The media is going wild with articles on DNA testing...everything from test your DNA for prehistoric Neanderthal genes to paternity DNA testing on reality TV. In Sacramento, the search for technology-level careers working with DNA has startling appeal in the social media/social networking arena.
Forensic DNA and DNA-testing careers are attracting Sacramentans interested in obtaining training in a community college that actually leads to a job without having to posess a four-year adegree. The point is you get hands-on skills in areas where real jobs exist such as in informatics and routine DNA testing used for human or veterinary research.
Sacramento's American River College (Carmichael area) offers a two-year degree and/or a certificate in biotechnology focusing on DNA testing and informatics. You can earn a one-year certificate in biotechnology, see the site, Biotechnology Certificate, or you can earn a two-year community college Biotechnology A.S. Degree. Interested in a fiction 'romance' suspense novel about DNA detectives working against time? See the novel, The DNA Detectives - Anne Hart : IUniverse.
And more Sacramentans are studying for careers in DNA testing, for example forensic DNA testing or even testing DNA for ancestry, human health, or veterinary research. And an allied field is informatics, the creation of databases for the study of genetics and other biotech/life sciences.
Would you enjoy testing DNA for research in forensics, for examples, just with a 2-year college degree in biotechnology? If you wanted to continue your education, you'd also be prepared not only with good job skills, but also for transfer to a four-year college program to continue studying biotechnology, informatics, genetics, forensic DNA research, and similar programs.
Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms or their cellular components to provide useful services or products. This includes products that clean up the environment, fight disease, improve food production and make manufacturing more efficient and profitable.
There are jobs in biotechnology without having a four-year degree. You could work in forensics, for example, diagnostics, agriculture, or medicine working with DNA research and using the skills you learn working on a computer using informatics, working with databases and/or doing DNA testing in the capacity of a technologist or technician.
You will receive great training in hands-on work in a scientific research laboratory. Students in the Biotechnology Program at American River College will learn the underlying principles of biotechnology as well as current applications in areas such as agriculture, medicine, forensics and diagnostics.
When students complete the course work they will be sufficiently trained for entry into the biotechnology industry or will be equipped to compete effectively for entry into four-year biotechnology programs with a solid grounding in theory and superior hands-on laboratory skills. Check out the article on careers and training in Sacramento in biotechnology. See, [PDF] Biology & Biotechology - American River College.
Sample of what the biotechnology courses at American River College in Sacramento/Carmichael are like:
Biotechnology Courses at ARC
BIOT 300: Introduction to Biotechnology (4 units) is a lecture/laboratory course that provides an overview of biotechnology, covering theory, applications, and hands-on skills. Topics include DNA and protein analysis, genetic engineering, cloning, the human genome project and applications to medicine, industry, and forensics.
Prerequisite: BIOL 310 or BIOL 400, CHEM 305 or CHEM 400 with a grade of "C" or better.
Accepted for credit: UC, CSU.
Hours: 54 hours lecture, 54 hours laboratory.
BIOT 305: Introduction to Bioinformatics (1 unit) includes topics on the use of biology databases, search and retrieval programs, structure/function analysis of biological molecules, DNA sequence alignment and analysis, and applications of these technologies.
Prerequisite: BIOL 310 or BIOL 400.
Advisory: BIOT 300 and CIS 305.
Accepted for credit: CSU.
Hours: 14 hours lecture, 14 hours laboratory.
BIOT 307: Biotechnology and Society (2 units) examines the emerging impact of biotechnology in our lives and the world around us. Basic concepts in biotechnology are introduced in a non-technical manner to explore advances in medicine, agriculture, and other fields. This course will also emphasize public perception and ethical issues in biotechnology.
Prerequisite: None.
Accepted for credit: UC, CSU.
Hours:36 hours lecture.
BIOT 315: Methods in Biotechnology (5 units) provides specialized laboratory skills in biotechnology. Topics include aseptic technique, preparation of media and solutions, methods in bacteria and plant culture, isolation and analysis of nucleic acids and proteins, good laboratory practice and quality control.
Prerequisite: BIOT 300.
Accepted for credit: UC, CSU.
Hours: 54 hours lecture, 108 hours laboratory.
BIOT 498: Biotechnology Work Experience (1-2 units) provides directed work experience in the biotechnology industry with the purpose of applying classroom instruction to the biotechnology workplace. Students should make their own work arrangements prior to enrolling in this course.
Accepted for credit: CSU.
Hours: 9 hours lecture, 60-150 hours laboratory.
BIOT 499: Introduction to Genomics (1 unit) introduces basic concepts and applications of genomics, which involves studying the structure and function of the complete genetic material in an organism. Topics include approaches to determining the entire genetic sequence of an organism, laboratory and computer-based tools used in genomics, applications of genomics to areas such as medicine and agriculture, and social/ethical implications. Prerequisite: BIOL 303, 310, or 400 with a grade of "C" or better. Hours: 18 hours lecture (ONLINE)
For more information contact:
Ken Kubo, Ph.D.
Biology Department
American River College
Jeffery O’Neal
North Valley & Mountain Biotechnology Center
American River College
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