Putting teeth into education – helping students do what they love to do
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Inspired by science
“I always knew sciences were for me,” says Rosy McCrodan, recent graduate of Camosun’s Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology (ACBT) program. After finishing high school, she followed the traditional science-based path to university. But, as one of 400 students in first-year lectures, she found it hard to thrive – the atmosphere was too overwhelming, too impersonal.
“I felt like no one cared about me,” she says. After a dispirited year, her mother, an instructor at Camosun, suggested she might like the smaller class size and individualized attention at the college.
“It was such a relief to come to Camosun!” says McCrodan. “I’m an academic. Camosun has amazing teachers and a focus on skills. This was an atmosphere where I could learn.”
Igniting a career
“I got sparked with chemistry at Camosun,” says McCrodan. Immersed in second-year organic chemistry, her instructor, Larry Lee, suggested she join the ACBT program. It was a perfect fit. “The small cohort felt like family, and the instructors made very sure I was getting what I needed out of the program.”
Lee agrees: “In our ACBT program, we’ll do our best to mentor and provide guidance to students from the beginning until they reach their goal.”
The program was originally designed to prepare the two-year ACBT diploma program graduates for laboratory work in subjects such as cancer research, microbial disease research, drug development, plant biotech, or environmental protection. Increasingly, however, the program has launched students into further education. The optional internship enables students to try out potential careers. In addition, the program’s core courses transfer into programs such as Royal Roads University’s Bachelor of Environmental Science, and can bolster the application to professional schools such as University of BC (UBC) Dentistry, UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences, or BC Institute of Technology Public Health.
Combining science and people
McCrodan realized she wanted to find a career direction that combined both organic chemistry and working with people. As she began to consider her options, she heard a story of a previous ACBT student entering dentistry at UBC. Then, one day, her own dentist pointed to an amalgam filling and said “this is why you take chemistry.” And right then, her career clicked into focus.
McCrodan was accepted into the dentistry program on her first try – not an easy feat. She explains that, in today’s world, scientific brilliance is not the only criteria, but that interpersonal skills are just as important.
Now in her first semester of the very demanding dentistry program at UBC, McCroydan credits the ACBT program with her success. Even though she was required to complete her final prerequisites at the University of Victoria, she thanks Camosun for supplying her with practical skills and the support she needed.
“I am doing what I really want to do,” says McCrodan.
Studying sciences at Camosun
Camosun offers all kinds of doors into a science education and careers. We offer credentials that can transfer into third-year studies of a university bachelor's degree such as a Diploma in Arts & Science Studies or an Associate of Science degree. For many students, the best years of university are at Camosun!
Camosun College’s Mission:
We build a better tomorrow by providing outstanding and relevant learning experiences, valued credentials, and life-long student success.
Contact
Blair Surridge
Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology program
250-370-3438
surridgeb@camosun.bc.ca
Last updated: September 23, 2015 5:12 pm
