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Biotechnology
Associate of Applied Science Degree

Dr. Amy Beth Waddell • (901) 333-5224
Dr. Juliann Waits • (901) 333-5226

Southwest Tennessee Community College offers courses leading to either an Associate of Applied Science degree in Biotechnology Technician or Biotechnology Forensic Science Technician. These programs are designed to give practical hands-on and theoretical knowledge of a variety of laboratory procedures and equipment. Students must be accepted into their program of interest prior to enrolling in second semester  BIOT courses. Students accepted into the program must remain in sequence and complete all courses on schedule.

The Biotechnology Technician is an important part of the team involved in basic and clinical research. Students completing the program will be employed in medical, research, and industrial laboratories. The final semester of the second year will be spent working in a laboratory at a local institution, hospital, or business, in addition to other courses. During this period, the students’ schedule may differ from the academic calendar.

The Biotechnology Forensic Science Technician concentration provides students with the biotechnology and forensic skills necessary for working in a federal, state, local, or private criminal investigation laboratory.

The program core consists of intensive laboratory based courses culminating in an off-campus working internship.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for consideration for admission, the applicant must:

1. Be granted degree admission at Southwest Tennessee Community College.
2. Have completed the following prerequisite courses * with a minimum grade of “C”:
   1. BIOL 1110 General Biology I
        
   2. BIOT 1010 Introduction to Biotechnology
        
   3. MATH 1530 Introductory Statistics
       
      *Courses must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
3. Have achieved an overall grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on all college-level courses completed.
4. Have successfully completed any science courses within the past five years required for the degree with a minimum grade of “C”.
5. Submit the following materials to the Admissions Office by the established deadline: April 15 (Fall semester admission) or November 1 (Spring semester admission):
   1. Application for Special Admission Programs
   2. Official transcripts of all college work attempted and/or completed at colleges and or universities other than Southwest (mailed directly from releasing institution)

Selection Criteria

The Biotechnology Admissions Committee ranks each applicant according to his or her Admissions index, which is derived from the variables listed below.

1. College-level GPA
2. Prerequisite course GPA

Criteria will be weighted equally.

A maximum of 24 students will be admitted in the Fall and the Spring semesters. The maximum number of students accepted to each concentration will be twelve per semester. Requirements must be fulfilled no later than the semester immediately prior to desired admission.

Retention Policy

In order to retain a position in the program, the student must:

1. Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
2. Earn a minimum grade of “C” in all BIOT courses required for the degree. Students failing to attain this requirement will be dismissed from the program.
3. Complete the following courses* prior to enrollment in the second year of the Biotechnology program:
   • General Chemistry I - CHEM 1110  
   • General Chemistry II - CHEM 1120  
   • Microbiology - BIOL 1230 
     * Biotechnology Technician program only
4. Remain in sequence and on schedule for all BIOT courses.
5. Students must be computer literate, including the use of EXCEL.
6. Students will be required to submit proof in writing of a negative drug screen prior to the start of their internship. Students in the Forensic Science concentration may also be required to submit to a criminal background check to fulfill requirements of internship sites.

Dismissal from Biotechnology Technician Program

Violation of classroom procedures, internship site procedures or personal misconduct will result in disciplinary actions and can result in immediate dismissal from the Biotechnology Technician program. Disciplinary actions are warranted by behaviors that include, but are not limited to, conduct dangerous to others; falsification of, or discrepancies in, forms or records; cheating; disorderly conduct; threatning or verbally abusive behavior toward faculty, staff, or other students; misuse of or damage to property; misuse of documents or identification cards; violations of state or federal law; evidence of alcohol or drug use while in class or at an internship site; or a positive drug screen.

Readmission Policy

Students withdrawing from the program or dismissed for any reason may be considered for readmission the following year by the program coordinator 30 days prior to the first day of registration for that term. Students must submit to the program coordinator a letter of intent to be readmitted.

Graduation Policy

All students must receive a grade of “C” or better in all classes required by the program in order to be eligible for graduation.  This includes any electives that are required.

 

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