February 1, 2002

Biotechnology Program Opens At Lake Land College This Fall

BY DAWN SCHABBING Staff Writer
   MATTOON -Starting this fall, students at Lake Land College can get hands-on laboratory experience in an effort to gain employment in fields like cancer research and other life science careers.
   A new biotechnology program desgned by staff at the college is expected to allow at least 15 college students to begin the laboratory-based courses this fall, said David Turnbull, anatomy and physiology instructor at Lake Land College.
   The hands-on associate in science degree allows employment opportunities for graduates not transferring to a four-year university. Turnbull recommends earning at least a bachelor's degree in the field for more opportunities and better pay.
   Jobs for graduates with a two-year degree could pay a salary of $25,000 annually, but jobs for graduates with a four-year degree could pay between $40,000 and $60,000 annually.
   "Many different jobs are all using the core techniques in biotechnology," said Turnbull. He said jobs in cancer biology , environmental biology and pathology are examples.
   Turnbull spoke to Mattoon High School biology students on Thursday about the new program that is expected to be a cut above other community colleges and some universities, because of the amount of lab time students are to receive.
   "We want to give you the chance to know and feel what it is like in the industry ," said Turnbull.
   Other community colleges offer the biotech program, but Turnbull said the majority of those are an associate in applied science degrees and are not transferable to a four-year institution.
   "The associate degree in biotechnology has practical applications in growing job markets including pharmaceutical and agricultural industries," said Turnbull. "Lake Land's program focuses more on the agricultural aspect, such as developing genetically engineered crops, but also will cover medical applications," he said.
   Students in the biotech program are expected to have plenty of individual lab work. Students will not work directly with stem cells, although they will receive training in this innovative technique in medical science, a type of training that no university in Illinois currently offers, he said.
   Courses required for the program include general chemistry , bio-science, survey of biotechnology, microbiology, basic cell culturing, organic chemistry, ethics and more.
   "The industry is not looking so much for you to memorize something, then take the test and pass the test. Instead it is looking for more hands-on experiences. In this, you would have to show that something works in the lab," said Turnbull.
   A biotechnology program at Mattoon High School was created by Shelly Epperson through a grant by the Foundation for Academic Excellence. Turnbull said these students are receiving excellent hands-on learning at this level.
   "Our students were very excited to learn about Lake Land's new program," said Epperson. "You don't find the kind of training you will receive in Lake Land's program at any other institution in the Midwest. I hear from biotechnology companies all the time who are seeking students with skills that this program will offer ," she said.
   The associate degree could transfer to Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
Contact Dawn Schabbing at dschabbing@jg- tc.com.