Degree: Certificate
HEGIS Code: 5205
Curriculum Code: 2150
Campus Location: North
Health Sciences Division
Program Description
ECC’s Biomanufacturing Certificate Program provides graduates with an affordable education that combines actual biomanufacturing practices, lean manufacturing and hands-on lab equipment experiences. Students interested in science, technology, engineering and math will be equipped with the technical skills needed to begin a career right here in Western New York.
Erie Community College has partnered with local pharmaceutical, medical device and food processing companies to train entry-level biomanufacturing technicians, ones who can produce new drug discoveries, biomedical devices used in surgeries, and food products in a very clean environment.
Industry technicians are in high demand not only in Western New York but also throughout the United States. Graduates of this program can expect to work in a manufacturing environment that is clean and regulated by the FDA ensuring these products are safe or human use. Graduates of this program can select from several career paths as technicians or operators of clean room manufacturing, research and development of new drugs, product testing of new medical devices, or in food manufacturing and safety. You don’t have to be a scientist to work in this industry. There are plenty of opportunities for a wonderful career.
The Instructors who teach our core courses work in biomanufacturing and food production Industries. The program’s curriculum encompasses courses in good manufacturing practices, lean manufacturing and regulatory compliance agency guidelines. Students practice how to read, write and interpret standard operating procedures. They are instructed in aseptic processes, bio-safety and basic laboratory skills. They will have hands-on training in laboratory equipment, cleanroom simulation and gowning to meet specific needs of local industry.
In the second semester students choose between two options of study:
Option A: Pharmaceutical/Medical Device; or Option B: Food Processing.
Option A: Pharmaceutical/Medical Device
Graduate job opportunities include such positions as:
- pharmaceutical production;
- quality control technician;
- medical device technician; and
- medical device quality control technician.
Fact: Western New York companies are hiring biotechnicians to manufacture new drugs and surgical medical devices discovered through biotechnology research.
Option B: Food Processing
Graduate job opportunities include such positions as:
- food processing technician;
- food processing quality control technician; and
- food processing operators.
Fact: There are over 700 food manufacturers in Western New York employing over 18,000 people. Microbreweries, distilleries, yogurt, ice cream and cheese producers need biotechnicians.
Admission Criteria includes:
- high school graduate or HSE (High School Equivalency);
- overall high school average of 75 percent within the last five years;
- an 75 percent final grade in high school general biology and chemistry;
- a minimum placement test result at the Math 013 and English 110 level;
- a minimum college GPA of 2.2 within the last 5 years;
- completion of all required developmental English courses;
- completion of developmental math course MT 006; and
- completion of Biology 107 achieving a minimal grade of “C” within the last 5 years.
Department Notes
- Lab coats must be worn and all safety protocol followed in all laboratory courses.
- Students are responsible for providing transportation to off-campus industry sites utilized for tours or biomanufacturing training.
- Students must complete the biomanufacturing courses within a two-year limit.
- Students must achieve an overall QPA of 2.0.
Progression
The student must maintain a minimum grade of “C” in all biomanufacturing (BT) courses and must receive a minimum grade of “C-“ in all other required coursework. All courses may be repeated only once if minimal grades are not attained or if the student has withdrawn (W) from the course. BT courses are integrated and sequenced in a specific manner to enable students to attain program competencies. All required courses must be passed each semester in order to advance to the following semester.
A second failure in a repeated course (a grade below a “C” in BT courses, a failing grade (F) in all other courses, or a second withdrawal (W) from that course) will result in dismissal from the Biomanufacturing Program. Because of the critical nature of the profession, deviations from professional conduct may adversely affect the patient’s well-being. Therefore, the department reserves the right to immediately remove the student from didactic, laboratory and clinical course work and/or dismiss that student from the program if the department determines that the student has acted in an unprofessional manner or if the student is unable to provide safe laboratory practices.
Essential Functions
In order for the student to perform the essential functions of the biomanufacturing professions, the following technical standards are required of students entering the Biomanufacturing Program.
Vision:
The student must be able to read charts and graphs, discriminate colors, read instrument scales, observe microscopic material, and record results.
Speech and Hearing:
The student must be able to communicate effectively.
Fine Motor Functions:
The student must manifest all the skills which would enable manipulation of laboratory supplies and instrumentation.
Psychological Stability:
The student must demonstrate the emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities.
Program Competencies
Upon graduation with a Biomanufacturing certificate, the graduate will be able to:
- identify direct causes of technical or instrumental problems and make appropriate correction using pre-set strategies;
- calculate laboratory exercises if necessary;
- operate equipment or instruments;
- prepare reagents and media according to prescribed procedures;
- perform, record and evaluate all quality control procedures;
- report results in writing, orally or by computer conforming to established procedures;
- observe established safety measures;
- maintain the work area in a clean, orderly condition;
- demonstrate behavior consistent with acceptable professional conduct standards, such as appearance, quality of work, quantity of work, human relation skills, leadership skills, written, and verbal communication skills; and
- discuss continuing education opportunities in biomanufacturing.
Curriculum
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