EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Institution:
Degree Type:
Degree Title:
Miami Dade College
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biological Sciences
Miami Dade College proposes a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biological Sciences (BSBS) that will address the gap between the needs of area employers and the number of
baccalaureate graduates in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical sciences. This program
addresses unmet workforce needs and provides increased access for the diverse, adult
student population that MDC serves with distinction. The program assures a sufficient
number of baccalaureate graduates to serve the growing biological sciences industries in
South Florida.
The proposed program differs from those offered by the other area higher education
institutions who offer broad-based traditional biology programs. (1) The MDC program
focuses on specialties linked with workforce preparation and provides practical experience,
including a required internship in an employment setting. (2) The program is substantially
more affordable and cost-effective. (3) The other higher education institutions primarily
serve a younger adult population; the MDC program will prepare older, financially
challenged graduates for immediate employment, thus contributing to the well-being of
their extended families and to the economic development of Region 23.
WORKFORCE DEMAND AND UNMET NEED
South Florida has a substantial investment in stimulating the growth of biotechnology and the
biopharmaceutical industry. The presence of an adequately trained workforce is essential.
Anticipating such growth, the University of Miami established a Life Science and Technology
Park and will employ MDC BS-BS graduates. The president and CEO of Miami-Dade County’s
economic development council recently identified the biotechnology-associated industry as
“the most active sector right now . . . a game changer for our economy.”1
A gap exists between the needs of area employers and the number of graduates in the
biological sciences as well as between the broad-based biology preparation offered by
traditional baccalaureate programs and the skills that local employers need. As noted in the
Employer Survey (Appendix C, Question 14), 76% of employers responded that they had
difficulty finding local, qualified candidates. Major area biopharmaceutical companies (such
as NOVEN, Merck, TEVA, and Beckman Coulter) substantiate the need for a workforcerelated biological sciences baccalaureate degree.
The current level of biological science baccalaureate graduates is insufficient. The State Agency
for Workforce Innovation reports an average of 944 employment openings requiring a
baccalaureate degree or higher in the biological sciences2 (Appendix L). At the undergraduate
level in 2010, Florida International University produced 217 biology-related degrees; area
private institutions (Barry University, Florida Memorial University, St. Thomas University, and
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the University of Miami) awarded an additional 404 degrees.3 The area’s graduate schools have
increased their capacity for advanced biology-related study, expanding by 26% over the 2009
data.3 National employment of biological scientists is projected to grow 21 percent (21%)
during the 2008-2018 decade, much faster than the average for all occupations.4 Given the
predicted future growth for the life sciences industries in South Florida, the need for additional
baccalaureate graduates is essential.
PLANNING
Based on the findings from area employers, MDC faculty developed a curriculum that combines
the broad-based technical laboratory skill development, writing, and mathematical skills
necessary for in-field employment and the scholastic foundation necessary to build future skill
sets and knowledge. MDC received 42 letters of support from local industry leaders, workforce
development agencies and economic development councils, as well as other stakeholders
(Appendix A). MDC conducted an industry focus group (Appendix B), industry and student
surveys (Appendices C and D), and engaged in conversations regarding the proposed BS-BS with
Workforce Region 23 state and private universities to access need, demand, and impact
(Appendices E, F, and G).
IMPLEMENTATION
MDC is positioned to implement this program effective fall, 2011. The credentials and
experience of current faculty are of high quality and qualify for baccalaureate instruction.
The College has moved forward on course design and budget planning; student services
areas have established plans for immediate recruitment/admission, placement testing,
marketing, and advisement upon approval. Current library holdings are adequate to begin
the program, and additional holdings will be acquired in the first few years.
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
No capital outlay is required for the proposed MDC BS-BS. The proposed program will take
full advantage of the new and renovated laboratory facilities available throughout MDC. At
the North Campus, a new 70,000 square foot facility with 21 laboratories will serve as the
primary site for the new program. In the past two years, biology and chemistry labs on two
other campuses have been renovated and are well suited for the upper division hands-on
BS-BS curriculum.
LIBRARY AND MEDIA
MDC’s current holdings support the two-year coursework in the biological sciences. These
holdings will be expanded to include new science journal subscriptions, 700 new book titles
and 225 new media titles.
ACADEMIC RESOURCES
Current MDC faculty have sufficient credentials and experience to mount this program.
There are 33 full-time biology faculty members throughout the campuses; 67% with terminal
degrees. MDC also has 57 biology part time faculty; 74% with terminal degrees. MDC will
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hire two additional full-time doctoral faculty members and four part-time faculty (2 FTE) by
December 2014.
STUDENT COST
The proposed MDC BS-BS provides students an affordable educational opportunity that may
lead to high-wage employment in STEM careers.5 The cost of attending the local ICUF or CIE
institutions ranges from $56,096 to $147,848--four to twelve times greater than the cost to
obtain the proposed MDC BS-BS. As shown in Table 3, the student cost for the proposed BS-BS
is estimated at $11,821-$11,925 or 41% less than the estimated cost to complete the FIU
baccalaureate Biology degree ($20,411).
ACADEMIC CONTENT
To address workforce demands and unmet need, students will receive hands-on skills in one
of two Biological/Life Science fields (biotechnology or biopharmaceutical sciences) or may
select a specialty in science education that will prepare them for the Florida Department of
Education Eligibility Statement in teaching. As requested by the relevant employers, each
specialty area will emphasize practical laboratory skills that will be strengthened through the
required, capstone internship in the prospective employer’s organization or other applicable
setting.
ENROLLMENT AND BUDGET PLAN
The proposed program builds on the existing MDC departmental infrastructure for the
natural sciences. The projected expenditure for academic years 2010 through 2014 averages
$209,351. Enrollment projections are based on 25 students (9.2 FTEs) beginning in August
2011, and increasing to 175 students (92.8 FTEs) by 2013-2014. Revenue from student fees
and other sources is projected to be $837,406 for the 4-year start-up period, based on the
2010-2011 in-state tuition/technology fee rate of $105.22 per upper division credit hour.
PLAN IF PROGRAM MUST BE TERMINATED
As mandated by the State Board of Education, MDC will demonstrate diligence to individual
student needs in the event of program termination and will enact an approved completion
plan to enable eligible students to complete the BS-BS degree coursework no later than two
academic years following the termination decision.
SUMMARY
Based on the documentation of workforce need, unmet demand, service to a diverse student
population, and program design, the MDC faculty, administration, and Board of Trustees
unanimously approved the Bachelor of Science with a major in Biological Sciences with an
implementation date of fall 2011.
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