Manhattan Area Technical College
Biotechnology Program Courses
These courses can be taken individually as a non-degree seeking student or as a certificate,
requiring acceptance into the program. Lectures are offered online via MATCOnline while
labs are face-to-face.
Laboratory Safety (BIO225, 2 credits/BIO226, 1 credit) This course will enable the student to
practice the secure use and handling of biological and chemical materials. Other topics
covered will include safety procedures in Biosafety Level 2 and 3 labs, infectious disease,
food security, and small animal handling.
Laboratory Operations (BIO210, 4 credits) This course is an introduction to technical writing,
technical math, and common regulatory issues seen in the laboratory. The class offers
practice in design and editing of documents commonly used in the laboratory environment.
It will also teach best practices involved in keeping records and a laboratory notebook. The
laboratory math component prepares students for the advanced problem solving
applications associated with laboratory practice. Regulatory issues will also be discussed in
this course.
Biotechnology Techniques (BIO250, 3 Credits/BIO251 2 Credits) This course introduces the
basic skills and knowledge necessary in a biological or chemical laboratory. Emphasis is
placed on good laboratory practices (cGLP), safety, solution preparation, and equipment
operation and maintenance following standard operating procedures.
Molecular Techniques (BIO260, 2 Credits/BIO261 2 Credits) This course will prepare students
to use general strategies to purify proteins. Specific methods include determining specific
activities for enzymes, extraction of proteins from bacterial cells, polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis, ELISA’s, electrophoresis, and microarrays.
Cell Culture Techniques (BIO270, 2 Credits/BIO271 2 Credits) This course introduces students
to the basic techniques used in culturing tissues and cells. Topics covered include sterile and
aseptic technique, media preparation, cell count and viability, cryopreservation,
subculturing, and research applications using cell cultures
Biomanufacturing Techniques (BIO28,0 2 Credits/BIO281 2 Credits) This course will enable
students to work with a small-scale laboratory processes utilizing prokaryotic or eukaryotic
cells in fermentation procedures. Topics include batch process records, techniques used for
cell harvesting, cell disruption and fractionation methods, as well as distillation, liquid-liquid
extraction, different types of chromatography, and emerging technologies for product
recovery. Upon completion, students should be able to set up a fermenter, grow
prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and isolate and collect various fractions derived from
fermentation.
Internship (BIO290 5 Credits) This internship allows students to gain real job experience in
the biotechnology industry before completion of the certificate. The intern will be placed in
an industry from one of the program’s focus areas and should spend 8-12 weeks working
closely with the laboratory supervisor.