Advanced Technological Education in Biotechnology: A Community College--Industry Partnership

Vista学院建议为生物科学技术人员开发一个综合的和职业丰富的计划。该提案响应了国家对技术教育的广泛改善的需求以及当地行业对具有A.S.学位或职业证书。该项目将开发生物技术课程，为学生提供在工作场所取得成功所需的强大科学背景和实践技能。学生将深入了解基本的科学原理和技术，使用先进的科学设备和计算机的能力，以及批判性思维的能力。此外，该项目还将通过减少妇女和其他代表性不足的群体寻求进入科学和数学职业的内在体制障碍，采用新的教学方法，解决学生不同的学习风格，提供更有利于不同学习者的合作学习环境，以及发展综合课程，让学生掌握实际技能，并能亲身应用知识。 Vista计划基于致力于行业教育城市合作伙伴关系，用于课程的设计和评估，并通过与行业员工的指导和工作场所的实习来支持学生培训。该计划基于行业科学家设计的一套技能和知识要求，计划和课程开发过程包含了行业咨询委员会的几次审查会议，最终获得了该计划的普遍认可。

Vista College proposes to develop an integrated and vocationally enriched program for bioscience technicians. This proposal responds to a national need for broad improvement in technical education as well as local industry needs for bioscience technicians who have A.S. degrees or vocational certificates. This project will develop a curriculum in biotechnology that provides students with a strong scientific background and practical skills acquisition necessary for success in the work place. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of basic scientific principles and techniques, the ability to use sophisticated scientific equipment and computers, and the ability to think critically. In addition, this project will respond to the needs of a rapidly changing work force by reducing embedded institutional barriers to women and other underrepresented groups seeking to enter science and mathematics based occupations, incorporating new instructional methods which address the diverse learning styles of students, providing cooperative learning environments which are more supportive for diverse learners, and developing an integrated curriculum which provides students with practical skills acquisition and hands-on application of knowledge. The Vista program is based upon a committed industry-education-city partnership for the design and evaluation of the curriculum and in support of student training through mentorships with industry employees and internships in the work place. The program is based upon a set of skill and knowledge requirements designed by industry scientists and the program and curriculum development process has incorporated several review sessions by an industry advisory committee culminating in general endorsement of the program.