Program Overview
Biotechnology Continuing Education
Biotechnology is an exciting and expanding field. The program provides practical, hands-on learning and familiarity with cutting edge techniques, technologies, and equipment. 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.
Durham Tech offers the following pathways to enter the Biotechnology field:
- BioManufacturing Programs:
- BioWork Next Generation
- BioPharma Lab Skills
- PharmaClean
- GMP and SOP
- Cleanroom Basics
- BioProcessing in Action
- State Exam preparation
- Lab Assistant Program
BioManufacturing Programs
BioWork Next Generation Prerequisites
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Must show proof of a high school diploma or high school equivalency (GED).
- Demonstrate appropriate Math level (one of these: NCDAP [DMA 010-030=7 each], COMPASS 28, TABE 9, or CRC Silver)*.
- OR provide a copy of a transcript of any completed Associate’s degree or higher. No testing is required with a degree.
*Placement tests are offered by the Durham Tech Testing Center. If you do not have a student ID number, you must complete a Durham Tech new student registration form, which will generate a student ID number. Take this ID number plus a photo ID with you when you take the placement test.
Books will be provided the first day of class. This course qualifies for Financial Assistance.
PharmaClean Prerequisites:
- Must show proof of a high school diploma or high school equivalency (GED).
- Students will also be required to undergo a drug test and criminal background check and pass specific immunizations prior to beginning the internship portion of the training. Certain findings on the criminal background check or drug screen may prohibit students from starting the internship.
- Reliable transportation required
BioProcessing in Action Prerequisites:
Prerequisites: Cleanroom certificate
Corequisite: BioWork course
BioPharma Lab Skills Prerequisite:
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.
Lab Assistant Program
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.
Attend an information session (view the list below the courses) to learn more about the programs and financial assistance.
If you have questions, please email Ingrid Charles at charlesi@durhamtech.edu.
Note: Since prerequisite documentation is required at the time of registration, online registration is not available.
LBT-3100E Micro-Pipette Techniques
This course is designed to provide practical instruction for basic laboratory techniques that are used in a wide variety of laboratory settings. Emphasis is placed on team interaction and hands-on applications related to safety, record keeping, presentations, measurement, instrumentation, and laboratory procedure development. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare and test samples, and use mathematical and statistical principles to present their findings in a professional manner. These skill sets could lead to employment opportunities as a research assistant or lab assistant.
| Section Number | Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This course has already started or is not being offered this term. | ||||||
LBT-3100F BioPharma Lab Skills
This course will train students in a broad range of core practical skills that have wide applications in biological sciences, biomedical and plant biotechnology. 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, data collection and analysis. In addition, students are introduced to Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and related topics for proper laboratory operation
BTC-3200C Molecular Biology Techniques
This 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 include 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, Western blotting, and digestion and analysis of DNA. Co-op opportunity available. 140 hours.
BTC-3200E BioWork Next Generation
This course trains process technicians for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturing. It offers job- seeking essentials and hands-on activities to simulate a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility (FESTO) while covering the core concepts of manufacturing and the fundamentals of science needed to provide marketable skills in the biotechnology field.
| 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 course provides students with a sound, practical, and theoretical knowledge of key techniques to perform cell culture. Topics include 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, and use of multi-well plates in cell culture. Upon, completion, students should be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to initiate, maintain, and manipulate cells in culture. Co-op opportunity available. 140 hours. $325
BTC-3600B GMP and SOP
This course covers six modules related to good manufacturing practices (GMP) and standard operating procedures (SOP): orientation/refresher, deliberate documentation, conducting investigations, QC laboratory operations, SOP in a regulated environment, and effective SOP writing. 24 hours. $90
BTC-3300D Cleanroom Basics
This short training will provide students with the importance of proper gowning, cleanroom behavior, and gowning qualification. In addition, students will practice proper sanitization and sterilization techniques in a certified cleanroom. At the end of the course, students will understand the procedures for gowning aseptically and performing proper contamination control. Prerequisite or concurrently: BioWork, Certificate. 24 hours. $110
| Section Number | Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70717 |
4/15 - 4/27
4/15 - 4/27
4/15 - 4/27
|
NDC |
115
115
115
|
M 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
W 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
F 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
Classroom | |
| 71660 |
4/18 - 5/23
4/18 - 5/23
4/18 - 5/23
|
NDC |
109
112
114
|
S 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
S 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
S 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
Classroom |
BTC-3300E PharmaClean
Looking for an introductory course to aid with transitioning into Biomanufacturing with the possibility of working you way up in industry? PharmaClean is the course for you! This course aims to train prospective employees on the proper way to sanitize and disinfect labs and cleanrooms within pharmaceutical facilities. Students will be taught industrial level mathematics and critical thinking. In addition, Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) will be addressed in order to instill the correct attitude and behaviors that are required for working in GMP facilities. Upon completion, participants who successfully complete the course may qualify for a paid internship.
| Section Number | Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This course has already started or is not being offered this term. | ||||||
BTC-3200G BioProcessing in Action
Students will perform activities in a simulated manufacturing environment. Students will document, verify and maintain records while performing basic manipulations to prepare equipment and buffer needed to obtain a quality product. The course will also cover the fundamentals of aseptic processing, including contamination control, Endotoxin, sterility and final product testing.