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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. In addition,
the proposed degree will prepare students to apply for the FLDOE Eligibility Statement in
teaching. 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 available at 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 institutions primarily serve a younger adult
population; the MDC program will prepare older, financially challenged students. (4) By
providing a BS-BS specifically designed to address workforce needs, graduates will have
opportunities for immediate employment, thus contributing to the well-being of their
extended families and to the economic development of Region 23.
A. PLANNING PROCESS
An administrative planning committee worked with full-time faculty to assess the need for a
workforce related BS-BS (Appendix A). The committee conducted industry and student surveys
(Appendices B and C); examined national, state, and local workforce data; analyzed the region’s
academic life/biological science programs; reviewed existing Florida College System biology
baccalaureate degrees; discussed the BS-BS with Workforce Region 23 state and private
universities (Appendices A, D, E, F, and G); evaluated available MDC resources, facilities, and
equipment; and elicited recommendations from external stakeholders, including local industry
leaders and state and local government (Appendices B and D). Based on the findings, MDC
faculty developed and recommended the proposed program approved by the Board of Trustees
(Appendices H, I, and J). To date, MDC has received 42 letters of support from local industry
leaders, workforce development agencies and economic development councils, as well as other
stakeholders (Appendix M).
B. PROGRAM 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,
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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.
C. WORKFORCE DEMAND/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 B, 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 number of biological science baccalaureate graduates is insufficient. The State
Agency for Workforce Innovation reports an average of 944 employment openings in Region 23
requiring a baccalaureate degree or higher in the biological sciences 2 (Appendix G). The area’s
graduate schools have increased their capacity for advanced biology-related study, expanding
by 26% over the 2009 data, requiring even more baccalaureates to enter the graduate school
pipeline.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 I However, in
2010, Florida International University produced only 217 biology-related undergraduate
degrees; area private institutions (Barry University, Florida Memorial University, St. Thomas
University, and the University of Miami) awarded an additional 404 degrees.3
Given the
current need and predicted future growth for the life sciences industries in South Florida, the
621 baccalaureate graduates currently produced is inadequate to sustain economic growth.
D. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
No capital outlay for facilities is required for the proposed MDC BS-BS. The proposed
program will take full advantage of 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 BS-BS 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.
E. LIBRARY/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
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and 225 new media titles. Capital outlay of $186,000 is required for the proposed MDC BSBS to increase library holdings (Appendix K).
F. 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
hire two additional full-time doctoral faculty members and four part-time faculty (2 FTE) by
December 2014.
G. COST TO STUDENTS
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).
H. 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.
I. ENROLLMENT, PERFORMANCE 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 (Appendix K).
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.
J. PLAN OF ACTION IF PROGRAM MUST BE TERMINATED
As mandated by the State Board of Education, Miami Dade College will demonstrate
diligence to individual needs in the event of program termination and will enact an approved
degree completion plan to enable eligible students to complete the appropriate BS-BS
degree program coursework following the termination decision (Appendix L). The BS-BS
program will accept no new students and will provide transition services, including a
transition educational plan outlining coursework and program options for completion and
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will ensure that the program will remain open and provide “teach-out” options to allow
eligible students to complete graduation requirements within two academic years. In
addition to these options, the MDC School of Science will work closely with the MDC School
of Education to create transition plans for students who may elect to transfer to MDC’s
existing Secondary Biology Education program or work closely with other upper-division,
higher education providers to transition students seamlessly to similar programs. The plan
will be comprised of courses based on an individual student review, with extensive and
personalized transfer and advising assistance. Using the MDC student/staff email service
and direct mailings, individuals will be contacted and offered assistance with the termination
process options.
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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