Biomanufacturing

The biomanufacturing certificate expands on the skills and theoretical foundation presented in the bioprocess technology certificate to further prepare entry-level technicians for employment in the regulated environment of biomanufacturing. Technicians in this field must learn and implement laboratory procedures and use specialized laboratory equipment in the production of a cell-based product. Competency in organizational, computational, and communication skills is required. This program is designed to give students the theoretical background and practical experience necessary to work effectively in bio manufacturing at the entry level as well as to prepare them for advancement to the baccalaureate degree in biomanufacturing at MiraCosta College. Graduates of this program can expect to be employed in various capacities, including quality control, quality assurance, production, process development, and analytical testing.

This new certificate of achievement in biomanufacturing is being used, in part, to complete the first two years of the B.S. in biomanufacturing, which MiraCosta College was awarded through SB850 and subsequent approval by the Board of Governors.

In preparation for the application to the Chancellor’s Office, the College’s Biotechnology Department surveyed 138current and former biotechnology students. The results indicated 48 percent were very interested and an additional 34 percent were interested in the baccalaureate program, as illustrated below, pending more detail on course work developed in partnership with industry.  Therefore,there was clear demand to support not only the new bachelor’s degree but also this new certificate.  Since the launch of the BS program, we have consistently welcomed 23-30 students to each cohort,which has a maximum size of 30 students per year.

As noted in Item 4 of the narrative, there is a large gap of about 1,100 between employment demand for middle skills workers (1,233openings per year) and the supply from regional colleges (61 graduates annually) in San Diego County.  This supports the adequate demand for the certificate.  The reports referenced above are included in the Supporting Documentation and narrative attached.

The modified Certificate of Achievement (CoA) in biomanufacturing is aligned with MiraCosta’s mission as a career and technical education program and as aneffort to support the economic and educational well-being of the communities served. This modified biomanufacturing certificate explicitly builds upon the College’s existing biotechnology certificates.  The modified certificate allows students who complete this local certificate or equivalent course work from other colleges to successfully transfer into our bachelor’s degree program, which will betterprepare them for entry-level positions in biotechnology within the region and beyond.

The modified biomanufacturing certificate will serve the needs of the growing biotechnology economic sector in San Diego County. There will be significant growth inbiomanufacturing positions in coming years, and MiraCosta College’s Certificate of Achievement is well-positioned to serve this need.

The MiraCosta Community College Educational Plan 2016-2020 (addendum to thecollege’s Comprehensive Master Plan 2011-2020) contains 14 institutional objectives that describe strategies for achieving the College’s five institutional goals. The modified certificate in biomanufacturing 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 modified certificate of achievement will prepare students for careers a manufacturing technician/associate, environmental monitoring technician/associate, process development technician/associate, quality control technician/associate/analyst,quality assurance technician/associate, or documentation specialist within the biotechnology industry.  The modification adds coursework options in advanced skills, such as CRISPR gene editing, and curriculum exploring the impact of biotechnology and workforce skills needed for this growing industry.  These modifications were proposed after discussions with the advisory board and local companies during individual site visits.

This modified certificate further ensures that the student will complete the appropriate preparation to beeligible to apply to the bachelor’s degree program in Biomanufacturing at MiraCosta.  Upon completion of this program, students will be able to successfully perform a technical laboratory task common to the biomanufacturing environment by employing the appropriate equipment and tools, safely and effectively.

Also included in the attached narrative.

Proposed Sequence: 

Year 1, Fall = 10 units 

Year 1, Spring = 10 units

Year 2, Fall = 10 units

Year 2, Spring = 9 units

TOTAL UNITS: 39 units