This certificate is designed to meet the increasing need for entry-level laboratory technicians, especially in the field of research and development. Technicians in this field must be proficient in the application of scientific methodology to solve problems. They must learn and implement laboratory procedures and use specialized laboratory equipment. Competency in organizational, computational, and communication skills is required. This program is designed to give students the theoretical background and practical experience necessary to be a bench-level scientist in both academic and industrial settings. Completion of this program prepares students to gain entry-level employment, or with additional coursework students can transfer to four-year institutions in the biosciences. Graduates of this biotechnology program can expect to be employed in various capacities, including quality control, applied research, product development, analytical testing, and academic (basic) research. Upon completion of the program, students will report that they were sufficiently developed to meet employer expectations for entry-level performance in a technical laboratory.