This course will introduce students to fundamental molecular and protein chemistry techniques that are essential to the biotechnology field and workforce. This course is designed to prepare students to enter the growing biotechnology workforce or to transfer. Students that complete this course will be prepared for the biotechnology internship course and to take the Los Angeles Regional Bioscience/Biotechnology Industry-Valued Credential or equivalent exams. Topics explored in this course include maintaining an industry standard notebook, following and writing SOPs, and utilizing a digital quality management software; lab safety regulations, aseptic technique, and quality control protocols; preparing and sterilizing solutions, reagents, and experimental materials; usage and maintenance of state-of-the-art laboratory equipment; bioinformatics; and amplifying, extracting, purifying, and analyzing polynucleotides and proteins. These concepts are explored by means of class discussions and projects, reading assignments, and lab activities. The course is intended as preparation for the advanced biotechnology skills and methods courses as well as internships. By the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate competency in following and editing SOPs, explain fundamental molecular and protein chemistry methods, and apply their training to use and maintain laboratory equipment.