The goal of this course is to increase awareness of biotechnology research, its applications and related career opportunities among middle and high school educators. It is based on NCABR’s Mapping Your Future: Careers in Biomanufacturing curriculum manual.
The manual was updated comprehensively in spring 2014 to reflect the current biomanufacturing and biotechnology landscape in North Carolina.
The course is self-paced and incorporates a variety of modalities, including online learning modules and curriculum review. Participants will earn 10 contact hours (1 CEU) upon completion of the basic, required assignments and 10 additional contact hours (1 additional CEU) if the optional classroom implementation assignment for 3 of the course’s 5 units is completed.
View the North Carolina Essential Standards and Next Generation Science Standards for the curriculum manual and the Teacher Evaluation Matrix for the course.
This course was made possible by the Biogen Foundation.
How to Complete the Course
1. Make Sure You’re RegisteredHave you registered? If so, you will have received a confirmation email from NCABR. If you haven’t, please click the “Register Now” button at the top of the right column.
2. Read/Watch/Review the Assigned ResourcesAccess each assignment for Units I–V by clicking its link below. All assignments are required unless marked “Optional.”
3. Answer QuestionsAfter you complete the assignments for each section, you’ll need to answer questions about them. You can access these questions by clicking the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of this page. Each of the course’s 5 units also corresponds with an optional classroom implementation assignment. Completing 3 of these allows you to earn 10 additional contact hours. They can be accessed by clicking the the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of this page.
4. Complete EvaluationComplete the evaluation at the end of the “Submit My Answers” form. This is required in order to receive credit.
5. Finish in TimeMake sure you complete and submit all your answers by the last day of your 6-week window. If you do not finish the course by that time, we will not be able to grant you credit.
6. Receive CreditAfter reviewing your completed course materials, NCABR will mail a certificate stating the number of contact hours you have earned to the address you provided when you registered for the course.
Unit I: Biotechnology and its Applications
Learning Objectives
- The educator will define “biotechnology” in terms students would understand.
- The educator will explain the evolution of biotechnology over time using a technology tool.
- The educator will identify examples of biotechnology applications.
Section I–A
Answer Questions• Click the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of the page to answer questions for this section.
Section I–B
Answer Questions• Click the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of the page to answer questions for this section.
Section I–C
Watch Videos• “Heal, Feed, Sustain: How Biotechnology Can Help Save the World”
• Optional: “What is Biomanufacturing?”
• Optional: Bio Jobs for NC
Review PowerPoint• Practical Applications of Biotechnology
Answer Questions• Click the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of the page to answer questions for this section.
Unit II: Drug Discovery and Manufacturing
Learning Objectives
- The educator will explain the process a drug goes through to get to market.
- The educator will clarify what happens in a clinical trial.
- The educator will explain the importance of process analysis writing (step-by-step instructions) for biomanufacturing workers and other scientists.
- The educator will understand the importance of discussing bioethics with students.
Section II–A
Answer Questions• Click the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of the page to answer questions for this section.
Section II–B
Reading Assignments• The Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Industries: Regulated for Safety and Quality (pages 57–60)
• Clinical Trials (pages 61–63)
Review Websites• Optional: Pharmaceutical Regulation in the United States
• Optional: Good Manufacturing Practices
Answer Questions• Click the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of the page to answer questions for this section.
Section II–C
Reading Assignments• Producing a Pharmaceutical or Biopharmaceutical: The Manufacturing Process(pages 64–67)
• What Quality Means and Why It Matters (pages 68–69)
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Regulations (pages 70–71)
Watch Videos• Optional: Biotech: The First Step in Drug Development
• Optional: What is an SOP?
Answer Questions• Click the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of the page to answer questions for this section.
Unit III: Career Opportunities
Learning Objectives
- The educator will become acquainted with the diversity of biotechnology jobs.
- The educator will become familiar with four or more specific biotechnology jobs.
- The educator will identify resources that students could use to research biotechnology jobs.
Section III–A
Reading Assignments• Biotechnology Generates Opportunities (pages 91–94)
• Seizing the Opportunity (pages 95–96)
• On the Job: Careers in a Typical Bioscience Company (pages 97–105)
Watch Videos• Biopharmaceutical Career: Process Development Scientist
• Biopharmaceutical Career: Process Engineer
• Biopharmaceutical Career: Process Technician
• Biopharmaceutical Career: Quality Assurance Associate
• Biopharmaceutical Career: Quality Control Associate
• Biopharmaceutical Career: Validation Specialist
Review Websites• Aboutbioscience.org: Bioscience Careers
• Optional: North Carolina Commits to Biomanufacturing
• Optional: Careers in Biotechnology: A Counselor’s Guide to the Best Jobs in the United States
Answer Questions• Click the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of the page to answer questions for this section.
Unit IV: Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
Learning Objectives
- The educator will explain education needs for biotechnology industry.
- The educator will describe the skills needed to be successful in the biotechnology industry.
- The educator will develop an activity to demonstrate the importance of biotechnology skills.
Section IV–A
Reading Assignments• Taking Charge of Your Future (pages 147–148)
• Education (page 149)
• Basic Skills (pages 150–151)
• Scientific/Technical Knowledge and Skills (page 152)
• Employee Success Skills (pages 153–156)
Review Websites• Optional: A Day in the Life: Exploring Biomanufacturing Careers
• Optional: Biomanufacturing: An Inquiry Lesson in Growing Cells
• Optional: Biotechnology Jobs in North Carolina
Answer Questions• Click the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of the page to answer questions for this section.
Unit V: Additional Resources
Learning Objectives
- The educator will identify two top online biotechnology resources for educators.
- The educator will identify two top online biotechnology resources for students.
- The educator will develop an activity for students to interact with the specific biotechnology requirements of his or her classroom curriculum.
Section V–A
Reading Assignments• North Carolina Educational Opportunities (pages 163–164)
• General Teacher Resources (pages 165–167)
• Teacher Resources for Units I–IV (pages 168–172)
Review Websites• Review two websites from the Unit V Reading Assignment section above.
Answer Questions• Click the blue “Submit My Answers” button at the top right of the page to answer questions for this section.