Northern Essex Community College (NECC) is developing a new science curriculum to enable students to enter the workforce as skilled laboratory technicians or to transfer to a four-year college or university. The new science curriculum includes a core that focuses on data analysis skills, basic and analytical chemistry techniques, troubleshooting skills, and discipline related molecular biology, chemistry, and field analysis techniques. Students then build on this foundation to pursue a specific discipline; either analytical chemistry, biotechnology, or environmental sciences. The intellectual merit of this project lies in the creation of a number of new science courses that use the latest techniques in biotechnology, environmental sciences, and analytical chemistry to form a new Associate's Degree in Applied Science. The broader impact of the project is found in its targeting the large and growing population of Hispanic students in the area and addressing the particular needs thse ESL students. In doing so it prepares underrepresented students for technical jobs in local industries, provides alternative pathways for student transfer, and serves regional industries by providing them with skilled technical workers.
