Introduction to Biotechnology I

This course is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills to be successful in the growing field of Biotechnology. This course is offered in a combined lecture and laboratory format. This course emphasizes hands-on essential laboratory techniques and instrumentation used in an industry setting. Lecture sessions will reinforce background material and related theory. Topics covered throughout the semester will include current high-demand industry skills such as, culturing of cells, gel electrophoresis, microscopy, PCR, solution preparation (buffers and dilutions), transformation and cloning, as well as other biochemical, chemical, and molecular biology techniques. Students will also learn how to perform basic math calculations, graph data, read and follow procedures, as well as maintain a notebook of laboratory results according to required and official industry protocols.