The engineer in Biotechnology is a critical, creative and competitive professional with the skills to work individually or within interdisciplinary teams. Professionals in this field analyze modern development models and their social and environmental impact. They also provide alternative solutions to agro-forestry and environmental problems. Also, the engineer in Biotechnology generates plant-production strategies for agriculture and forestry. Graduates handle microorganisms, improve diverse biotechnological processes for the industry through traditional and innovative techniques, and apply molecular techniques for the conservation and rational use of phytogenetic resources.
Professional profile of Biotechnology Engineering
• Brings solutions to the problems that are related to agro-forestry, industry and health by using biotechnological techniques and with an adequate and rational use of biodiversity.
• Provides advisory in regards to the benefits that new technologies could bring to production and productivity, considering the quality standards of the company and sector.
• Implements new technologies in companies that require a technological transformation.
• Handles the instruments and laboratory techniques that are most widely used in bioprocesses.
• Works in agricultural, pharmaceutical, medical, forest, environmental protection and food bio-industries, both private and public.
• Conducts experiments in areas such as genetics, cell production, bio-computing and molecular biology.
• Designs controlling regulations to use genetically modified organisms (GMO), diagnostics laboratories and microbiological control.
• Establishes and manages biotechnological laboratories or companies.
Working field in Biotechnology Engineering
Graduates of this field may work in state institutions, universities, research centers and any private company dedicated to agricultural and forest production, interested in adopting tissue culture techniques; micro-propagation; somatic embryogenesis, genetic characterization, cellular suspension, selected unique materials conservation, virus and other pathogen cleaning, extraction and purification of active plant principles. They may also improve diverse biotechnological processes related with the industry and the environment. In the field of molecular biology, graduates master nucleic acid manipulation and molecular diagnosis.
National relevance of Biotechnology Engineering
Costa Rica needs professionals that can take advantage of modern tools, such as biotechnology to enhance competitiveness in companies; they strengthen the national capacity to innovate and develop technology in a social and environmentally sustainable way.
These professionals are directly related with the conservation of genetic resources and with the detection and elimination of plant diseases; with gene banks and the identification of useful genes to improve agriculture; with finding options for a better use of resources and with the application of bioremediation techniques to protect the environment.
Resources and Facilities
• Highly specialized professionals
• Biotechnology Research Center
• Appropriate bibliographical resources (databases, CD-ROM, specialized magazines)
• Modern infrastructure and greenhouses
• Fully equipped laboratories
Trainings in:
• Molecular characterization
• Transgenic project determination
• Biotechnological evaluation of water treatment plants
• “In vitro” plant growing techniques
• Microorganism’s manipulation