Biotechnology

The biotechnology workforce is a growing and dynamic industry that is the catalyst for innovation in multiple fields such as healthcare, military defense, agriculture, and bio-renewables/environmental stewardship. Major regional economic forecasts have projected a broadening gap between supply and demand of technicians in this industry as well as a gap in diversity of the workforce. Santa Monica College (SMC) is located in the center of an emerging biotechnology/cell science hub. To leverage these favorable circumstances while narrowing the technician supply and diversity gaps that have become exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic era, the leadership team is proposing a plan to develop and implement a biotechnology technician education program consisting of two stackable certificates that will focus on cell science and immunoassay techniques. The emphasis is on expanding access to employment opportunities for traditionally under-represented populations within the Los Angeles area while re-imaging the technical education and diversity culture of the biotechnology industry. Based on this overarching goal, the objectives of the proposed stackable Biotechnology certificate program focusing on cell science and immunoassay technologies will: 1) support the rapid growth of biotechnology industries in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles while influencing the economic impact of Southern California, 2) expand outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts of students from traditionally untapped pools of talent and communities, and 3) grow a diverse and talented workforce while narrowing the training, mentorship, and employment equity gaps associated with the life science/biotechnology industry in California. This equity-centered and inclusive biotechnology technician education program has the potential to serve as a replicable model for how to advance diversity and inclusion in programs that focus on life science/biotechnology technician education.

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The biotechnology workforce is a growing and dynamic industry that is the catalyst for innovation in multiple fields such as healthcare, military defense, agriculture, and bio-renewables/environmental stewardship. Major regional economic forecasts have projected a broadening gap between supply and demand of technicians in this industry as well as a gap in diversity of the workforce. Santa Monica College (SMC) is located in the center of an emerging biotechnology/cell science hub. To leverage these favorable circumstances while narrowing the technician supply and diversity gaps that have become exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic era, the leadership team is proposing a plan to develop and implement a biotechnology technician education program consisting of two stackable certificates that will focus on cell science and immunoassay techniques. The emphasis is on expanding access to employment opportunities for traditionally under-represented populations within the Los Angeles area while re-imaging the technical education and diversity culture of the biotechnology industry. Based on this overarching goal, the objectives of the proposed stackable Biotechnology certificate program focusing on cell science and immunoassay technologies will: 1) support the rapid growth of biotechnology industries in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles while influencing the economic impact of Southern California, 2) expand outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts of students from traditionally untapped pools of talent and communities, and 3) grow a diverse and talented workforce while narrowing the training, mentorship, and employment equity gaps associated with the life science/biotechnology industry in California. This equity-centered and inclusive biotechnology technician education program has the potential to serve as a replicable model for how to advance diversity and inclusion in programs that focus on life science/biotechnology technician education.

There are no pre-requisite requirements to enroll in the program. Stackable Certificate #1 consists of 5 courses. The two entry level courses include a required concurrent support course.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)

There is no program at our college with the same TOP Code

LATTC - Biotechnology (Biomanufacturing) Citrus College - Biotechnology LA Mission College - Biotechnology Pasadena City College - Biotechnology Compton College - Biotechnology West LA - Biotechnology

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