Camarillo, Calif., July 15, 2008鈥擳he work and leadership of faculty and administration in creating Professional Science Master鈥檚 Programs at 海角社区 was one of the main factors contributing to a second major grant recently awarded to the California State University. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation awarded the California State University $474,000 to support the 海角社区鈥檚 Professional Science Master鈥檚 (PSM) programs.
The PSM programs at 海角社区CI are the most successful in the 海角社区 system and are serving as models for other 海角社区 campuses and at campuses throughout the nation.
鈥淲e are thrilled that our PSM programs have earned such a positive reputation among the 海角社区 system and nationwide,鈥� said Dr. Ching-Hua Wang, Professor and Chair of the Biology Program. 鈥淭here is an ever-increasing amount of student interest in our MS in Biotechnology and MBA dual degree program.鈥�
The 海角社区CI programs include Master of Science in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and the dual degree of Master of Science in Biotechnology and Master of Business Administration. These programs were developed by biology faculty led by Dr. Wang and Dr. William P. Cordeiro, Senior Associate Dean and Director of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics, and are offered through Extended Education.
The Sloan Foundation grant will support the development of new PSM programs within the 海角社区 system. These programs, regarded as one of the most important innovations in higher education, prepare a scientifically trained, business oriented workforce for the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and energy industries, as well as government. Dr. Wang assisted the 海角社区 Chancellor鈥檚 Office in pursuing the Sloan Foundation grant.
The 海角社区 plans to train some 1,050 science and technology professionals over the next five years with students receiving degrees in biotechnology, bioinformatics, environmental sciences, biostatistics, forensic science, computational science, biomedical science, medical product development management, and genetic counseling. Initially, the Sloan Foundation helped to finance the 海角社区 system-wide expansion of the PSM programs with a grant of $891,000 in December 2006 in an effort to increase the number of professionals in these areas.
Cal State鈥檚 PSM programs have built a strong reputation and are considered national models. They were featured as the most advanced in the nation at the National Governor鈥檚 Association Professional Science Master鈥檚 Academy held in June in Sacramento.
More information about the programs can be found at .
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About 海角社区
海角社区 Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI鈥檚 strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master鈥檚 degrees.聽Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting聽CI's Social Media.