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Learn about a successful collaboration between a community college and a state university to meet the demand for bioscience undergraduates. This model offers a biology/chemistry double major with a biochemistry/biotechnology emphasis.
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Community College and State University Collaborate to Meet Demand forBioscience Undergraduates: A MODEL FOR GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION FROM THE BIOSCIENCES Craig Longtine, Jonathan Shaver, Paul Melchior, (NHCC), Mark Wallert, and Joseph Provost (MSUM)
Objective of the Collaboration • Offer a Biology/Chemistry Double Major • Biochemistry/Biotechnology emphasis • Location: North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) • Degree-granting Institution: Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM)
Shared educational philosophy • Biologists who teach rather than biology teachers • NHCC has large enrollments in biology and chemistry Moorhead State (4-year) 225 miles North Hennepin (2-year)
Course Rollout Schedule • First upper-division MSUM classes on NHCC campus, Fall 2006 • 6 courses by Spring, 2008 • Final course for degree, Spring 2009 • Objective: Replicate on-campus MSUM degree program and experiences
Need for the Collaboration • Few alternatives to earn a bioscience degree • Private colleges and the University of MN • Public 4-Year universities
Institutional Characteristics • North Hennepin Community College • 9,300 students; 4,300 FYE • 26% underrepresented minority • 71% first-generation college students • Minnesota State University Moorhead • 9,000 students; 7,000 FYE • 5% underrepresented minority
Institutional Characteristics • North Hennepin Community College • STEM students, 46% increase(2001 – 2006) • Biology students, 98% increase(2001 – 2006) • Underrepresented students in biology, 535(2006) • Minnesota State University Moorhead • Established, strong program; however… • Generally aging, static population
Benefits to Students and Region • Increased opportunities for students • Place-bound, part-time, limited resources • Location, cost, research opportunities • Students underrepresented in STEM • easy transition to four-year curriculum • Economic benefits • Relatively high salaries • Growth of biological/medical industry
Benefits to Institutions • North Hennepin Community College • STEM degrees for underserved students • Student recruitment, retention, and tuition • Students may come to NHCC specifically for STEM • Change perception of community colleges • Individual benefits to faculty
Benefits to Institutions • Minnesota State University Moorhead • STEM degrees for underrepresented students • Confer more degrees, tuition revenue • Increased visibility in population and industrial center of the state • Benefits to on-campus MSUM faculty?
Challenges • Buy-in from faculty and administration; communication; not really our students;? • Replacement of NHCC faculty teaching MSUM courses • Two unions • Research opportunities (Freshmen – Senior) • Space for new classes and research • Who is in charge?
Challenges • Who pays for what, when, and how • Lab start up, set-up, ordering supplies, shared equipment • Nasty details • Application and registration, transcripts, financial aid, advising, academic support, e.g., peer tutoring • Changing the culture; Students may not know what they are in for until the “climate” changes • Permanent MSUM faculty will experience some unique challenges