Biotechnology Lab Assistant Technical Diploma

Program Overview

Madison College's Biotechnology Laboratory Support Assistant Diploma provides hands-on training for entry-level positions in the biotechnology industry. The program emphasizes workplace skills, technical skills in aseptic working and laboratory instrumentation, and integrates industry advice into its curriculum. Graduates are prepared for careers as lab assistants, biological science aides, laboratory support technicians, and lab operations associates, with over 90% of students placed in related jobs.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview:
• Madison College's Biotechnology Laboratory Support Assistant Diploma offers hands-on training needed for entry-level positions in the biotechnology job market.
• Objectives:
• Provide students with background knowledge and hands-on experience for entry-level support tasks in the biotechnology industry.
• Description:
• Prepares students to perform tasks such as maintaining a clean work environment, working aseptically, safely, and as part of collaborative teams, and producing proper documentation.

Outline:

• Program Content:
• Emphasizes workplace skills in communication, safety, time management, and professionalism.
• Introduces technical skills in aseptic working, media and solution preparation, bacterial culture growth, documentation maintenance, and basic laboratory instrumentation.
• Integrates local industry advice in curriculum development.
• Structure:
• Can be completed in two semesters.
• Offers part-time and full-time attendance options.
• Course Schedule:

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Lab Assistant: monitoring equipment, sample preparation, glassware, media, and solution preparation.
• Biological Science Aide: instrumentation, glassware, stocks and supplies, experiment setup and takedown, and sample preparation.
• Laboratory Support Technician: maintenance of lab systems and resources, preparation of reagents and solutions.
• Lab Operations Associate: reagent production and testing, assistance in process and method development, characterization, and validation, materials management, packaging, shipping, receiving, and distribution of goods and supplies.
• Opportunities:
• With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as laboratory technicians, production technicians, or QA/QC technicians.
• Over 90% of Madison Area Technical College Biotech students are placed in related jobs.
• Graduates have worked in more than 50 different companies in the Dane County area.