Program Description
SUNY Erie’s Associate Degree in Applied Science in Biotechnological Science offers students the training and laboratory skills necessary for gainful employment in the pharmaceutical, and food processing industries.
Industry experts suggest a shortage of qualified technicians exists within the regional workforce in Biotechnology and Advanced Manufacturing practices in Western New York. To fill this need for trained technicians, Biotechnological Science’s AAS curriculum has been carefully developed through a combined effort of local industry professionals and academicians. The structure of the core curriculum offers training in the basic principles of Advanced Manufacturing; but most importantly, it offers multiple hands-on laboratory experiences enabling the student to apply the theory to the process.
The Biotechnological Science program offers two different concentrations to prepare students to work in high demand industries.
Biotechnological Science Standard Concentration:
The AAS degree incorporates the existing Biotechnological Science Certificate stacked as the first year of curriculum while the second year expands core courses in Biotechnological Science combined with a broad spectrum of the following disciplines: Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). This design is intended to produce well-rounded graduates who have career options and the transferable skills necessary to obtain employment in pharmaceutical, medical device and food technology or quality laboratories. Graduates will maintain quality in ensuring that high quality products are produced in a safe and clean environment.
Graduates will seek positions as technicians in manufacturing, research, quality systems, and food processing. Or, they can seamlessly continue their education with our program articulation agreements with SUNY Buffalo State College or Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and SUNY at Buffalo.
Biotechnological Science Cannabis Concentration:
The Cannabis Industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States and Western New York. You will learn necessary skills required to work in the cannabis industry. This includes ever changing state and federal laws, benefits of cannabis, product production and understanding the endocannabinoid system. The cannabis curriculum produces well rounded graduates with laboratory skills transferrable to many positions within the industry.
Graduates will seek positions as industrial cannabis technicians whose responsibilities include equipment operation, product quality control, and pest management. They maintain inventory in the laboratory and ensure high quality products that are produced in a safe and clean environment. Graduates can also work as a quality inspector to maintain compliance with health, safety and potency standards. Inspectors may enforce cannabis cultivation and regulations. The curriculum also instills knowledge of horticulture, botany and pest management, enabling graduates to work in cultivation positions.