Bridge to Biotech City College of San Francisco

Learning Communities to Promote Recruiting and Retaining Students

Elaine Johnson, Bio-Link Director

History

Biotech program started in 1991. Steady increase in the number of classes and

students: 2001: 50 students 2002: 200 students 2005: 600 students 2006: 600 students

The Program has successfully produced well-trained students and continues to place them in laboratory and manufacturing jobs throughout the Bay Area.

Overview

Target students– adult

returning students with AA or BA credit & non-credit ESL students

– displaced workers– high school students– underachieved students

Biotech courses with real job component Well defined career lattice Impact on Community

One semester in length Provides necessary background to enter

Biomanufacturing Certificate Program Targets adult students with NO BIOLOGY

background and 9th grade Math and English skills. “Integrated Curriculum” composed of three classes:

Research Skills for Biotech (BTEC 10) Language of Biotechnology (ET 107) Biotech Math (ET 108A)

Bridge to Biotech: Features

Bridge to Biotech: Success

Students per semester: 40 85% retention 90% enrolled in CCSF Certificate Program upon

completion of Bridge Program 6% employed in biotech industry VTEA grant, NSF-CCLI grant, $500K Spawn programs throughout California and Texas

Recent Data

Fall Semester 06

82% retention in bridge

37 out of 45 students

2 sections

81% entered biotech program

Spring Semester 07

75% retention in bridge

33 out of 44 students

2 sections

81% entered biotech program

CREDITS Phil Jardim, Biotech Program Director

Edie Kaeuper, Biomanufacturing Director & Bridge Instructor

Carin Zimmerman, Stem Cell Director & Bridge Instructor

James Lewis, Bridge Coordinator