Biotechnology Resources
What is Biotechnology....
The use of living organisms to produce food, medicine, or other products that provide a benefit to humans.
Most people don't realize biotechnology is thousands of years old! Making cheese, wine, bread, and selective breeding of plants and animals are all examples of using living organisms for our benefit.
Modern day biotechnology takes this a step further though. We can now take genes of one organism and transfer them directly to another organism. Human insulin for diabetics is manufactured in this way, as the insulin gene is introduced into bacteria, which then produce insulin on a large scale. Sometimes, we can actually alter the gene itself and reinsert it into the organism to produce a completely new product. This can be seen in plants that contain a "knockout" gene that make crops resistant to a specific herbicide, allowing greater crop yield.
Most modern biotechnology companies produce protein products (biopharmaceuticals) through cell culture and this process is called biomanufacturing.
How biopharmaceuticals are manufactured in cell culture
Transfer Options
Students that wish to continue their education after earning the certificate have several options: They may choose to stack their earned credits into the A.S. degree in Science (SCID) at CCRI, or they may wish to transfer to a four-year institution. CCRI has strong articulation agreements with both the University of Rhode Island and Clark University Biotechnology Programs, and we work closely with students to guide them during the transfer process.
A.S. Degree in Science (SCID) (*see note 3 for the Biotechnology Transition Option)
Clark University Biotechnology
In addition to the transfer options listed above, we also work closely with the Westerly Education Center and their Process Technology Program. This intensive 10-week bootcamp-style program serves as an introduction to Process Technology/Biotechnology. After successfully completing the program, you earn 6 credits upon enrollment in the CCRI Biotechnology Program to satisfy the INST 1010 and BIOL 1310 course requirements.
Biotechnology as a Career
As developments and uses for biotechnology continue to evolve, opportunities for careers will rapidly expand. Below is a brief description of several possible career paths in biotechnology.
Biomanufacturing Technician
makes life-saving medicines on small or large scale using upstream and downstream manufacturing processes while meeting FDA regulations and cGMP standards.
Biomanufacturing Technician Upstream
Biomanufacturing Technician Downstream
Quality Control (QC) Technician
uses sophisticated instrumentation and equipment to ensure product quality and safety.
Laboratory Technician/Assistant
Performs laboratory tasks such as solution and media preparation, sterile filtration, assays such as ELISA, maintenance of laboratory equipment and supplies, and washing glassware in an industrial or research setting.
Top Companies where CCRI Biotechnology Students Find Employment
Finding a Job
After completing the program, we will assist you in your job search to find an entry-level position that is a good match for your skills and level of experience through scientific staffing agencies or direct job listings by employers. The prospects for finding a job in the biosciences are very good right now, and opportunities should only increase in the foreseeable future. One benefit of securing a job directly after obtaining your certificate is that employers will often reimburse employees for educational expenses if they wish to return to school. Please see the transfer options below for those wishing to continue their education after completing the program.