Walla Walla Community College

REG Grays Harbor, Pacific Ethanol, ZeaChem

The following pathways have been approved by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges:

1. Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences Degree in Bioenergy Operations:

• Up to 116 credits over two years (quarter system).

• 7 new courses in Bioenergy - all available on-line (with hands-on labs): Introduction to Bioenergy; Biorefinery Processes; Biorefinery Equipment; Biomass Feedstock Management; Biorefinery Operations; Bio-Chemical Conversion; and Thermo-Chemical Conversion.

• Supporting courses = existing courses in Energy Systems, Water Management, Agriculture, Chemistry, Biology, and Engineering.

2. Certificate in Bioenergy Operations:

• Available for completion of Year One sequence (49 credits).
• Three Bioenergy courses required.

3. Bioenergy Short Certificate series:

• Tailored for incumbent workers and students at aligned community and technical colleges.
• Biorefinery Processes: Intro. To Bioenergy + Biorefinery Processes (5 credits);
• Biorefinery Operations: Biorefinery Equipment + Biorefinery Operations (7 credits); and
• Chemical Conversion: Bio-Chemical Conversion + Thermo-Chemical Conversion (10 credits).

4. Certificate in Biomass Feedstock Management:

• Issued after completion of three quarters course sequence (57.4 credits).
• 75% of courses required for Certificate are also required for existing Associate Degree in Agriculture Science & Technology.
• New Biomass Feedstock Management course = only required Bioenergy course.

5. Under development: Associate in Science - Option I (Life Sciences) transfer degree with Bioenergy courses:

• Transfer degree with draft articulations developed in coordination with:

1. Oregon State University's Bioresource Research (BRR): Bioproducts and Bioenergy Option program; and
2. University of Washington's Environmental Science and Resource Management (ESRM) program.
3. Planning to articulate in the future with: Washington State University; University of Idaho; University of California at Davis; and Western Washington University.

​Graduates from Walla Walla Community College have secured positions such as:

• Biofuels/Bioproducts Processing Technician (ZeaChem)
• Biofuels Operator (REG Grays Harbor)
• Wastewater
• Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (past position as Biofuels Operator with Pacific Ethanol)
• Drinking Water Operator
• Hydroelectric Maintenance Mechanic
• Electrician 
• Fiberglass Manufacturing Technician
• Ammonia/Refrigeration Technician
• Irrigation Service Technician
• Mint Oil Technician