This certificate is designed to meet the increasing need for trained and competent associates in laboratory environments. The required courses provide students with fundamental laboratory skills to start or enhance a career in the bio-sciences. Students completing this certificate can expect employment utilizing their technical skills in the performance of tests and routine tasks inherent to a wide range of laboratory environments. This certificate is intended for the development of general laboratory skills as well as professional growth for those already employed in the industry.
This new certificate of achievement in laboratory skills is based on the existing local certificate of proficiency. This certificate serves as the entry-level award that students may earn in biotechnology, and it is being used, in part,to complete the first two years of the B.S. in bio-manufacturing, which MiraCosta College was awarded through SB850 and subsequent approval by the Board of Governors. With the launch of the bachelor’s program, we have seen significant growth in the number of students pursuing biotechnology certificates and degrees. In 2013-2018, there were an average of 12 certificate of proficiency in laboratory skills awarded. This increased to 34 completers in 2018-2019,which tracks with the recent growth in our lower division program form 161students in 2012-2013 to 250 students in 2018-2019 (unduplicated headcounts).
In terms of the supply and demand of our local workforce, there are 65 completers, annually, in San Diego County. Given the demand of about 1,198 openings per year in middle skills jobs in the biotechnology industry for the region, this supports the adequate demand for the program (COE Sector Analysis for San Diego County, 2018). Further, the Chancellor’s Office performed a Labor Market Analysis for the program, which is included in the Supporting Documentation.
The proposed Certificate of Achievement in laboratory skills is aligned with MiraCosta’s mission as a career and technical education program and as an effort to support the economic and educational well-being of the communities served. The laboratory skills certificate serves as the foundation of the College’s existing biotechnology program, which currently offers three certificates,two associate degrees, and one baccalaureate degree.
The new certificate is based on the existing local Certificate of Proficiency in Laboratory Skills. The local certificate composed of 11 units will be converted to a Certificate of Achievement with 14-15units. This certificate serves as the first in a set of stackable certificates and degrees that enable students to grow in knowledge and skills for entry into the local workforce. In addition, the certificate helps prepare students to successfully transfer intoour bachelor’s degree program. The biomanufacturing program serves the needs of the growing biotechnology economic sector in San Diego County. There will be significant growth in bio-manufacturing positions in coming years, and MiraCosta College’s proposed certificate will be well-positioned to serve this need.
The MiraCosta College Educational Plan 2016-2020 (addendum to the college’s Comprehensive Master Plan 2011-2020) contains 14 institutional objectives that describe strategies for achieving the College’s five institutional goals. The proposed certificate program in laboratory skills is aligned with Institutional Goal I, as an innovative practice that will broaden access to higher education for students,Institutional Goal II, as an institution that maximizes student success, and Institutional Goal V, as a conscientious community partner in serving to provide students with the needed skills to participate in the growing biotechnology sector.
The new certificate of achievement program will prepare students for careers as biological technicians, quality control technicians, and manufacturing technicians within the biotechnology industry. This certificate also serves to help incumbent workers in the local life sciences industry upskill and prepare for more advanced positions. This certificate further ensures that the student will have a solid foundation in biotechnology principles needed to be eligible to apply to the bachelor’s degree program in Bio-manufacturing at MiraCosta. Upon completion of this program students will be able to successfully perform a technical task common to the laboratory environment by employing the appropriate equipment and tools, safely and effectively.
The proposed certificate of achievement in laboratory skills is aligned with MiraCosta’s mission as a career and technical education program and as an effort to support the economic and educational well-being of the communities served. The new certificate serves as a critical foundation of knowledge and skills for students. This foundation will enable students to pursue entry-level employment, as well as continue onto complete additional prerequisites for the baccalaureate in bio-manufacturing,which will better prepare them for entry-level positions in biotechnology within the region and beyond.
| Requirements | Dept. Name/# | Name | Units | Sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required Core (11 units) | BTEC107 BTEC110 (110H) BTEC120 | Exploring Biotechnology: Emerging Trends, Careers, and the Local Industry Basic Techniques in Biotechnology Business and Regulatory Practices in Biotechnology | 3 5 3 | Yr 1, Fall Yr 1, Fall Yr 1, Fall |
| One course (3 to 4 units) | BTEC108 (108H) BIO105 BIO204 (204H) | Biomanufacturing: From Gene to Product Genes and Technology in Society Foundations of Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology | 3 3 4 | Yr 1, Fall Yr 1, Fall Yr 1, Fall |
Required Major Total 14-15 units
TOTAL UNITS 14-15units
Proposed Sequence:
Year 1, Fall = 14-15 units
TOTAL UNITS: 14-15 units
| Requirements | Dept. Name/# | Name | Units | Sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required Core (11 units) | BTEC107 BTEC110 (110H) BTEC120 | Exploring Biotechnology: Emerging Trends, Careers, and the Local Industry Basic Techniques in Biotechnology Business and Regulatory Practices in Biotechnology | 3 5 3 | Yr 1, Fall Yr 1, Fall Yr 1, Fall |
| One course (3 to 4 units) | BTEC108 (108H) BIO105 BIO204 (204H) | Biomanufacturing: From Gene to Product Genes and Technology in Society Foundations of Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology | 3 3 4 | Yr 1, Fall Yr 1, Fall Yr 1, Fall |
Required Major Total 14-15 units
TOTAL UNITS 14-15units
Proposed Sequence:
Year 1, Fall = 14-15 units
TOTAL UNITS: 14-15 units
Cassandra Storey · 02/18/21
Based on supply gap SDCE supports.
Tina Recalde · 02/18/21
San Diego Mesa recommends approval of the new program.
Jesse Lopez · 02/17/21
Based on available LMI and COE's endorsement, Miramar College also supports this new program.
Nichol Roe · 02/17/21
LMI shows decline in availability of jobs, Palomar would have difficulty supporting without further evidence of need. I see Al's comment re: industry request, so I would like to hear more about this in the discussion on Friday.
Dr. Al Taccone · 02/16/21
Thank you, Javier. The program is a basis for future studies and the most introductory level bio tech employment. The title was recommended by industry partners to distinguish it from the AS degree and bachelors degree in biomanufacturing. To them it makes sense, I assume, as they peruse applications. Thank you for the thought!
Larry McLemore · 02/16/21
Cuyamaca supports
Dr. Javier Ayala · 02/16/21
Looks like a decline in jobs. Also, title seems odd "lab skills" certificate.
Dr. Al Taccone · 02/05/21
Not sure if appropriate for me to endorse a MiraCosta program, so, I will anyway... MiraCosta College endorses this program for approval.
John Edwards · 02/03/21
MiraCosta College submitted the appropriate LMI from the COE. There is a supply gap (522 annual job openings) and entry-level wages average $14.73 per hour, which is below the living wage, and median wages average $19.33 per hour. While the entry-level wages are lower than the living wage, these occupations have consistently been in demand over the past five years, so based on available LMI, the COE supports the development of a new program.
No files to display