Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biotechnology, Greenhouse Production Concentration, AAS


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The Biotechnology Associated in Applied Sciences (AAS) Degree has the three areas of concentration: Greenhouse Production Concentration, Animal Science Concentration  and Biomass Operations Technology Concentration  .

The Biotechnology - Greenhouse Production AAS degree is designed to prepare students to work in agricultural and horticultural laboratories, greenhouses and field sites. Technicians may work in the areas of laboratory research, product development, quality control, manufacturing and testing. Specific career opportunities could require skills related to genetic engineering of plants or microorganisms, plant breeding and propagation, plant tissue cloning and extraction and purification of commercially or medically important compounds from plant tissues. The degree is structured to allow students to develop marketable job skills while incorporating the requirements for an Associate in Applied Sciences degree. The program includes many hands on and lab-based courses, which enable students to apply what they learn in biology, microbiology, horticulture, genetics, chemistry, statistics, and molecular biology. Specific skills such as written and oral communications, critical thinking, problem-solving, computer skills and small group collaboration are an integral part of the program. Students participate in internships in cooperation with potential employers. Please check with the Biotechnology program chairperson or an advisor for additional assistance. Total minimum credits required to complete this AAS degree is 71. Graduates of the Biotechnology - Greenhouse Production AAS degree also qualify to be awarded the Horticulture Greenhouse Production Certificate  and the Biotechnology Laboratory Methods Certificate  .

For more information about the Biotechnology program, please visit our website at https://www.dmacc.edu/programs/biotechnology/Pages/welcome.aspx.

Program Details


Location: Ankeny


Selected courses in this program are offered at other campuses.

Students start Fall or Spring semester


Program Entry Requirements


  1. Complete an application for admission to the Biotechnology Program.
  2. Satisfy the assessment requirement.
  3. Attend any required information/registration session.
  4. Must submit proof of one year of high school chemistry or Academic Achievement Center Chemistry I & II or successful completion of CHM 122  .
  5. Must submit proof of two years of high school algebra or MAT 063  and MAT 073  .

Graduation Requirements


To earn a Biotechnology AAS degree, a student must be accepted into the Biotechnology program, complete all course work as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 1


Required Course(s)


Semester 2


Required Course(s)


Option 2 - Select 1 Course


Semester 4


Required Course(s)


Total Credits Required to Complete the Degree - 70*


*Total credits are calculated using the least number of credits needed to satisfy the option requirements.

Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$151.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


  Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5
Books (approximate) 275 280 180 230 275
Supplies 120 120 125 125 120

Approximate total for program: $12,420**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Record, analyze, summarize and present data.
  • Properly use, calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment.
  • Prepare reagents and chemicals used in the laboratory.
  • Design and conduct basic laboratory experiments or processes.
  • Use current technology such as gel electrophoresis, chromatography, or protein and DNA analysis for research, manufacturing or quality control processes

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Good interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in groups or teams.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Accuracy and attention to detail.
  • A good understanding of concepts of biology, chemistry, math and computers.
  • Self-motivation and ability to complete projects on time.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?


  • This is a competitive and rapidly changing field. You need to continually learn new things and to keep your skills up to date.
  • This field requires attention to detail and an ability to recognize and solve problems.
  • Some parts of the job can be very repetitive.
  • There is opportunity for advancement, but it will often require additional formal education in addition to demonstrated performance as described above.
  • This is a rapidly growing field with more than 1,000 biotech companies, academic institutions, state biotech centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations searching for students trained in biotechnology (iowabio.org).
  • Anticipated average starting salary $25,000-$38,000 dependent on industry and position.  Benefits often include: training, healthcare, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, competitive pay, bonus programs and retirement plans.

Nondiscrimination Statement


DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu.  Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6574, dkmckittrick@dmacc.edu.  Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).(2017)

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