Enhancing the Two-Year Biotechnology/Chemistry Program with Instrumentation, Faculty Development and Technical Experience

卡姆登县学院正在购买气相色谱-质分光光度计（GC/MS），将工业中使用的气相色谱-质分光光度计技术整合到两年学院生物技术/化学实验室经验的各个方面。GC/MS的基础理论和实践应用始于有机化学和普通化学课程，它增强了生物技术专业和传统科学专业学生的科学经验。此外，气相色谱/质谱在非理工科专业的化学与社会课程、新开设的生物化学课程（生物技术课程的一部分）和法医化学课程中也得到了应用。在与县警察学院（位于校园）和州法医实验室的合作下，学生们正在将该仪器用于现实生活中的法医应用。为了最大限度地在整个课程中实施技术，该项目还包括广泛的教师发展活动，包括GC/MS的使用、校准和维护，以及为地区生物技术公司的教师提供工业现场经验。注重探究性学习，通过与行业相关的演示和实验来强化这些原理，从而提高学生对重要科学原理的理解。随着课程中实验室实验的调整和实施，学生可以重复使用设备，并熟悉工业环境中使用的技术和计算机系统。这一工具在提高两年制大学生科学体验的质量和范围、促进基于探究的学习和培养批判性思维和解决问题的能力方面发挥了重要作用。在整个项目中，正在对项目活动进行适当的评估，以衡量学生学习方面的改进。这个项目的影响超出了卡姆登县学院的生物技术项目。它正在加强化学课程中的每一门课程，并跨越学科，影响诸如遗传学（生物学）、临床化学和免疫学（临床实验室科学）等课程以及相关卫生专业的课程。因此，学生，特别是妇女和少数民族，正准备好直接进入就业市场，或转到四年制大学继续他们的教育。最重要的是，该项目为周围的三州地区（新泽西州、宾夕法尼亚州和特拉华州）提供了急需的、训练有素的生物技术人员。

Camden County College is purchasing a gas chromatography - mass spectrophotometer (GC/MS) to integrate gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry technology used in industry into all aspects of the two-year college biotechnology/chemistry laboratory experience. Basic theory and hands-on use of the GC/MS begins in the Organic and General Chemistry courses, where it enhances the science experience of both biotechnology majors and traditional science majors. In addition, GC/MS is being implemented in the Chemistry and Society courses for non-science majors, the new Biochemistry courses (part of the biotechnology program), and Forensic Chemistry. In collaboration with the county police academy (located on campus) and the state forensics laboratory, students are using the instrument in real-life forensic applications. To maximize the implementation of technology across the curriculum, this project also includes extensive faculty development activities in the use, calibration, and maintenance of the GC/MS, as well as industrial field experiences for faculty at area Biotechnology companies. Focusing on inquiry-based learning improves student understanding of important science principles by reinforcing these principles with industry-related demonstrations and experiments. With the adaptation and implementation of lab experiments across the curriculum, the students have repetitive use of the equipment and gain a familiarity with the techniques and computer systems used in an industry setting. This instrumentation is having a significant effect in raising the quality and scope of the science experience of two-year college students, facilitating inquiry-based learning and fostering critical thinking and problem solving skills. Appropriate assessment of project activities is being conducted throughout the project to measure improvements in student learning. This project is having an impact beyond the biotechnology program at Camden County College. It is enhancing each course in the chemistry curriculum, and also cuts across disciplines, affecting courses such as genetics (biology), clinical chemistry and immunology (clinical lab science) as well as courses for the allied health majors. As a result, students, especially women and minorities, are being better prepared to enter the job market directly, or transfer to a four-year institution to continue their education. Most importantly, this project is providing the surrounding tri-state region (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) with sorely needed, well-trained bio-technicians.