Biotechnology Certificate Program
Our program prepares students for careers as entry-level technicians in biotechnology and life sciences laboratories. Over the course of two 11-week semesters, followed by a 12-week paid-internship, students master the cutting-edge technical skills, instrumentation, and quality control measures required to work as entry-level lab technicians. Each semester follows a thoughtful workflow that incorporates practice of industrial methods to prepare students for work in the thriving biosciences economy. In addition to hands-on technical laboratory training, students are mentored by industry professionals and learn valuable career skills including communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and time management.
Program Details
- Small class size fosters one-on-one coaching
- Open to residents of greater Cape Ann region
- Age range: 18 – 26 years old
- Full-time program: 8:00a to 2:30p, Monday – Friday, September through February
- Full-time, guaranteed, paid-internship, March through May
Career Skills
- Foster life skills required for professional employment
- Establish critical thinking and rhetoric through journal article discussions
- Assist with internship and job application process
- Teach professional written and oral communications
- Introduce different types of labs through field trips and guest speakers
Internships
- Full-time, three-month, paid-experience
- Work at prestigious biotech companies
- Mentorship from professional scientists
- Develop new laboratory skills
- Network with industry leaders
Curriculum Overview
Semester 1: DNA Techniques
Introduces standard laboratory practices and instrumentation in a molecular biology workflow where students will:
- Develop skills including lab safety, follow detailed protocols, and maintain a written lab notebook
- Practice fundamental techniques such as pipetting and preparation of solutions
- Extract, amplify, and sequence DNA
- Collect and analyze data
- Present results to colleagues
- Read, analyze, and engage in discussions on scientific journals
Semester 2: Proteins, Genetic Engineering, and Bioprocessing
Expands laboratory skills and techniques through a bioprocessing workflow where students will:
- Recognize and follow standard lab maintenance, organization, and safety practices
- Prepare consistent solutions, media, and plates for growing cells
- Engineer bacterial cells to produce a protein of interest
- Generate cell banks and confirm productivity of engineered cells
- Demonstrate proficiency in batching, sampling, and decontaminating fermentation processes, while maintaining complete batch records
- Practice upstream and downstream processing and purification of a protein product
- Incorporate process analytical technologies to monitor mammalian cell cultures in single-use bioreactors
Program Gallery
