Austin Community College
Topics and Credentials:
Websites and Contacts
InnovATEBIO member(s):
Linnea Fletcher
Jennifer Lazare
Poornima Rao
Joseph Oleniczak
Jeremy Garza
Kissaou Tchedre
Evelyn Apple
Steven Spurlock
Articulation:
Credits from our college transfer to four year institutions as part of a statewide transfer agreement.
Students from this program have continued their education at:
The University of Texas
Where have our graduates been hired?
(Includes internships)
ACC Bioscience incubator, Agilent (was Stratagene/BioCrest), Alk-Abello, Asuragen, Austin Community College, Bioo Scientific (PerkinElmer), Cenetron, CPL Medical Testing Laboratory, Dendreon, Fabrico Technology Inc., FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Genotox, Insys, IsoStem Inc, KJ Scientific, Luminex, Microbac Laboratories, Microchem Laboratories, Molecular Templates, MD Anderson Cancer Research Center, Mystic Pharmaceuticals, Nuclin, PetaOmics, Pfizer, PPD, Rules-Based Medicine (now MyriadRBM), TeVido BioDevices, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas State University , ThermoFisher (was Ambion), Spot On Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, USDA, XBiotech, Xeris, XYZ Laboratories
Program description:
Biotechnology education got underway at Austin Community College in 1999 when the college became a regional center for Bio-Link. Since that time, Austin has earned a reputation as a leader in biotechnology education. In 2019 ACC became the home for the National Biotechnology Education Center InnovATEBIO.
The Biotechnology Program at Austin Community College works with the local bioscience industry to educate students in basic laboratory skills, math skills, genetic engineering, protein purification, cell culture, quality assurance and quality control principles, regulations, bioinformatics, computer skills, ethics, documentation, and teamwork. Students are educated to work in a variety of positions that span different kinds of companies including Pharmaceutical, Molecular Diagnostics, Manufacturing, Research and Cancer Research, Fisheries and Wildlife and Cell Culture. The State of Texas has adopted the Washington Skill Standards for Biotechnology. The Austin Community College Biotechnology Program was the 1st program in the state to formally adopt these standards and receive program recognition from the Texas Skill Standards Board.
ACC offers four kinds of degrees and certificates:
- Level One Biotechnology Certificate: two semesters, courses include introduction to biotechnology, biotechnology methods, quality assurance, and an internship. This certificate prepares students to function as entry-level biotechnicians in the laboratory or in biotechnology manufacturing. This is also offered in our dual credit high schools.
- Advanced Technical Certificate in Biotechnology: this is a post-baccalaureate certificate. A student must hold a baccalaureate or associates degree in order to be admitted to the program.
- Associate of Applied Science in Biotechnology: five semesters, courses are the same as the advanced technical certificate, but includes course work for an associates degree.
Credits from the two core courses in the program, Biotech I (1414) and Biotech II (1415) transfer to all public Universities in Texas.
Austin Community College
Austin
TX
Key Links
MSI Status:
- HSI: Hispanic Serving Institution
This program has an industry advisory board
ATE Project(s):
K-12 Partners
School Partner(s):- Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
- Anderson High School
- Liberal Arts and Science Academy
- Harmony Science Academy - Pflugerville
- Georgetown High School
- Irvin High School
- Maxine Silva Health Magnet High School
- East View High School
- Navarro ECHS
- Akins High School
- Cedar Ridge High School
- St. Michael's Catholic Academy
- All Saints' Episcopal School
Grant Support:
- DUE 2202011 Increasing Student Retention and Recruitment through Alumni Programs, Speed Networking, and Industry Engagement
- DUE 2055607, Dual Credit High School-Community College DNA Sequencing and Genomics Project
- DUE 1901984, InnovATEBIO National Biotechnology Education Center
- DUE 1501207, Austin Community College Bio-Link Regional Center
- Wagner Peyser Grant
- Texas Emerging Technology Fund
- Department of Labor
- DUE 1003852, Stem Cell Pipeline
- DUE 1118679, Community College Undergraduate Research Intitiative
- Perkins State Leadership Grant
- Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Award Type(s):
NSF-ATE
State Grant
US Department of Labor (DOL)
CSO or Incubator
Website Link:
Description:
The ACC Bioscience Incubator is a wet lab facility and business incubator that works to accelerate the growth of Central Texas’ biotechnology economy while training a skilled workforce. It was started with an Emerging Technology Fund Grant based on data collected by the ACC Biotechnology Program showing that community college interns accelerate product development for companies.
