| BIOTECHNOLOGY
School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety • Associate of Science Degree in Biotechnology Program Description
The biotechnology program prepares students for employment in the biotechnology industry and in facilities conducting research and development. The field of biotechnology represents a wide range of interrelated activities that includes DNA/protein analysis, biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, bioinformatics and proteomics. The applications of biotechnology include pharmaceuticals, agriculture, the diagnosis and treatment of disease, vaccines, forensics and bioremediation. Students will attain knowledge and laboratory skills in molecular biology, recombinant DNA, immunology, protein purification and tissue culture.
The program provides classroom and hands-on laboratory learning experiences. Students will also participate in a supervised internship at laboratory facilities during the final term of the program. Career and Advancement Opportunities
Biotechnology is an emerging industry in New Mexico. National trends indicate that upon graduation with an associate degree or certificate from a community college, 51 percent of students accepted full-time employment in industry, while 19 percent accepted part-time employment. The national mean salary for entry-level positions is slightly above $24,000, although the range is $22,000 to $32,000. Skilled biotechnology technicians work in a variety of scientific fields, including: research and development; service and quality assurance; forensics; food, water, soil and product testing laboratories; and manufacturing facilities. They are employed in biomedical facilities, medical reference laboratories, diagnostic laboratories, colleges and universities, national research laboratories, drug manufacturing companies and private industry.
Special Requirements
Prior to beginning the Biotechnology Core courses students must have a high school diploma or equivalent, be admitted to CNM, declare Biotechnology as a major, establish a CNM grade point average of 2.0 or better and complete the arts & sciences prerequisites. If necessary, the selection of students into the program will be determined by the number of completed arts & sciences courses required for the degree and date of declared major of Biotechnology.
All Health, Wellness & Public Safety career and technical courses required for graduation must be taken for a traditional grade of A, B or C. For Health, Wellness & Public Safety career and technical courses offered only for credit/no credit, a grade of credit (CR) must be earned.
Graduation Policy
Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division students must graduate under the current catalog.
Pre- and corequisites are listed in course descriptions and are subject to change with each new catalog. It is the student’s responsibility to meet the pre- and/or corequisites in effect for the term in which a course is taken, regardless of the catalog under which the student entered or will graduate. Students may be stopped from enrolling or may be disenrolled if pre- or corequisites are not met.
Students who have successfully completed courses that no longer exist from previous catalogs will be accommodated. Contact the department at (505) 224-4111 for more information. CONTACT INFORMATION
Program information is available from the program director, Leah Pulling, lpulling@cnm.edu, (505) 224-5032 and from Academic Advisement and Career Development at (505) 224-5056 (South Valley) or (505) 224-4321. Information sessions covering the petition and selection process and Biotechnology career opportunities are scheduled several times each semester. Dates and times for these sessions can be found under the Information Sessions link on this webpage, as well as by calling the Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division information hotline at
(505) 224-4161. |
