High-tech biology grant helping students at WCC
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on September 14, 2007 1:48 PM
Wayne Community College students are taking advantage of a high tech biology classroom this fall, made possible through a $44,668 state Community College System BioNetwork grant.
Funding paid for multimedia equipment that will be used for the college's biology courses and classes toward the new associate degree in Agriculture Biotechnology -- Animal Science and Health, to be added this fall.
Among the technology enhancing lectures and presentations are a "sympodium" that includes a ceiling-mounted data projector, wall-mounted speakers, and a ceiling-mounted document camera used to capture microscopic images.
The new degree at Wayne Community is being offered in collaboration with Pitt Community College in Greenville. The biotechnology major, which emphasizes animal science and health and includes courses in both biotechnology and livestock and poultry, is exclusive to Wayne Community.
The biotech industry is growing by an estimated 3,000 jobs annually, with local industry very supportive, said Dr. Kay Albertson, WCC President.
"Goldsboro Milling, which will be a major employer of graduates, expressed much enthusiasm," she said. "They are representative of a booming industry that is looking to us to provide skilled workers."