Upon completion of the Biotechnology program at RCTC, students will achieve the following outcomes:
- Explain and properly apply the scientific method by developing valid hypotheses, designing experiments, gathering relevant data using current technology, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data.
- Prepare written and oral scientific communications that use tables and graphs to report results, that describe detailed experimental procedures, and that clearly explain conclusions.
- Critically evaluate contributions to science reported in all forms of media, and be able to identify valid approaches to scientific problem solving and reporting.
- Exhibit growth in academic performance and personal and professional responsibility.
- Exhibit an ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Demonstrate proficiency in basic laboratory skills common to clinical and non-clinical research laboratories, including aseptic technique, making accurate and precise measurements using balances and macro- and micro-pipetting, using a microscope, preparing solutions, operating current instrumentation, preparing samples for various analyses, and maintaining a proper scientific laboratory notebook.
- Design, perform, and analyze results of experiments using basic molecular biology methodologies and recombinant DNA techniques, including agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme digestion, bacterial transformations, plasmid DNA protein expression, PCR, and tissue culture.
- Apply the fundamentals of molecular biology theories, methodologies, and techniques by critically analyzing, interpreting, and presenting a recent and relevant scientific research paper that has been published in a refereed scientific journal.
- Understand the foundational concepts of molecular biology, and how these impact biotechnology research and development in the diverse fields that span healthcare and agriculture.