California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA July 22, 2010 – CSU Channel Islands (CI) is planning to launch a Master’s Program in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics with an emphasis on Biomedical Engineering (BME) in January of 2011. The proposed BME program will address the growing regional and national need for biomedical engineers by graduating a highly educated and trained workforce with increased diversity.

Nationally there are over 1,500 biotech companies which generate thousands of high paying jobs and billions of dollars in revenue. California leads the nation in the field of biotechnology with one third of these companies residing in state, many of which are highly successful, multinational corporations. The California biotech industry employs 260,000 people with estimated revenue of $62 billion and is growing exponentially.

The program will be offered through CI’s Extended University as a self-funded program and not subject to the ups and downs of funding from the state budget. The program is available both to CI students and to those working in the biotech industry who wish to advance their own technical skills. Classes will be conducted in the evening or on weekends to accommodate those who are working or otherwise unable to attend during daytime hours. The BME program has a strong advisory board composed of members from the local biotech industry who, in conjunction with CI faculty, contribute input on program design and implementation so course work remains relevant to current industry needs.

Biomedical engineering is an interdisciplinary field involving diagnostics, medical instrumentation, tissue engineering, biomechanics and biorobotics. There is a great shortage of qualified workers needed in this field and 28% of the jobs require at least a Master’s degree or higher in the biotech field. The program in this new BME is well positioned to serve California’s and the nation’s needs. Students graduating from the program will be ready to enter their chosen field and make a contribution or go on to pursue an advanced degree or professional training.

For information on the program and enrollment process contact Extended University at 805-437-2748 or extedu@csuci.edu.

CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.