Program Overview

Biotechnology Continuing Education

two-students-in-white-outfits-and-blue-gloves-and-goggle-holding-beaker-with-red-solution
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.


Registration Information: All students must complete an online information session. Once it's completed, the program director will send an email with more information about the program and how to register. Due to COVID-19, all hands-on courses with labs have been canceled until further notice.

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

Durham Tech offers the following pathways to enter the Biotechnology field: (course descriptions and upcoming classes are listed at the bottom of the page)

BioManufacturing Program Lab Assistant Program
  • BioWork 3.0
  • GMP and SOP
  • Cleanroom Basics
  • BioProcessing in Action
  • State Exam preparation
  • BioPharma Lab Skills
  • GMP and SOP
  • BioProcessing in Action
  • Molecular Biology Techniques
  • Cell and Tissue Culture Techniques


Prerequisites

Logo with a lab flask and the work BioWorkBioWork 3.0

  • 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.

If you have not taken a math placement test, they are offered by the Durham Tech Testing Center. If you do not have a student ID number, attend an information session (view list below) and you may receive one there. Take the student ID number plus a photo ID with you when you take the placement test.

The textbook is included in the course fee and will be provided on the first day of class. This course qualifies for Financial Assistance.

Cleanroom Basics

Prerequisite: BioWork certificate

BioProcessing in Action

Prerequisites: Cleanroom certificate
Corequisite: BioWork course

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

BioWork 3.0, GMP and SOP, Cleanroom Basics, and BioProcessing in Action

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)


Attend an information session (view the list in the Upcoming Program Events section below) 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.

Register

BTC-3200H Biowork 3.0

This course is designed to provide basic preparation for entry-level process technician jobs in bioprocess manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and chemical manufacturing. Course competencies include understanding the role of a process technician, safety, quality processes, measuring process variables, transforming matter, process technology (including processing equipment and plant utilities), controlling the process, maintaining sterile processes and growing living cells.

Cost:

$ 290.00

Credit Hours:

0

Contact Hours:

148
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.

Cost:

$ 165.00

Credit Hours:

0

Contact Hours:

40
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

Cost:

$ 270.00

Credit Hours:

0

Contact Hours:

100
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

Cost:

$ 350.00

Credit Hours:

0

Contact Hours:

140
Section Number Dates Location Building Room Time Format
This course has already started or is not being offered this term.

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

Cost:

$ 110.00

Credit Hours:

0

Contact Hours:

24
Section Number Dates Location Building Room Time Format
This course has already started or is not being offered this term.

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

Cost:

$ 90.00

Credit Hours:

0

Contact Hours:

24
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 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.

Cost:

$ 350.00

Credit Hours:

0

Contact Hours:

140
Section Number Dates Location Building Room Time Format
This course has already started or is not being offered this term.
Student wearing safety goggles and hat while pouring substance into a glass measuring cup.

“I chose Durham Tech because I just moved to the area and biotechnology companies are growing in the Triangle. I’ve had many family members affected by cancer so I wanted to get in this field for research and development.”

—William Parrish