Nanotechnology: Biology Department

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The faculty of the Biology and the Physical Sciences departments at Arapahoe Community College have made great efforts to become involved in the science of nanotechnology. Academic curiosity and institutional commitment to providing ACC students with future-oriented learning experiences started ACC down the nanopath. Here are some highlights of Arapahoe Community Colleges’ recent involvement in nanotechnology:

I. Description of what we have done already

1. Attended the Penn State National Manufacturing Technology (NMT) Partnership winter partners meeting at the regional center for nanofabrication education. This site is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technology Education (ATE) Center event.
2. The biology department has given workshops to middle school children.
   • The ATE’s national visiting committee
3. Community outreach presentation on nanotechnology.
   • Marketed in local and regional newspapers
   • First community college in the state to offer any course on nanotechnology.
   • Introduction to Nanotechnology (Bio 275) offered for credit and audit beginning in the fall of 2004. Guest lecture series will be included.
4. Chemistry faculty has attended a conference in California and is producing workshop material and hands on lab experiments.
5. Physics faculty has obtained a Scanning Tunneling electron Microscope and is developing workshop material.
6. ACC has formed a nanotechnology committee and is developing material for a planned workshop for HS teachers.
7. Faculty have attended a semiconductors, automated manufacturing, electronics – training and education conference (SAME-TEC) in Santa Clara California.
8. Had an Emerging Technologies Enlightened Perspectives Lecture Series at ACC. Had many experts in the field of nanotechnology talk.

II. Incorporate nanotechnology emphasis in disciplines. What we hope to accomplish.

1. Nanotechnology requires a multidisciplinary (or interdisciplinary) approach. An interdisciplinary curriculum that encompasses a broad understanding of basic science intertwined with engineering sciences and information science is pertinent.
2. Develop a multidisciplinary-based portfolio for assessment of competencies achieved, which are evaluated by faculty from different disciplines.
3. Competencies will include problem solving and a basic set of skills necessary to be successful in a technical and educational environment.
4. Take the competencies and develop one credit hour courses. This allows maximum flexibility for the students and a path for the displaced worker to capstone courses at universities or to specific certificate or degree tracts in a given area. This also gives students the opportunity to review what they are weak in.

III. Establish relationship with business and universities

1. Faculty members from community colleges and universities must collaborate with industry in order to educate and train students in the field of nanotechnology
2. Industry workshops.
3. Workforce retraining that places the worker in a centralized area within the nanotechnology training structure for greater flexibility for the worker and efficiency for the community college.
4. Have a cooperative association with local nanotech companies.
5. Student recruitment component to underrepresented groups.

IV. Faculty professional development.

V. Career awareness outreach.

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