District Wide
Biology Discipline Meeting
Berkeley City College Rm. 451-A
October 20, 2010
2:00-4:00 pm
1. Overview of Meeting – Eileen White
2. Biotechnology at BCC – Barbara Des Rochers
3. Biotechnology at Merritt – Hank Fabian
4. Biotechnology AS Degree at Laney – Leslie Blackie
5. Bio Science Flowchart
6. Interacting with other departments and services
a. Inviting counselors to department meetings
b. Develop a paper for chancellors
7. Future Meetings
Present: Rebecca Kenney, Krista Johns, Leslie Blackie, Gary Perkins, Reza Majlesi, Nathan
Strong, Hank Fabian, Robert Macey, Arja McCray, Barbara Des Rochers, Pieter de Haan,
Robert Brem Eileen White, Betty Inclan.
1. Eileen White started out with the purpose of today’s meeting to look into overlapping
courses and consolidation. (Background: this meeting was convened after Merritt posted a
range of Biotech courses at the CIPD. Pieter de Haan arranged this meeting). Hank Fabian
asked to put Alameda proposed forensic courses on the agenda.
2. Berkeley City College
Barbara Des Rochers introduced the Biotechnology programs at BCC. The programs at BCC
started in 1995 and were developed in close connections with the industry, state and federal
labs. The programs were funded with a NSF grant, PCCD, and funding from state and
county.
Berkeley Biotech Education Inc. (BBEI), a non-profit group from Bayer, tried to manipulate
the biotech curriculum at Vista. After this issue arose, BBEI moved to Laney. After BBEI
left Vista, the biotech program flourished and attracted mature students starting in science to
students with advanced degrees in science. Biotech at Vista became a strong program in the
basics and prepared the students with a broad base for industry, state and federal laboratories
and research labs. Certificates and an A.S. degree were developed.
The biotech program at BCC has a 100% job placement or 100% transfer rate to research
institutions.
When Rubicon contacted BCC, entry level courses were developed in the Biotech program
and a Level One Certificate Proficiency in Biotechnology was established. This certificate
is undergoing some adjustments: from 17.5 units to 26 units with pre-requisites of Math 201,
English 201A, Biology 10 and Chemistry 30A prior to entering the scientific instrumentation
class, 230B.
Other certificates and degree at BCC:
Certificate of Achievement in Biotechnology: 48 Unit Certificate similar to A.S. degree
without the general education, English 1A.
A.S. of Science and Biotechnology: 61 unit A.S. degree program; includes Scientific
literature (Bio 32), Microbiology (Bio 3), Scientific instrumentation (Bio 230A), Molecular
genetics (Bio 34), Immunology (Bio 33), Technical writing (Eng 53).
This year the biotechnology department received a large grant from the California Institute
for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). This grant funds 21 internships for 9 months at the
following research institutions: UCSF, UC Berkeley, and Children Hospital in Oakland.
Because of this grant a new Certificate in stem cell biology will be added. To receive this
certificate, students must complete the internship (9 months), training in handling stem cells
at UCSF and Bio 230C (a third scientific instrumentation course that must be developed as
part of this grant to cover proteomics, stem cells and advanced tissue culture manipulations).
Secondly, a general education class will be established: Science and Medicine in the 21st
Century as detailed in the grant.
3. Merritt College
Hank Fabian explained the purpose of the genomics center. It will house DNA sequencers.
Student will be trained to operate the sequencers. He thinks that this genomics center will be
sustainable through sequencing DNA for profit.
There is a cost of maintenance and upgrades associated with this endeavor, which was not
addressed. There is a need for $100,000 from the district to launch this center and Dr. Wise
Allen has requested that this wait until the new Chancellor is appointed.
Another program at Merritt is the Microscopy program which was not addressed at this
meeting.
4. Laney College
Laney has the Biomanufacturing Program. It has two Certificates: Certificate of Proficiency,
and Certificate of Achievement.
Leslie Blackie has put together an A.S. degree in Biomanufacturing that is proceeding
through the approval process at the State.
5. College of Alameda
Nathan Strong unveiled their plan to establish 4 certificate programs: three in forensics and
one in stem cell research.
Future Agenda Items
1. State approval process
2. CTE class size
3. CoA programs
4. Partnerships
5. Bio Science Flowchart
6. Work with Chancellors