The Mount Airy College Center for Health Care Education is a partnership among Carroll, Frederick and Howard Community Colleges. The Center’s purpose is to offer programs of study in high-demand careers to residents of the three counties at in-county tuition rates. At the Mount Airy College Center, there are associate degree programs, certificate programs, and more than a dozen short-term training and continuing education options available to students interested in health occupations. Last year, the Center began offering a Bioprocessing Technology Program.

Bioprocessing Technology involves the manufacturing of biological products, such as media, antibiotics and vaccines. In addition to finding employment in bio-manufacturing careers, graduates in this program have also had the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research. Growth in the field of bioprocessing technology has created a greater need for qualified professionals.

A daytime cohort of students began as the first class to study Bioprocessing Technology at the Mount Airy College Center in fall, 2014. A second evening cohort began at the Center in spring 2015. The program is offered by Frederick Community College. Before transferring to the Center in the fall, the program operated successfully at Frederick Community College for the nine years.

The Bioprocessing Technology program emphasizes science, communication and critical-thinking skills; manufacturing technologies; and laboratory environmental health and safety. Students work independently and collaborate in small groups in a laboratory setting. Additionally, students interact with industry professionals who bring workplace experience into the classroom. Courses in the program of study lead to a Letter of Recognition, a Certificate, or an Associate of Applied Science degree. The A.A.S. degree is transferrable to Stevenson University, University of Maryland University College, and Hood College through formal transfer agreements. Program graduates have also successfully transferred to other four-year degree programs with appropriate advising.

In addition to careers in bio-manufacturing, related biotechnology sectors of employment include medial therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics, medical devices and regulatory affairs, in addition to applications in agriculture, materials science and nanotechnology.

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