Biotechnology 1-2: A one-year laboratory course consisting of two semesters that serves as an introduction to the field of biotechnology. Includes concepts and vocational information. Students will develop laboratory, critical thinking, and communication skills currently used in the biotechnology industry. Through extensive research and workplace experience, students will evaluate career opportunities in the field of biotechnology. As a part of the biotechnology career pathway, students will enroll in Introduction to Biotechnology 1; the next semester they will take Biotechnology 2. Biotechnology 1 & 2 is UC/CSU approved to meet the “laboratory science” (d) requirement for college admissions.
Biotechnology 3-4: Biotechnology 3-4 are the final two semesters of the four-year Carlmont Biotechnology Career Pathway. Biotechnology 3-4 is the capstone of the Biotechnology pathway covering advanced scientific concepts and specialized laboratory research techniques currently used in the biotechnology industry. Students demonstrate laboratory skills, critical thinking, and communication skills currently used in the biotechnology industry. Through extensive research laboratory work, and workplace experiences, students will explore and evaluate career opportunities in the field of biotechnology as well as perform real-life research. Biotechnology 3-4 is UC/CSU approved to meet the “laboratory science” (d) requirement for college admissions.
Biomanufacturing I and II is the capstone course of the CTE biotechnology pathway, covering advanced laboratory skills and conceptual topics in biotechnology. In this college-level course, students will participate in the biological research, development, production, testing, and analysis of biotechnology products. Following the path of a drug or pharmaceutical from researching the molecule or compound and its biological impact to the marketed, final product; the students will understand the interactions between research into biological processes, the active lab, production facility, final processing, quality control, and government oversight and regulation in the biotechnology product pipeline. Students will apply their academic knowledge to the required problem solving and critical thinking involved in their scientific laboratory research. The Biomanufacturing course is co-taught by a Carlmont teacher and a Skyline College professor, and students receive dual credit for it. Click here for details about dual enrollment credit.
Though science-themed, the BTI English classes meet Common Core Standards like all college-prep English classes on campus. Students gain close analytical reading skills by reading novels, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, and they develop strong writing skills through informational, argument, and narrative writing assignments. Creative writing is also included in the curriculum.
Reading: The texts used in BTI English classes appeal to science-minded students, and most explore bioethical issues. Books include: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, The Wesleyan Anthology of Science Fiction edited by Arthur B. Evans, et al., Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, 1984 by George Orwell, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and Never Let Me Go by Ishiguro Kazuo. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, and Bad Blood by John Carreyrou are taught cross-curricularly in English and social studies and/or science classes.
BTI social studies classes meet Common Core and state content standards. Traditional historical thinking skills are taught and students learn how to analyze primary sources and use them in document-based questions. In addition, during senior year students will apply and make connections between government involvement/intervention and economic ramifications.
The curriculum integrates topics about science, including issues related to food sources, germs/disease and new discoveries. For instance, when students learn about the world wars, they learn about the development and use of mustard gas in World War I, and the importance of penicillin in World War II. Research projects are modified to emphasize science themes or ethical decision-making as it relates to the biotech industry.
During the three-year program, students take the following courses within BTI: a series of biotechnology courses, Chemistry for Biotechnology, English, and social studies. BTI teachers across the disciplines collaborate to create assignments that encourage cross-curricular connections. The English and social studies courses are college preparatory and science-themed.
The BTI program also has a significant career exploration component. Students get the opportunity to interact with many professionals in the scientific community through the mentor program, which includes a job shadow day; symposiums; and field trips to biotech companies.
Our unique and innovative biomanufacturing class is only offered to BTI students. It is co-taught by Ms. Burndon and Dr. Kapp, a professor from Skyline College. Students receive dual credit for this course.
BTI students also receive dual credit for Biotechnology 1-2 and Biotechnology 3-4. Biotechnology 3-4 is a four-unit class, so students receive a grade bump when applying to CSUs and UCs. Ultimately BTI students graduate with nine units of community college credit. You can read more about dual-enrollment credit here.
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BTI students also take a wide variety of courses outside the program. Examples include
Spanish, French, or Chinese
Performing arts
Fine arts
AVID
Leadership/ASB classes
Computer science
Statistics or AP Statistics
Psychology, or AP Psychology
AP Seminar and AP Research
Psychology or AP Psychology
Physics
Human Biology
AP Biology
All levels of math from Geometry to Ab or BC Calculus
Speak with the BTI school counselor, Ms. Kim Miller, if you have questions about whether or not you will have room in your schedule to take all of the classes that interest you.
The only classes BTI students are ineligible for are AS or AP English, and AP social studies classes. BTI English and social studies classes are rigorous college preparatory classes that are science-themed and have a unique curriculum. See the tabs in the top left corner of this page for more details.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about our program.
