Microcredential – Biological Technician | NorthWest Arkansas Community College
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Microcredentials in
Biotechnology

Microcredentials in
Biotechnology

Microcredentials in Biotechnology


In today's fast-evolving biotechnology landscape, employers seek professionals who are not only knowledgeable but also skilled in hands-on techniques and industry standards. Skills-based training ensures that learners can confidently perform tasks in real-world laboratory and manufacturing environments—something traditional academic pathways may not fully address. Microcredentials offer focused, competency-based preparation that aligns with employer needs and national workforce frameworks. By completing Microcredentials in core areas such as lab safety, molecular biology, bioproduct processing, and more, students gain verifiable evidence of their abilities. These stackable credentials enhance job readiness and serve as a direct bridge to earning industry-validated certifications, such as those offered by the Bioscience Core Skill Institute (BCSI). Aligned with national bioscience standards, BCSI Microcredentials validate critical skills and support a workforce that is prepared, adaptable, and competitive in the biotechnology sector.

Why Choose These Microcredentials?
Choosing Microcredentials in biotechnology provides targeted, skills-based training that prepares individuals for immediate entry or advancement in the life sciences workforce. These stackable credentials offer focused experience in key industry areas such as Safety and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), essential for maintaining compliance and laboratory integrity; Cell Culture, critical for pharmaceuticals and biomedical research; and Molecular Biology, the foundation for genetic engineering and diagnostics. Bioproduct Processing introduces students to downstream manufacturing workflows, while Bioinformatics equips learners to interpret complex biological data for research and innovation. Microbiology and Plant Science provide depth in environmental, agricultural, and pharmaceutical applications. The CURE Research Presentation Microcredential develops scientific communication and real-world research experience, ensuring learners can confidently share their findings with peers and professionals. Together, these Microcredentials offer a comprehensive yet flexible path to workforce readiness and career growth in the dynamic field of biotechnology.

DESCRIPTION
The Pathway to Employment: Biological Technician credential prepares students for entry-level positions in laboratory or biological manufacturing settings, including those focused on molecular biology, biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical production, bioenergy, or disease diagnostics. Students earning this credential will have completed 5 out of 8 targeted Microcredentials, demonstrating a range of measurable and industry-relevant laboratory skills.


Instruction Method
In person


Required Microcredentials
Five of the following Microcredentials are required:

 

Potential Skills Acquired
Acquired skills will vary based on the Microcredentials obtained.

  • Experimental design
  • Scientific presentation
  • Beginning microscopy
  • Advanced microscopy
  • Aseptic technique: biosafety cabinet
  • Pipette usage
  • Solution mixology
  • Bacterial culture
  • Mammalian cell culture
  • Plant cell culture
  • Zoological identification
  • Microbe identification
  • Plant identification
  • Aseptic technique: bench
  • Protocol comprehension
  • C1V1=C2V2
  • Electrophoresis assay
  • PCR
  • Transformation
  • Spectrophotometry
  • pH
  • CRISPR
  • Membrane separation
  • Chromatgraphy
  • GC
  • Centrifugation
  • Beginning bioinformatics
  • Advanced bioinformatics
  • Lab safety fundamentals
  • Safety documentation

Courses to Be Completed
To earn this credential, the following courses must be successfully completed:

 

 

Course Name and Code
The shortest way to obtain all eight of these would be:

  • BIOL 2104 Biotechnology I
  • BIOL 2204 Biotechnology II
  • BIOL 2534 Cell Biology
  • BOTY 1614 Plant Biology
  • MBIO 2014 General Microbiology
  • ENSC 2921 Undergraduate Research I

 

 

Durable Skills Awarded

  • Critical thinking

 

 

 

Prerequisites
Depending on course, range from none to:

  • BIOL 1103 Introduction to Biotechnology and
  • BIOL 1544 Principles of Biology and
  • CHEM 1074 Fundamentals of Chemistry or
  • CHEM 1104 College Chemistry I

 

 

Credits Earned
21 academic credits towards CP in Pre-biotech, TC in Biotech, and an associate degree

 

 

Shortest Time to Completion
3 semesters

 

 

Industry Certification for Which the Student Becomes Eligible
Safety, Numeracy, Documentation, Aseptic Technique, Small Volume Metrology, Light Microscopy, Quantitative Skills I, Cell Density-Hemocytometer, Instrumentation pH, Preparation of Solutions, and Clean Up Microcredentials offered by the Bioscience Core Skills Institute (BCSI) 


Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the micro-pathway, students will be able to:

  • Comprehend and assess the safety of a laboratory setting
  • Comprehend and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and good manufacturing practices (GMPs)
  • Comprehend and utilize safety documents
  • Use aseptic technique for a laboratory benchtop
  • Use aseptic technique for a biosafety cabinet
  • Effectively utilize pipettes
  • Safely mix solutions according to SOP
  • Manage pure cultures of bacteria
  • Manage pure culture of either mammalian cells or plant cells
  • Create dilutions in a laboratory setting
  • Follow SOP to utilize electrophoresis assays
  • Follow SOP to utilize PCR
  • Follow SOP to utilize transformations
  • Follow SOP to utilize CRISPR
  • Follow SOP to utilize micro and benchtop centrifuges
  • Follow SOP to utilize spectrophotometers
  • Follow SOP to utilize pH meters
  • Follow SOP to utilize tangential and dead-end filtration
  • Follow SOP to utilize HIC chromatography
  • Follow SOP to utilize GC
  • Utilize government bioinformatic databases for basic gene/protein information
  • Gain information from bioinformatic database to answer a research question
  • Correctly identify microbe from an unknown culture
  • Correctly identify species of plant from an unknown culture
  • Create an experimental design for research
  • Present the research to peers in an academic setting

 

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