To prepare students for the science-focused jobs of the 21st century, the college has added new, high-tech science facilities that accommodate more biology and chemistry classes. These state-of-the-art buildings not only help relieve some of the student demand for science courses, but also allow the college to add more classes that best position our students for transfer to four-year institutions or for employment at local businesses.
In fall 2013, on the Oceanside Campus, MiraCosta College opened a new science building that has already helped to relieve some of the student demand for science courses.
"These labs have played a critical role in alleviating the backlog of students who are waiting to take science classes," said David Broad, MiraCosta College Board of Trustees president.
The $1.9 million modular building houses two biology laboratories and is the first of its kind at a California community college.
"We decided to build labs that are completely sustainable," said Tom Macias, MiraCosta College's director of facilities. The 3,360-square-foot labs run on photovoltaic power and are LEED Platinum Level-worthy.
On the San Elijo Campus in Cardiff, construction has begun on Building 1000, a new science building that will include two labs dedicated to the teaching of chemistry, biology and the physical sciences.
"The new science labs will enable MiraCosta College to expand the breadth and number of science courses available to students in the southern portion of our district," said Carlos Lopez, dean of mathematics and sciences. "In the dedicated chemistry lab we will be able to offer the full breadth of our chemistry courses; including organic chemistry, which we could not previously schedule at this site. In addition to chemistry courses, the new labs will also support a host of other physical science labs like oceanography and geology."
Building 1000 will be complete and open for classes beginning in fall 2014.
MiraCosta College offers approximately 155 science sections each semester, plus an additional 28 nursing sections. MiraCosta College has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade and today has 30 percent more students than in 2003. Students studying science has also grown tremendously; today, more students have declared a science major than ever before.
In fall 2013, on the Oceanside Campus, MiraCosta College opened a new science building that has already helped to relieve some of the student demand for science courses.
"These labs have played a critical role in alleviating the backlog of students who are waiting to take science classes," said David Broad, MiraCosta College Board of Trustees president.
The $1.9 million modular building houses two biology laboratories and is the first of its kind at a California community college.
"We decided to build labs that are completely sustainable," said Tom Macias, MiraCosta College's director of facilities. The 3,360-square-foot labs run on photovoltaic power and are LEED Platinum Level-worthy.
On the San Elijo Campus in Cardiff, construction has begun on Building 1000, a new science building that will include two labs dedicated to the teaching of chemistry, biology and the physical sciences.
"The new science labs will enable MiraCosta College to expand the breadth and number of science courses available to students in the southern portion of our district," said Carlos Lopez, dean of mathematics and sciences. "In the dedicated chemistry lab we will be able to offer the full breadth of our chemistry courses; including organic chemistry, which we could not previously schedule at this site. In addition to chemistry courses, the new labs will also support a host of other physical science labs like oceanography and geology."
Building 1000 will be complete and open for classes beginning in fall 2014.
MiraCosta College offers approximately 155 science sections each semester, plus an additional 28 nursing sections. MiraCosta College has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade and today has 30 percent more students than in 2003. Students studying science has also grown tremendously; today, more students have declared a science major than ever before.