Bypass navigation bar Locations navigation bar Search Box Header navigation bar Breadcrumb navigation bar Side navigation bar Footer navigation bar Footer Home Search
Are you fascinated by biology and how living organisms work? Have you always dreamed of working in a laboratory? Would you like to be on the cutting edge of scientific advancement in a field that touches almost every part of our lives?
Biotechnology may not be a career field that you’ve considered — but it’s time to think now about the exciting and challenging jobs that are possible with today’s rapidly expanding technologies.
Biotechnology at a Glance
Looking for a quick overview of the Biotechnology program? Take a look at Biotechnology at a Glance for a summary of what a biological or clinical lab technician does and the degrees and certificates El Centro College offers.
What is Biotechnology?
Although it encompasses a group of technologies, biotechnology by its simplest definition is using living things to make products or processes.
Traditional biotechnology techniques — which have been used for centuries — include using microorganisms to:
Recently, the word has come to refer to the production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or the manufacture of products from genetically modified microorganisms. Current applications include:
Growth of the Biotechnology Industry
According to the Biotechnology Institute’s industry facts, the biotechnology industry generates nearly $40 billion a year in the United States. The industry is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Biotechnology Degree and Certificate OptionsEl Centro College
Many students who earn an associate degree in Biotechnology double-major in Medical Laboratory Technology at El Centro College.