BTEC 2030: Cell Culture

Program Description:

The Biotechnology program at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) prepares students for transferring to higher education and employment in the biotech industry. SLCC offers a Biotechnology Associate of Science degree and a Certificate of Proficiency. Classes are offered in a competency-based education format. Curriculum outlines for the program and materials for additional courses are available to view separately. 

Course Description:

This 1-credit Biotechnology Cell Culture course has students grow animal cell cultures. During the course, students learn how to thaw and transfer cryopreserved mammalian cells to media, observe growing cells using a phase contrast microscope, feed cells, count cells using a hemocytometer, subculture cells, transfect cells for fluorescence, screen cells for contamination, cryropreserve cells, and more.

Course Contents:

Course materials include a course curriculum outline, syllabus, and a Canvas .imscc file. The 3-page syllabus includes a brief description about the course, primary learning objectives, information about grading, course policies, and campus resources. The 3-page course curriculum outline includes a rationale for action, course learning outcomes, and course outcomes mapped to SLCC college-wide learning outcomes.

The .imscc file includes numerous folders and files from the Canvas course. Below is a list of modules, and a sample of topics, labs, and quizzes included in the course:

• Orientation Module
  • Announcements
  • Welcome
  • How Competency-based Education Works
  • Get to Know Your Course
  • Using the Open Lab
  • Learning and Technical Support
  • Netiquette
  • Introduce Yourself
  • Any Questions? (optional)
• Cell Culture
  • Cell Culture
  • Growing Eukaryotic Cells
  • Growth Media
  • Equipment for Thawing Your Cells
  • Lab #1 - Thawing Cryopreserved Cells
  • Introduction to the Phase Contrast Microscope
  • Using a Phase Contrast Microscope
  • Happy, Healthy Cells
  • Feeding Your Cells
  • Lab #2 - Feeding Cells
  • Are Your Cells Ready to Subculture?
  • The Hemocytometer
  • Counting Your Cells
  • Protocol, Material, and Equipment for a Subculturing Cells
  • Lab #3 - Subculturing Cells
  • Introduction to Transfecting Mammalian Cells
  • Lab #4: Transfecting Mammalian Cells
  • TurboFect
  • Observing Fluorescence in Eukaryotic Cells
  • Protocol, Material, and Equipment for a Eukaryotic Cells
  • Lab #5 - Eukaryotic Cell Transfection
  • Contamination Screening by Observation
  • Contamination Screening Through PCR
  • Lab #6 - Contamination Screening
  • Protocol, Materials, and Equipment for Cryopreservation
  • Lab #7 - Cryopreservation