Biotechnology is a rapidly growing industry with projections for continued growth and exciting opportunities for employment. The Biotechnology Program is one of several in the State with a comprehensive curriculum in biomanufacturing. This program is designed in consultation with members of local industry (Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, and others) to provide the essential technical experiences and training needed for this thriving field. The curriculum balances basic science courses with practical laboratory applications.

This program prepares graduates to work in the biotechnology industry to operate equipment used to manufacture protein pharmaceuticals or other products. Students will grow bacterial and mammalian cells and recover the proteins that they produce. Students will follow good manufacturing practices to comply with quality assurance procedures and government regulations.

In completing the Associate in Science in Biotechnology, students will be able to apply for Moorpark College’s Baccalaureate program in Biomanufacturing, transfer to universities, or apply for employment in entry-level biotechnology positions for those seeking immediate employment.

To earn an Associate in Science Degree in Biotechnology, students must:

1. Complete a minimum of 60 associate degree-applicable semester units.  Students planning to transfer should complete 60 CSU transferable or 60 UC transferable units, depending on their intended transfer destination.
2. Complete the Moorpark College’s General Education requirements to include Areas 1-7 or the Cal-GETC Pattern. Transfer students and students planning to apply to the Bachelor's Degree Program should plan to complete the Cal-GETC. All courses for the Cal-GETC must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
3. Complete the required coursework for the major as listed in the Moorpark College catalog with a grade of “C” or better (or a “P”) in each of the courses selected. 
4. Achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in courses used to satisfy the degree requirements. 
5. Complete a minimum of 12 semester units within the Ventura County Community College District.

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Students not planning for university transfer may substitute CHEM M12 Introductory Chemistry I/CHEM M13 Introductory Chemistry II for CHEM M01A General Chemistry I/CHEM M01AH Honors: General Chemistry I/CHEM M01B General Chemistry II.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• identify the chronological sequence of steps needed to bring a biotechnology product from discovery to market.
• explain the operations that take place in an industrial biotechnology setting.
• assess and critique the extent to which they are meeting or exceeding the standards appropriate to biotechnology activities.