Description
William J. Thieman taught biology at Ventura College for 40 years and biotechnology for 11 years before retiring from full time teaching in 2005. He continues to serve as an advisor to the college biotechnology program. He received his B.A. in biology from California State University at Northridge in 1966 and his M.A. degree in Zoology in 1969 at UCLA. In 1995, he started the biotechnology program at Ventura College. In 1998, he added the laboratory skills course, and it was articulated as a state-approved vocational program. He identified technical skills needed for the program while serving three summer internships at Amgen, Biosource (now Invotrogen) and Biopool. The internships provided an opportunity to learn protocols, interact with lab directors, and query technicians, focusing on identifying the skills needed in these biotechnology companies. He routinely engaged his contacts at these biotechnology companies to lead lab protocols and describe their experienc
