Agricultural Biotechnology

Agricultural biotechnology prepares students for hands-on work in laboratory settings as well as work in settings with an agricultural focus.  Duties may involve genetic testing to identify beneficial traits in both animals and plants, identifying bacteria in the microbiome to guide decisions about which nutrients must be added to soils, or environmental testing to help growers determine when crops need to be watered and the best times for harvest.    

At Alamance Community College, the Agricultural Biotechnology curriculum focuses on the application of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to the study of biomolecular structures, functions, and processes specific to plants and plant substances.  Course work includes instruction in the biochemistry of plant cells, nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions, molecular cytostructures, photosynthesis, plant molecular genetics, and the molecular biology of plant diseases.

Courses in an agricultural biotech program may include:

  • Ag Science
  • Animal Science
  • Technical Writing 
  • College Algebra 
  • Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Biostatistics
  • Cell Culture
  • Chemistry
  • Lab methods for Ag-Biotechnology
  • Molecular Biology for Ag-Biotechnology 
  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Quality
  • Plant Propagation
  • Plant Science 
  • Soils and Fertilizers