Biological Sciences | Smith College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 19-4021.00

Skills

Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningScienceActive LearningWritingSpeakingMonitoring

Knowledge

BiologyEnglish LanguageMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsChemistry

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionInductive ReasoningNear VisionOral ExpressionInformation OrderingWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityCategory Flexibility

Tasks

Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and
Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to
Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research perso

Technology

Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareOffice suite softwareData base user interface and query software

Tools

Aerobic growth chambersAgitatorsAmino acid analyzersAnaerobic growth chambersAnalytical balancesAutoclavesAutomated cell countersAutomated microplate ELISA readersAutomated tissue/slide stainersAutomatic pipettersBalancesBioanalyzersBiological containment hoodsCentrifugesConductivity meters

Work Values

AchievementSupportWorking ConditionsIndependenceRelationshipsRecognition

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium19-4021.00	Biological Technicians	title_inference	$52,000 median$81,990 top	+3.51%	290

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: proficient (Level 3)(based on Bachelor's Degree)

End-to-end workflow ownership (NGS, flow cytometry, complex animal studies) — lead within a research lab.
Method validation and SOP authoring — produce for the lab's recurring techniques.
Lab safety officer or biosafety designee — serve with documented institutional responsibilities.
Quality and reproducibility audits — conduct across recurring assays and projects.
Senior technicians and rotation students — supervise across a small team.
Procurement, capital-equipment specs, and vendor management — lead with scientist input.
Manuscript-grade data packages — prepare with figures and methods sections.
Cross-lab method transfers and core-facility liaison — manage with documented hand-offs.
IACUC and IBC protocol amendments — author with PI sign-off.
Continuous-improvement programs — lead with measurable outcomes.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.