biotechnology lab assistant students look at fluid content in a graduated cylinder

Contact

Telicia Hunter
Director, Life Sciences
Collins (Building 2), room 125
919-536-7269
biotechce@durhamtech.edu

Biotechnology Lab Assistant (Continuing Education)

Short Term

The biotechnology lab assistant program provides practical, hands-on learning and familiarity with cutting edge techniques, technologies, and equipment. Students learn the basic skills required to become trained 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.


Durham County has over 20 major biomanufacturing and pharmaceutical company and 35 biosciences related industries.

The Lab Assistant program includes the following courses (see course descriptions and class schedule listed below):

  • BioPharma Lab Skills
  • GMP and SOP
  • Molecular Biology Techniques
  • Cell and Tissue Culture Techniques
     

Prerequisites

BioPharma Lab Skills

Provide a copy of a transcript of any completed Associate’s degree or higher showing successful completion of college-level Reading AND Math. Unofficial transcripts are accepted.

Molecular Biology Techniques and Cell Culture Techniques Prerequisites
  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Provide a copy of a transcript of any completed Associate’s degree or higher showing successful completion of college-level Biosciences courses and labs.
     

Textbooks

GMP and SOP

The textbook is included in the course fee and will be provided on the first day of class.

BioPharma Lab Skills and Molecular Biology Techniques
  • Daugherty, Ellyn, Biotechnology Science for the New Millennium, 2nd Edition (2017), EMC Publishing ISBN 978-0-76386-806-2 hardcover
  • Daugherty, Ellyn, Biotechnology Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition (2017), EMC Publishing, ISBN 978-0-76387-299-1
  • Lab Notebook (composition book)
Cell and Tissue Culture Techniques
  • Culture of Animal Cells by R. Ian Freshney, 7th edition, ISBN 10: 1118873653
  • Lab Notebook (composition book)
     

The certificate from Durham Tech is a full package. It not only gives you job specific knowledge but also guides and supports you landing an interview.

— Ritu Mathur; Read NC BioWorks feature on Ritu

Registration

All students must complete an online educational session followed by the contact information form. Once these are received, the program director will respond with more detailed information about the program and how to register. 

Deadline for Registration and payments is 48 hours prior to the class start date. After that time, they will no longer be accepted. You will need to submit a payment to be seated in the class. Review Continuing Education Financial Aid. Once you receive the requested financial assistance, your payment will be refunded back to you. 

Also see the BioManufacturing program.

BTC-3600B GMP and SOP

This 24-hour GMP and SOP course provides a broad overview of good manufacturing practices (GMP) and standard operating procedures (SOP). This course covers six modules: orientation/refresher, deliberate documentation, conducting investigations, QC laboratory operations, SOP in a regulated environment, and effective SOP writing.
Section
Number
Dates Location Building Room Time Format
90397
4/19 - 5/11
Internet
-
-
Online
91228
5/17 - 6/8
Internet
-
-
Online
91229
6/21 - 7/13
Internet
-
-
Online

LBT-3100F BioPharma Lab Skills

This course will train students in a broad range of core practical skills that have wide applications in the biotechnology, biomedical and biological sciences. Students will complete a variety of hands-on practical exercises such as aseptic techniques, advanced lab math needed to calculate reagents, solutions and dilutions. Prepare and aliquot samples, and data collection and analysis. In addition, students are introduced to Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Resume portfolio. Upon completion students will have the skills necessary for employment as a Laboratory Technician or Laboratory Assistant. Prerequisites: 1. Must be 18 years of age or older; AND 2. Transcript of BioScience Associate's degree OR higher showing successful completion of college-level Reading, Math and Science courses (unofficial OK). Students must submit proof of prerequisites prior to registration. Please email biotechce@durhamtech.edu for questions regarding programs or registration process. All students who complete the BioPharma Lab Skills Certificate course successfully are eligible to take the Biotechnology Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE).
Section Number Dates Location Building Room Time Format
This course has already started or is not being offered this term.

BTC-3200C Molecular Biology Techniques

This 140-hour course is a combination of lectures and hands-on laboratories in Molecular Biology and recombinant DNA techniques. Students will learn hands-on laboratory techniques found in most molecular biology laboratories. Topics included are DNA and RNA structure, restriction enzymes, growth of bacteria, replication, transcription and translation. We will also cover the use of plasmids and vectors, agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR, isolation of DNA, Real-Time PCR, CRISPR, Western blotting, and digestion & analysis of DNA. Upon completion students will have the skills necessary for employment as a Laboratory Technician or Molecular Biologist. Prerequisites: 1) Must be 18 years of age or older AND 2) BioPharma Lab Skills Certificate OR of Bioscience Associate's degree or higher (unofficial OK). Students must submit proof of prerequisites prior to registration. Please email biotechce@durhamtech.edu for questions regarding programs or registration process.
Section Number Dates Location Building Room Time Format
This course has already started or is not being offered this term.

BTC-3200D Cell and Tissue Culture Techniques

This 140-hour 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, transfection, and cell counting. Other topics include cloning techniques, suspension culture, serum-free culture, evaluation of cryopreserved cells, extraction of DNA from mammalian cells, 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. Prerequisites: 1) Must be 18 years of age or older AND 2) BioPharma Lab Skills Certificate OR of Bioscience Associate's degree or higher (unofficial OK). Students must submit proof of prerequisites prior to registration. Please email biotechce@durhamtech.edu for questions regarding programs or registration process.
Section Number Dates Location Building Room Time Format
This course has already started or is not being offered this term.

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