General Catalog 2025-2026

Biotechnology (AAS)

The Associate of Applied Science Degree Program in Biotechnology has as its goal the formation of professionals who possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will allow them to make responsible contributions to the scientific development of our society and advance biotechnology. To achieve this goal, the Program aims to enrich the knowledge and skills of students in the area of biotechnology by offering basic and intermediate level courses. The Program will prepare students to work in research laboratories and in the development of biosciences. It will also develop students’ competencies that will allow them to work in industry or in other agencies as technical personnel with knowledge focused in the area of biotechnology.

The Barranquitas Campus is authorized to offer this program.

Competencies Profile of Graduates

This Program is designed to develop the competencies that will enable students to:

Knowledge

  1. Know the importance of the interdisciplinary character of biotechnology.
  2. Know the foundations of the biological, chemical, physical, mathematical and the informatics processes that are the base of biotechnology.
  3. Know the biotechnological processes that can be applied to generate products and services in the medical, environmental, agricultural, and industrial areas, among others.
  4. Know the fundamental concepts of live organisms and of microorganisms.
  5. Know the genetic processes that are developed in the cell, as well as the structure and function of nucleic acids and their role in genetic information.
  6. Know the importance the contributions of biotechnology in the development of knowledge.

Skills

  1. Apply the knowledge of biotechnology in basic research in the area.
  2. Identify suitable instrumental and informatics technical skills for concrete biotechnological processes.
  3. Apply the scientific method, the skills and the basic and complex laboratory techniques for problem solving in the biotechnology area.
  4. Analyze the processes of the growth of cells and biopolymers for the manufacture of biological products in order that these may meet the principles of quality and with the requirements and regulations that apply to the biotechnological industry.
  5. Analyze the principles and the application of the techniques of molecular biotechnology and their benefits for human beings.

Attitudes

  1. Show appreciation for genetic attributes in their natural form.
  2. Value the ethical and moral principles which must govern biotechnology.
  3. Show respect for the environment.

Requirements for the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Biotechnology

General Education Requirements 24 credits
Major Requirements 38 credits
Total 62 credits

General Education Requirements - 24 credits

GESP Spanish - Select 6 credits from the GESP category

6

GEEN English - Select 6 credits from the GEEN category

6

GEP-GECF 1010Introduction to the Christian Faith

3

GEP-GEIC 1010Information and Computing Technologies

3

GEP-GEMA 1200Fundamentals of Algebra

3

 

GEP-GEHS 2010Historical Process of Contemporary Puerto Rico

3

Or

GEP-GEEC 2000Entrepreneurial Culture

3

Major Requirements - 38 credits

BIOL 1101General Biology I

3

BIOL 1102General Biology II

3

BIOL 1103Biology Skills Laboratory I

1

BIOL 2013Biol 2013 Skills Laboratory II

1

BIOL 2153Biostatistics

3

BIOL 3105General Microbiology

4

BIOT 2160Molecular Genetics

3

BIOT 2250Biomanufacturing

4

BIOT 3250Molecular Biotechnology

3

MATH 1500Precalculus

5

CHEM 1111General Chemistry I

4

CHEM 2212General Chemistry II

4