Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences program is designed to give entry-level laboratory technicians skills for application in academic, industrial and commercial research institutions. The exposure to an academic environment that simulates the contemporary biotechnological workplace, inclusive of analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, provides the opportunity to form a strong technical foundation typically sought by employers. The successful completion of the program may also provide the educational background for those wishing to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical laboratory medicine, forensics or environmental testing laboratories and/or a foundation for a student wishing to continue their education at a university.

Details

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3034
Total credits required
63-72
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Experience the natural world in an observant, thoughtful, and inquisitive manner, posing questions about unexplained phenomena and formulating multiple hypothetical explanations for each in an open-minded and creative fashion.
  2. Accurately perform scientific calculations and measurements typically used in biotechnology laboratory.
  3. Use appropriate databases to locate primary scientific literature, carefully examine its text and figures, critically evaluate and discuss the experimental design, data analysis and source.
  4. Utilize written protocols and techniques, including the safe and correct operation of contemporary laboratory equipment to reliably conduct controlled scientific investigations as appropriate for a research, clinical and/or manufacturing environment, including accurately and thoroughly documenting results, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting results and conclusions effectively in written, graphical, and oral formats.
  5. Design controlled single and multivariable experiments in a socially conscious and ethically responsible manner, including accurately and thoroughly documenting methodology.
  6. Use relevant software and digital databases to conduct scientific analyses, computer modeling, and information gathering.
  7. Explain biological and chemical principles and their application to biotechnological techniques.
  8. Persistently troubleshoot unanticipated investigative problems by consulting with others, critically analyzing methodology used, revising procedure as necessary and/or seeking alternative strategies to test the hypothesis.
  9. Demonstrate the skills needed to work effectively in a diverse team environment, including the ability to clearly communicate with peers from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience, collaborate with others and act as a productive contributor to effective group dynamics and the team's work.
  10. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ABS173 Basic Instrumentation and Lab Math 1
BIO181++ General Biology (Majors) I SQ 4
BIO195AA Principles and Practice of Scientific Research 1
CHM150AA or
CHM151AA or
(CHM150 and
CHM151LL)
or
(CHM151 and
CHM151LL)
General Chemistry I or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) SQ or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ 4–5
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
MAT15+ College Algebra/Functions MAT15+ or higher. MA 3–6

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ABS175 Research Methods in Biology 1
BIO205 Microbiology SG 4
BIO209 Biomolecular Separation 3
BIO295AA Independent Research in Biology Course may be repeated for credit. BIO295AA must be taken for at least two (2) credits. 0–1
CHM152AA or
(CHM152 and
CHM152LL)
General Chemistry II or (General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory) SQ or SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO208 Nucleic Acid Methods 3
BIO211++ Biotechnology Seminar: Biomedical Applications BIO211AA, BIO211AB, or BIO21AE 1
BIO295AA Independent Research in Biology A total of four (4) credits of research coursework is required for degree. Must include at least two semesters of BIO295AA. Courses may be repeated for credit. 1
CHM235AA or
(CHM235 and
CHM235LL)
General Organic Chemistry I with Lab or (General Organic Chemistry I and General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory) 4
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
PHI105 or
PHI213 or
PHI216
Introduction to Ethics or Medical and Bio-Ethics or Environmental Ethics HU 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO210 Advanced Lab Instrumentation 3
BIO215AB or
BIO295AA or
BIO295AB
Biotechnology Internship or Independent Research in Biology or Independent Research in Biology A total of four (4) credits of research coursework is required for degree. Must include at least two semesters of BIO295AA. Courses may be repeated for credit. 0–2
BIO/CSC283 Bioinformatics and Scientific Computing CS 3
CHM236AA or
(CHM236 and
CHM236LL)
General Organic Chemistry IIA with Lab or (General Organic Chemistry IIA and General Organic Chemistry IIA Laboratory) 4
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO215AB or
BIO295AA or
BIO295AB
Biotechnology Internship or Independent Research in Biology or Independent Research in Biology A total of four (4) credits of research coursework is required for degree. Must include at least two semesters of BIO295AA. Courses may be repeated for credit. 0–2

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ABS173 Basic Instrumentation and Lab Math 1
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3
MAT15+ College Algebra/Functions MA 3–6

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO181++ General Biology (Majors) I SQ 4
BIO211++ Biotechnology Seminar: Biomedical Applications BIO211AA, BIO211AB, or BIO21AE 1
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ABS175 Research Methods in Biology 1
BIO195AA Principles and Practice of Scientific Research 1
BIO205 Microbiology SG 4
CHM150AA or
CHM151AA or
(CHM150 and
CHM151LL)
or
(CHM151 and
CHM151LL)
General Chemistry I or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) SQ or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ 4–5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO295AA Independent Research in Biology Course may be repeated for credit. BIO295AA must be taken for at least two (2) credits. 0–1
CHM152AA or
(CHM152 and
CHM152LL)
General Chemistry II or (General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory) SQ or SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL 4
PHI105 or
PHI213 or
PHI216
Introduction to Ethics or Medical and Bio-Ethics or Environmental Ethics HU 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO208 Nucleic Acid Methods 3
BIO295AA Independent Research in Biology Course may be repeated for credit. BIO295AA must be taken for at least two (2) credits. 1
CHM235AA or
(CHM235 and
CHM235LL)
General Organic Chemistry I with Lab or (General Organic Chemistry I and General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory) 4

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO209 Biomolecular Separation 3
BIO215AB or
BIO295AA or
BIO295AB
Biotechnology Internship or Independent Research in Biology or Independent Research in Biology A total of four (4) credits of research coursework is required for degree. Must include at least two semesters of BIO295AA. Courses may be repeated for credit. 0–2
CHM236AA or
(CHM236 and
CHM236LL)
General Organic Chemistry IIA with Lab or (General Organic Chemistry IIA and General Organic Chemistry IIA Laboratory) 4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO/CSC283 Bioinformatics and Scientific Computing CS 3
BIO215AB or
BIO295AA or
BIO295AB
Biotechnology Internship or Independent Research in Biology or Independent Research in Biology A total of four (4) credits of research coursework is required for degree. Must include at least two semesters of BIO295AA. Courses may be repeated for credit. 0–2
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO210 Advanced Lab Instrumentation 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences SB 3
Course Area Key
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=179937).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.