BioWork Process Technician
BioWork is a 152-hour, non-degree certificate course that can lead to an entry-level position as a process technician. The certificate provides course credit that can be put toward an associate degree in Biotechnology.
BioWork is intended for high school graduates and those who want to pursue a career in the biopharmaceutical industry. Those already in the industry can earn continuing education units (CEUs) for the course.
"Of all the teachers and courses I've taken, I would say that BioWork impacted my life the most. I went from minimum wage to making a great living surrounded by people who actually enjoy coming to work for a company that actually cares."
-Ryan Kennedy, Merck employee
To be eligible for the BioWork program, students must have a high school diploma, high school equivalency or some form of post-secondary education, or they must take math and reading placement tests at Wake Tech. Applicants also must complete the online BioWork information session.
- Program: Eight units of study designed by industry and directly related to biopharmaceutical technology
- Cost: $243 plus tax per class ($180 registration, $40 lab fee, $18 facility fee and $5 technology fee). The textbook can be purchased at the Southern Wake Campus Bookstore (cost determined by the bookstore).
- Duration: Depends upon the section chosen to attend
- Class format: In-person, online or hybrid; day or evening
- Locations: Southern Wake Campus, Eastern Wake Campus, Western Wake Campus or RTP Campus (also online)
Students should receive a welcome letter approximately a week before class starts. BioWork offers the following benefits for students:
- Teaching expertise of industry veterans
- Teamwork and problem-solving activities
- Networking opportunities linked to career-building and job search
- Resume support and interview practice
NOTE: Participation in online classes through Microsoft Teams meetings, and access to Blackboard, the online interface for the course, will require a student's access to a laptop or desktop computer. A tablet or cellphone will not work for Blackboard functions or much of the Teams meetings material. Details on these classes on the online meeting days and times can be found by clicking on the "Details" button for each class section.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Industry-recognized credential: BioWork Process Technician Certificate
Complete course in: Four months or less
Financial assistance available
Don't have enough money to pay for a course? Wake Tech's Propel program offers scholarships that cover the cost of registration and fees.
NOTE: The Propel Scholarship Application is currently closed and will reopen October 1.
BioWork Process Technician Training Courses
BioWork: Process Technician Training
- Course ID: BTC-3200A7
- Overview
- Course Outline
- Requirements
- Intended Audience
- More Details
Course Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge and competence in the academic and technical fields related to bioprocess manufacturing
Use critical thinking to analyze and solve problems
Communicate effectively
Demonstrate positive, effective and appropriate interpersonal skills
Outline of Instruction
Pharmaceutical Quality and cGMP - Quality methods, standards and practices used in the biomanufacturing industry and how the federal government regulates and enforces them
Working Safely - Hazards and risks within the biomanufacturing industry and how industry practices, education and federal agencies such as OSHA work to minimize these hazards and risks
Measuring Process Parameters - Process variables such as length, mass, volume, pressure and other parameters are measured and converted back and forth between the metric and English unit systems
Chemical Processes in Biomanufacturing - Introduction to common chemicals in the workplace, basic chemical safety, nature of chemicals, chemical families, chemical reactions and mixtures/solutions
Equipment and Utilities - Discussion of inputs, process steps, outputs, facility organization, process equipment (tanks, piping systems, pumps, valves and seals), facility utilities (gases, water, steam, heating and cooling, hydraulics, electricity and waste treatment)
Controlling the Process - Common unit operations, separation methods and equipment, process control parameters and methods, process control instrumentation and manual/automatic control methods
Facilities and the Manufacturing Environment - Facility design and operation considerations, including biopharmaceutical facility regulatory requirements, facility monitoring and maintenance and contamination control concerns/methods
Biomanufacturing Production - Detailed discussion of biomanufacturing steps that are common to many product types and specific production steps unique to or found in a number of special product categories
Career Development - Workshops and lectures pertaining to resume development, cover letter writing, LinkedIn creation, job-interview skills and the job-application process. Students are encouraged to review the student manual containing career-specific resources and attend career fairs when offered.
Contact Hours
152
CEUs
Yes
Industry Standard, State or National Certification
Certification
Certificate of completion
Website
None
Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements
Complying with cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices)
Following an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)
Completing batch records
Reading an SDS (Safety Data Sheet)
An awareness of the importance of safety for the workers and product
Using the metric system and measuring process parameters
Understanding mechanical components of process operations (tanks, pumps, valves, etc.)
Reading gauges
Understanding different utility requirements (water, air, electrical, waste systems) for different parts of process operations
Reading process diagrams and understanding feedback systems
Determining manufacturing process similarities and differences for various product types
Resume writing, job-interview and networking skills
CE or CU Articulation
BTC-181: Basic Laboratory Techniques or BPM-110: Bioprocess Practices
Prerequisites
Students who wish to register for BioWork must possess a high school diploma or GED and must complete an online information session.
Learning Supplies Needed
"BioWork: An Introductory Course for Process Technicians, Third Edition," Revised 2020
Clinical Site/Special Facilities
Microbiology or chemistry lab
Requirements for Successful Completion
80% attendance
Students must score a minimum of 80% on each unit exam. Students are allowed one retest of each unit exam to reach an 80% score.,An approved resume
Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements
High school diploma or General Education Diploma
Intended Audience
Those with at least a high school diploma or GED who are unemployed, transitioning, especially from other manufacturing sectors, or starting a new career. This course can also be useful for individuals with degrees in biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry or other fields who want to enter employment in biomanufacturing or pharmaceutical manufacturing and lack the knowledge of the products, regulations and manufacturing methods used in these industries.
Specific Industry or Business Support Needs
Process technician
Wake County Need for Industry Positions
Many employers within Wake County and surrounding counties
Industry or Job Titles Related to Training Outcomes for Employment
Process technician
| Details | Section | Date(s) | Location | Price | Seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 334261 | 08/31/26 - 11/18/26 | Eastern Wake Campus | 243.00 | 0 | ||
| 334257 | 09/01/26 - 11/19/26 | Southern Wake Campus | 243.00 | 16 |
Course Cancelled
|
|
| 334259 | 09/01/26 - 11/19/26 | Western Wake Campus | 243.00 | 16 |
Course Cancelled
|
|
| 334249 | 09/01/26 - 11/18/26 | Microsoft Teams | 225.00 | 0 | ||
| 334260 | 09/01/26 - 11/19/26 | Eastern Wake Campus | 243.00 | 0 | ||
| 334207 | 09/14/26 - 11/18/26 | Western Wake Campus | 243.00 | 0 | ||
| 334236 | 10/12/26 - 12/10/26 | Western Wake Campus | 243.00 | 0 |
If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech’s Notify Me service for BTC-3200A7-BioWork: Process Technician Training .
Micropipetting Techniques for Precision and Accuracy
- Course ID: LBT-3100A6
- Overview
- Course Outline
- Requirements
- Intended Audience
- More Details
Course Objectives
Introduce the basic skills of micropipette operation
Provide experience with a variety of micropipettes that are commonly encountered in laboratory situations
Discuss and practice techniques used to increase pipetting performance
Provide students with a way to quantify their pipetting skills and measure gains in those skills acquired during this course
Provide an introduction to the dilution of laboratory reagents/samples and the calculations needed to make those dilutions
Introduce the topic of ergonomics as it applies to laboratory procedures and the prevention of workplace injuries
Outline of Instruction
Course Introduction
1.1. Lecture: Use and function of micropippetors
1.2. Lab: Testing of initial micropipetting skill levels (Artel method)
1.3. Lecture: Discussion of factors affecting pipetting performance
1.4. Lecture: Discussion of methods to measure micropipette performance
1.5. Lecture: Guide to Dilutions
Technical Instruction
2.1. Lab: Practice micropipetting
2.2. Lecture: Tips for better pipetting
2.3. Lecture: Ergonomics and Micropipetting
2.4. Lab: Practice pipetting and Gravimetric method of measuring pipetting performance
2.5. Lab: Practice pipetting with glass, serological and digital pipettes
Assessment
3.1. Lab: Final test of pipetting performance (Artel method)
Conclusions and Final Discussion
4.1. Open floor for additional questions and feedback
Contact Hours
6
CEUs
Yes
Industry Standard, State or National Certification
Certification
None
Website
None
Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements
CE or CU Articulation
No
Prerequisites
N/A
Learning Supplies Needed
Micropipettes, different pipettes, training handouts, different solutions, micropipette tips, beakers, test tubes, test tube racks, straws, colored water and ARTEL unit and unit supplies
Clinical Site/Special Facilities
N/A
Requirements for Successful Completion
95% attendance
Coefficient of variation (CV) < 1% with micropipettes in two attempts or fewer
Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements
N/A
Intended Audience
Bioprocess technicians, lab technicians, QC lab technicians and environmental monitoring technicians
Specific Industry or Business Support Needs
N/A
Wake County Need for Industry Positions
N/A
Industry or Job Titles Related to Training Outcomes for Employment
Laboratory technician
Bioprocessing technician
No active courses available at this time.
To be notified when this course becomes available, please use
Wake Tech’s Notify Me service
for LBT-3100A6-Micropipetting Techniques for Precision and Accuracy
.
