Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

The standards and benchmarks for this program were updated for the 2026-27 academic year.

Program Title: 	Biotechnology Laboratory Specialist
Career Cluster: 	Health Science

College Credit Certificate	
CIP Number	0341010101	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	30 credit hours	
CTSO	HOSA, SkillsUSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	For program SOC codes, please see the Program and Course Tables section of the CTE Program Resources page linked below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Biotechnology Laboratory Technology AS degree program (1341010100).   

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster. 

This program offers a sequence of Biotechnology, Chemistry, Statistics, and Health courses providing sound workforce content along with both academic preparation and industry-standard technical skills needed to advance education and careers in the biotechnology career cluster.  This certificate provides for the development of technical ability, including competency-based applied learning to develop and enhance academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the biotechnology career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to broad biology and chemistry concepts, statistical analysis, documentation procedures, basic and advanced laboratory techniques and concepts, working in a regulated environment, and biohazard and safety procedures.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

When developing the course sequence for the local implementation of this program, select courses that:
•	Meet the skill development requirements of the standards and benchmarks of this program.
•	Where reasonable and practicable, align with programs offered by your institution or other postsecondary institutions in Florida, including: 
o	Related AS and AAS degrees.
o	Baccalaureate degrees within the same career pathway and/or Federal CIP code.

Visit FloridaShines’ Discover Programs website to identify other institutions that offer similar programs to review their course sequencing. Where appropriate, course alignment between institutions offering related programs can facilitate interagency student articulation.

Visit FloridaShines’ Common Prerequisites Manual to identify courses that are prerequisites for admission into an upper division program.  When sub-baccalaureate courses are aligned to the course admissions requirements of baccalaureate programs with the same career pathway, students can enter upper division coursework seamlessly.   

Florida’s Career Readiness Skills for CTE Programs

Employability Skills	
01.0	Apply academic skills to workplace scenarios.	
01.01	Use reading skills.	
01.02	Use writing skills.	
01.03	Use mathematical strategies and procedures.	
01.04	Use scientific principles and procedures.	
02.0	Design a solution to an industry problem.	
02.01	Use critical thinking.	
02.02	Use creativity.	
02.03	Make sound decisions.	
02.04	Solve problems.	
02.05	Reason. 	
02.06	Plan and organize.	
03.0	Manage resources within an industry project	
03.01	Manage time.	
03.02	Manage money or resources.	
03.03	Manage materials.	
03.04	Manage personnel.	
04.0	Oversee the subcomponents, operations and output of a technical or organizational system.	
04.01	Manage systems.	
04.02	Monitor systems.	
04.03	Improve systems.	
05.0	Use information for decision making.	
05.01	Locate information.	
05.02	Organize information.	
05.03	Use information.	
05.04	Analyze information.	
05.05	Communicate information.	
06.0	Apply relevant technology to workplace scenarios to aid productivity.	
06.01	Use technology.	
07.0	Interpret and express interpersonal communication.	
07.01	Communicate verbally.	
07.02	Listen actively.	
07.03	Comprehend written material.	
07.04	Convey information in writing.	
07.05	Communicate nonverbally.	
07.06	Interpret nonverbal communication.	
08.0	Interact with others to accomplish workplace goals.	
08.01	Collaborate with others in a team.	
08.02	Respond to customer needs.	
08.03	Exercise leadership.	
08.04	Negotiate to resolve conflict.	
08.05	Respect others.	
09.0	Manage personal behavior to maximize productivity and professional growth.	
09.01	Demonstrate responsibility and self-discipline.	
09.02	Adapt and show flexibility.	
09.03	Work independently.	
09.04	Demonstrate a willingness to learn.	
09.05	Demonstrate integrity.	
09.06	Demonstrate professionalism.	
09.07	Take initiative.	
09.08	Display positive attitude.	
09.09	Take responsibility for professional growth.	
Job Attainment	
10.0	Find, assess and apply to job opportunities.	
10.01	Identify online job posts relevant to his or her career aspirations.	
10.02	Compare and contrast the job posts’ required qualifications, job duties, compensation, benefits and employers. 	
10.03	Define what information, documentation and writing prompts are required for the positions.	
11.0	Communicate personal competence, character and fit for a job opportunity.	
11.01	Develop a resume.	
11.02	Write a cover letter.	
11.03	Curate a professional portfolio that includes work products.	
11.04	Prepare for and experience a mock job interview.	
12.0	Cultivate and leverage relationships to professionally advance.	
12.01	Request a signed reference letter, letter of recommendation and/or an online skill/professionalism endorsement. 	
12.02	Develop a plan to cultivate a professional digital footprint.	
12.03	Develop a networking plan for a specific industry of interest.	

Standards
 
After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:
01.0	Apply communication skills. 
02.0	Follow laboratory safety requirements. 
03.0	Apply basic laboratory skills. 
04.0	Follow regulatory compliance. 
05.0	Demonstrate appropriate decision-making and problem-solving techniques. 
06.0	Apply advanced laboratory skills.
07.0	Implement quality assurance/control measurements. 
08.0	Recognize facility and equipment maintenance. 

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title: 	Biotechnology Laboratory Specialist
CIP Number: 	0341010101
Program Length: 	30 credit hours 	

This certificate program is part of the Biotechnology Laboratory Technology AS degree program (1341010100).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Apply communication skills. The student will be able to:	
01.01	Prepare professional oral and written presentations.	
01.02	Comprehend and use correct scientific, technical, and medical vocabulary.	
01.03	Follow experimental protocols, laboratory protocols, and scientific literature.	
01.04	Identify experimental controls.	
01.05	Follow laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and scientific techniques.	
01.06	Maintain accurate laboratory records in notebooks, batch records, or other approved media. 	
01.07	Explore computerized databases, such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), and identify resources necessary for biotechnology.	
01.08	Recognize differences between peer-reviewed scientific references and non-scientific sources.	
01.09	Recognize the scientific process, including formulating a hypothesis.	
01.10	Illustrate an ethical application of artificial intelligence tools.	
02.0	Follow laboratory safety requirements. The student will be able to:	
02.01	Locate first aid supplies, eye wash station, emergency shower, co-worker contact, medical information, emergency and chemical protection, and evacuation plan.	
02.02	Follow correct safety procedures, guidelines, and chemical hygiene plans.	
02.03	Follow the required environmental health, safety, and laboratory training.	
02.04	Handle, store, and dispose of hazardous materials per appropriate MSDS, other safety guidelines, Worker Protection Standards (WPS), and/or appropriate regulatory guidelines (i.e., state, federal, local, accreditation, etc.).	
02.05	Follow standard precautions for biological pathogens using proper handling and disposal methods and follow guidelines of contamination control.	
02.06	Identify procedures for declaring a laboratory emergency and the appropriate institutional response procedures.	
03.0	Apply basic laboratory skills. The student will be able to:	
03.01	Obtain and read protocols, follow test procedures, use standard operating procedures (SOPs), and follow equipment manuals.	
03.02	Prioritize and perform multiple tasks in a timely manner, based upon priorities communicated by supervisor.	
03.03	Clean, organize, and sterilize materials and laboratory instruments when required.	
03.04	Organize supply inventory, date and label reagents, and store promptly upon arrival.	
03.05	Demonstrate knowledge of aseptic techniques and practice procedures such as hand-washing and specimen isolation.	
03.06	Master titration/pipetting techniques and measurement of volume/weights.	
03.07	Perform basic calculations, unit conversions, graphing of data, and statistical analysis.	
03.08	Calculate and prepare a dilutions series.	
03.09	Prepare solutions and reagents for laboratory use.	
03.10	Monitor physical properties of reagents, buffers, media, and solutions, and determine optimum conditions for use.	
03.11	Obtain and review appropriate procedures and test forms, prepare for laboratory inspections, and respond to the reports.	
03.12	Collect and set up samples for analysis.	
03.13	Perform general laboratory tests, including setup equipment, and perform/document tests and results.	
03.14	Demonstrate knowledge of chemical cross-contamination control between reagents from weighing implements, storage containers, and media.	
03.15	Make estimations and approximations and judge the reasonableness of the result.	
04.0	Follow regulatory compliance. The student will be able to:	
04.01	Follow guidelines from the appropriate regulatory, accreditation, and/or certification agencies, such as FDA, OSHA, USDA, NIH, NR, DOT, EPA, CDC, ISO/IEC, and NRC.	
04.02	Comply with principles using current Good Experimental Practices and quality improvement systems (e.g., GXP; GLP, GMP, GCP)	
05.0	Demonstrate appropriate decision-making and problem-solving techniques. The student will be able to:	
05.01	Identify decisions and compare alternatives.	
05.02	Make decisions based on facts, data, and analyses.	
05.03	Evaluate the experimental outcomes and draw conclusions.	
05.04	Diagnose problems, their urgency and causes, and maintain documentation as appropriate.	
05.05	Determine potential alternative hypotheses and further action(s).	
06.0	Apply advanced laboratory skills. The student will be able to:	
06.01	Apply microbiology skills, such as plating and aseptic techniques, growth on differential and selective media, and staining procedures.	
06.02	Utilize molecular biology techniques such as cloning and transformation.	
06.03	Perform immunological techniques, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, Western blot techniques, and conduct enzyme activity assays.	
06.04	Apply various molecular biology techniques, such as DNA, RNA, protein, isolation, quantitation, amplification, characterization, molecular stability, electrophoresis, hybridization techniques, and construction of recombinant vectors.	
06.05	Perform translation assays, construction of DNA libraries, and labeling techniques.	
06.06	Compare chemical assays, such as measuring turbidity, viscosity, density, quantitative analysis, distillation techniques, titration techniques, employing dyes and indicators, and lyophilization.	
06.07	Demonstrate knowledge of instrument-based separation, such as various chromatography techniques and other separation methodologies (e.g., FACS).	
06.08	Demonstrate knowledge of various techniques associated with animal, plant, and/or microbial cell culture, including isolation, maintenance, characterization, and storage of pure cultures.	
06.09	Summarize the principles underlying spectroscopic analysis.	
07.0	Implement quality assurance/control measurements. The student will be able to:	
07.01	Perform quality tests, follow SOPs, and complete batch records.	
07.02	Verify test standards and maintain Quality Assurance records.	
07.03	Archive samples and documents.	
07.04	Inspect and verify the integrity of product, procedure, and specimen.	
07.05	Explain the role of statistical trend analysis for the release of the final product.	
07.06	Investigate complaints and take corrective action.	
08.0	Recognize facility and equipment maintenance. The student will be able to:	
08.01	Describe the essential conditions for the facility and equipment for laboratory maintenance (e.g., growth chamber, laboratory, greenhouse, storage room, animal room, freezers, or manufacturing site).	
08.02	Notify appropriate personnel when required conditions in the facility are not met.	
08.03	Clean work area according to SOPs and/or facility requirements.	
08.04	Label equipment following facility requirements.	
08.05	Check for equipment calibration and equipment logs.	
08.06	Operate laboratory equipment and instrumentation after familiarization with manuals and/or training.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Special Notes

This program is designed to prepare students for employment as Biotechnology Research Technicians, Biological Technicians, cell culture technicians, or biotechnology manufacturing technicians, and/or to supply supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

CTSOs are co-curricular career and technical student organizations providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. Other CTSOs not listed in this curriculum framework or recognized by the Florida Department of Education are permissible provided they support student mastery over the standards and benchmarks of this curriculum framework.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.