first year, Durham Tech offers the following courses in the Biotechnology program: General Biology; Basic Lab Techniques; Introduction to Chemistry and Chemistry Lab; Organic and Biochemistry; Expository Writing; Introduction to Computers; and Statistics. For more information call (919) 686-3629.