1998 Agricultural Biotechnology Curriculum Model

Course: Instrumentation & Introduction to Basic Laboratory Methods

Description: Covers basic concepts and techniques necessary to work effectively in a laboratory setting. The nature of science lab work and the role of the technician will be discussed. Teaches basic skills, including measuring, weighing, mixing solutions, following and writing protocols, keeping records and using instrument manuals and catalogs. Introduces instruments commonly used in the lab, including pH meters and spectrophotometers, filtration devices, centrifuges and computers.

Course: Introduction to Biotechnology and Biotechnology Applications

Description: Provides a broad introduction to biotechnology including the scientific basis of the technologies and their historical development with an emphasis on current applications in the areas of agriculture, medicine, forensics and the environment.

Course: Chromatography and Introduction to Bio-Separation Techniques

Description: Introduces the basic concepts involved in separation of biomolecules. Students complete lab work using a variety of chromatographic methods including: paper, thin layer, gel permeation, gas, and high performance liquid chromatography. Students also learn to interpret chromatographic results and practice documentation and reporting skills.

Course: Fermentation Technology

Description: Covers basic techniques of fermentation technology, including the principles of isolation, identification, improvement, preservation and growth of industrial microorganisms. Emphasizes the use of fermentation equipment to obtain products.

Course: Hazardous Materials and Radioisotopes

Description: Surveys potential laboratory hazards and safety procedures. Covers regulation of chemicals: flammable, reactive, corrosive and toxic substances. Lab included. Surveys potential hazards and safety procedures associated with radioisotopes. Lab exercises involve liquid scintillation counting and autoradiography. No prerequisites.

Course: Applied Biochemistry

Description: Introduction to major chemical constituents of cells including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. The structure and kinetics of enzymes, reaction mechanisms and metabolic pathways are also included.

Course: Protein Bio-Separation Methods

Description: Introduces the general strategies commonly used to purify proteins. Specific methods include determining specific activities for enzymes, extraction of proteins from bacterial cells, salting out, dialysis, ion exchange chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Course: Cell Culturing

Description: Covers the basic techniques of plant and animal cell culture. Plant unit includes media preparation isolation of explants and establishment of callus from suspension cultures, growth factor bioassays, regeneration of whole plants from tissue and plant genetic engineering techniques. Mammalian cell unit includes media preparation, maintenance of cultured cells, transfection of cultured cells, cloning, monoclonal antibody production, and ELISA assays.

Course: Occupational Work Experience

Description: Students work in a biotechnology laboratory. Emphasizes the integration of academics and practical experiences. Prerequisties: Successful completion of all program courses in the first three semesters of the program, or consent of instructor, and successful completion of a performance exam.

Course: Molecular Biology 1: Introduction to Molecular Biology Technologies

Description: Introduces modern molecular biology technologies including basic recombinant DNA techniques and nucleic acid analysis and purification. Historical background is presented for an understanding of the context in which modern techniques are performed.

Course: Molecular Biology 2: General and Applied Microbiology

Description: Surveys advanced techniques in molecular biology including blotting, polymerase chain reaction, recombinant DNA, and large scale DNA purification. The course blends discussion of concepts and current research with practical laboratory experience.

Course: Research Techniques

Description: Introduces research methods in the biological sciences, including the scientific method, literature search strategies, collection and analysis of data and scientific writing and presentation skills. With assistance from the instructors, students choose an independent research project involving such methods as protein purification and characterization and recombinant DNA technology. Regular consultations are scheduled with instructors and other area scientists as the project dictates.

 Knowledge Area: Biology

Scientific method	Mendelian genetics	Plant disease transmission
Experimental design	Asexual and sexual mechanisms	Bioethics
Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen cycles	Plant classification	DNA/RNA/Protein synthesis
Plant growth elements	Plant anatomy	Genetic vectors
Cell biology	---	---

 Knowledge area: Microbiology

Aseptic technique	In vitro culturing	Antigen/anti-body mechanisms
Growth curves	Plant and environmental microbial pests	---

 Knowledge Area: Chemistry

Molarity and pH	Periodic table use	Carbohydrate and lipid chemistry
Acid/base mechanisms	Distillation	Vitamin/nutrient metabolism
Chemical formula/reactions	Enzyme function	Radioactivity
Chemical bonding	Plant metabolism	Fluorescence/ luminescence
Toxicology	---	---

 Knowledge Area: Math

Algebra, graphing	Scientific notation
Ratios, percentages, fractions	Basic calculus
Metric measurements	Measurement principles
Basic statistics	---

 Knowledge Area: Communication

Tech. Vocabulary	Interact with lab personnel
Protocol comprehension	Update technical summaries
Research lab notebook	---

 Knowledge Area: Safety

First Aid and safety plans	Recognize safety symbols
Chemical safety regulations	Understand MSDS and safety standards
Biological pathogen regulations	Protective equipment
Laminar flow/safety cabinet regulations	Radioactive regulations

 Knowledge area: Lab skills

Use Scientific method Operate centrifuges	Determine optimum conditions.	---
Read/follow Standard Operating Procedures	Micropipetter technique	Perform tests/assays
Check equipment	Prepare reagents/buffers	Perform separation techniques
Sterilize equipment	Reagent integrity	Operate chromatography equip.
Organize reagents	Sterile filter reagents	Dispose/archive samples properly
Perform math calculations	Dilution series	Label/date supplies

 Knowledge Area: Manufacturing

Follow SOP and batch record	Perform proper cleaning and sterilization
Set up equipment properly	---

 Knowledge Area: Compliance

Follow United States Department of Agriculture	Follow Center for Disease Control
Follow National Institutes of Health	Follow state/local regulations
Follow Environmental Protection Agency	Perform using current Good Management Practices

 Skill Area: Lab Skills (This is a separate category from Laboratory Knowledge Area. These are skill sets for the student.)

Microbiology skills	Perform bioassays	Perform protein assays
Maintain equipment/lab	Detect nucleic acid sequences	Use controls/standards
Prepare media, buffers	Isolate DNA, RNA	Maintain Q/A logs
Identify and quantify	Perform restriction digests	Monitor growth chambers
Maintain pure cultures	Perform electrophoresis	Clean work area according to SOP
Harvest cells	Label nucleic acids	Sample growth environment
Transform cells	Sequence DNA	Clean room integrity
Isolate/characterize cell lines	Perform PCR	Maintain cultures
Propagate plant tissues	Detect proteins	Collect biological data in data base and analyze
Use cryogenic techniques	Precipitate proteins	Make growth media
Use microscopes	Characterize proteins	Monitor plants growth/development
Perform cytological tests	Concentrate proteins	Monitor data electronically
Document product specifications	---	---

Specific Recommendations from Participants

Theis report was prepared by Bill Thieman, Special Projects Coordinator, Central Coast Biotechnology Center. If you are planning to implement an agricultural biotechnology curriculum, already have one, or have any questions about this report or survey, please contact Bill at (805) 648 8954 or bthieman@ventura.cc.ca.us. Thank you.

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