BIOLOGICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES DIVISION
BIOTECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Do you like working with your hands and solving problems? Are you interested in the
latest developments in disease-fighting medicines and environmental uses for Biotechnology?
Then, Foothill College's Biotechnology Program is for you! You will learn cutting-edge
lab skills, in our state-of-the art facility that will prepare you for an exciting career.
Foothill College has the most lab-intensive program in the area, which means our graduates
leave with all of the skills employers are looking for. Also, you will be trained on the
same equipment you would use in a biotech lab, which means you will gain the confidence
necessary to perform in any lab setting.
The Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Training Program is a full-time, nine-month
sequence of instruction, with entry in the Fall Quarter only. This program is designed
to make students competitive as entry-level laboratory technicians in a variety of areas,
including research, product development, manufacturing, quality control and clinical studies.
To be competitive for these positions, you need to be confident and capable in the lab; and
Foothill will get you there. Students who complete the program in a satisfactory manner
will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement in Biotechnology and may elect to pursue an
Associate of Science degree.
Not ready to make a 9-month commitment? Then, the newly-added Certificates of Specialization
may be a better fit for you. We offer three new certificates that take about two part-time
quarters to complete (see below). We also offer evening biotechnique courses that will
help you gain hands-on experience, update your skills, or just get a feel for what
Biotechnology is all about. Specific Biotechnique offerings can be found at: http://www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/biotech/short.php
In addition to laboratory skills, the program emphasizes scientific method, record keeping,
safety, communication, and teamwork. Job opportunities abound in the Bay Area at every level
of education and experience. Get the extensive lab training needed for this exciting field at
Foothill. Salaries generally start at $35,000-$60,000 for entry-level positions. Advancement,
stock options and benefits may be available for the motivated employee. Foothill can prepare
you to be the most qualified applicant for a job in this expanding industry.
"Biotechnology is a growing industry, offering excellent opportunities, pay and benefits.
Many positions are available for people with a background in biological science, with good
laboratory and computer science skills."
This program emphasizes scientific theory with experimental design, troubleshooting,
record keeping and data analysis. All of these skills are gained through comprehensive
laboratory training. The basics of safety, laboratory organization and instrumentation are stressed throughout the program.
Cellular Techniques - cell culture, cell cloning, cell separation, subcellular fractionation, electrophoresis, enzymology, microscopy and staining, chromatography, sterile and aseptic technique, fermentation, bioremediation Molecular Techniques - restriction enzyme analysis, transformation, DNA isolation (mini and midi-preps), cloning, Southern Blot, PCR, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics, electrophoresis Immunological Techniques - ELISA, Western Blot, monoclonal antibody production, immunofluorescence, cell-based assays and flow cytometry.
