Program Overview
The SLCC Biotechnology AS Program prepares students for employment in Utah's growing biotech industry, while also preparing them for transfer to higher education. Most SLCC Biotech students get an industry job well before or soon after they earn their AS, and most biotech employers offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit.
Career Opportunities
Biotechnology is a growing industry in Utah, and employers offer good pay, benefits, and opportunities for advancement. According to jobs.utah.gov (May 2023), the median salary for Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians in the Salt Lake metro area is $77,880.
What You Will Learn
- Describe applications of biotechnology, and the role of biotechnology in society.
- Describe how genetic information is transmitted and expressed.
- Show competency in hands-on experiments in biotechnology.
- Present scientific data and biotechnology-related concepts clearly and effectively through written and visual formats.
Transfer Pathway
Upon finishing the requirements for an AS degree in Biotechnology, and after acceptance into a major program, a student should be able to obtain a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution with two additional years of study. Additionally, Utah Valley University (UVU) and Utah Tech (UT) accept the Biotechnology AS as transfer credit for their Biotechnology BS.
Estimated Cost
- Books: Biotechnology courses do not require textbooks. Costs for non-BTEC textbooks will vary depending on the courses chosen.
- Supplies: $10
- Course Fees: $20
Career Outlook
Some careers shown require further education beyond this program.
Additional Information
Biotechnology courses are offered for credit, in a competency-based education (CBE) format. Classes are not scheduled in the traditional way; instead, students work online and attend the open learning lab as their schedules permit. Students work at their own pace, and have the opportunity to accelerate completion. Students must achieve a B or better in all aspects of biotechnology courses in order to move on to the next course.