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Facing the biotechnology laboratory challenge at a community college
Author(s) -
Schaefer Peter A.,
Fronhofer Van,
Bradley Laurie M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.575.10
Subject(s) - graduation (instrument) , certificate , internship , economic shortage , medical education , microbiology and biotechnology , engineering , engineering management , medicine , computer science , biology , mechanical engineering , linguistics , philosophy , algorithm , government (linguistics)
As the field of biotechnology rapidly expands, research laboratories are faced with a shortage of trained technologists capable of handling the techniques and instrumentation in the field. Traditionally, graduates of four‐year colleges have filled that role and received technical training in the research lab. As high school science programs expanded, opportunities developed in community colleges to train biotechnicians to fill the lab shortages. As a result of this need five years ago, Hudson Valley Community College initiated an Associate in Science degree (A.S.) program in Biotechnology. Enrollment in the program has increased 224% since its inception, and graduation rates have increased from 33% to 75%. Many students transfer to four‐year colleges, but those seeking lab employment are highly successful. To add a higher level training, we are implementing a biotechnology certificate that requires 40 credits of science and mathematics for entrance. The certificate includes advanced courses in cell culture, immunological methods, molecular lab techniques, and biological imaging, as well as an internship in a research lab, over two semesters.