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课程。这项建议满足了国家对广泛改善技术教育的需要，以及当地工业对拥有美国学士学位或职业证书的生物科学技术人员的需求。该项目将开发一门生物技术课程，为学生提供在工作场所取得成功所必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，该项目将响应迅速变化的劳动大军的需要，减少妇女和其他寻求进入以科学和数学为基础的职业的代表不足的群体的固有体制障碍，采用针对学生多样化学习方式的新教学方法，提供更有利于多样化学习者的合作学习环境，并开发为学生提供实用技能获取和实际应用知识的综合课程。Vista计划建立在致力于行业-教育-城市合作伙伴关系的基础上，以设计和评估课程，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系列技能和知识要求，计划和课程开发过程包括行业咨询委员会的几次审查会议，最终该计划得到了普遍认可。

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.