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Certificate Program in Biotechnology
Below this overview, you will find a list of all the courses associated with this program. While not all courses are currently offered, you can view each course description to become more familiar with the complete curriculum of the certificate or award.
Certificate Contact
Applied and Natural Sciences Department, (408) 861-3860, or e-mail program@ucsc-extension.edu.
Program Overview
The Bay Area is at the forefront of the global biopharmaceutical industry, one of the fastest growing sectors of
The Biotechnology Certificate equips professionals with a rich background in the principles, processes and cutting edge technologies central to biotechnology. This combination of general and practical knowledge enhances the skills of professionals currently working in this industry and helps prepare others to enter this dynamic field. The certificate program provides a solid understanding of the scientific disciplines that underlie the industry's activities, a foundation in the principles that guide drug discovery and development, an appreciation of the cutting-edge bioscience research and technology, and a broader awareness of today's biopharmaceutical industry.
This program will benefit professionals from all disciplines who want to develop a solid scientific foundation in the principles and applications of biotechnology, in order work more effectively in or transition into in the biopharmaceutical sector.
Certificate Requirements
To satisfy the requirements for the Certificate in Biotechnology, you must complete the four required courses as indicated in both Core A and B, and 8 units of electives from Track 1 and Track 2, for a minimum total of 19 units . In order to be eligible for this certificate, you must (1) complete all course work within three years of filing the application to establish candidacy, and (2) achieve an overall 3.0 grade point average (GPA) for all required and elective courses. In addition, all courses applying toward the certificate must have been successfully completed within five years of the date on which the certificate is issued. Please go to www.ucsc-extension.edu/gpa for our GPA calculator. Students who complete a certificate program with a GPA of 4.0 will earn a Certificate with Honors.
Students pursuing both the Biotechnology and Bioinformatics certificates need a minimum of 30 units, including all required courses and elective units for both programs. Students pursuing both the Biotechnology and Clinical Trials Design and Management certificates need a minimum of 32 units, including all required courses and elective units for both programs. Please note that in order to complete two certificate programs with the minimum number of units, students must select some electives that are common to both programs. Please contact the Applied and Natural Sciences Department if you would like assistance creating a study plan.
Courses may be taken individually or as part of the certificate program.
Prerequisites
Familiarity with the principles of modern molecular biology is required. Completion of "Molecular Biology, Introduction" or an equivalent course taken within the last five years, or equivalent experience satisfies this requirement. Please direct questions about the suitability of a prerequisite to program@ucsc-extension.edu. For those new to the industry, we recommend that "Biotechnology Basics for Non-Scientists" be taken prior to starting other course work.
Recommended Course Sequence
We recommend that you begin with "Drug Discovery, Introduction" or "Drug Development Process." After that, you may take courses in any sequence, unless otherwise specified.
Required Courses (Four)
Core A--Both Required
- Drug Development Process (2 units)
- Drug Discovery, Introduction (3 units)
Core B--Choose two of three
- Cellular Biology (3 units)
- Experimental Methods in Molecular Biology (3 units)
- Immunology, Principles (3 units)
Elective Courses (8 units required)
There are two different elective tracks available to you. Track 1 focuses on Discovery, Track 2 on Development. At least one of the eight units must be from each track.
Track 1 (Discovery)
- Bioinformatics Tools, Databases and Methods (3 units)
- Biology of Cancer (2 units)
- DNA Microarrays--Principles, Applications and Data Analysis (3 units)
- Gene Expression and Pathways (2 units)
- Human Physiology in Health and Disease (3 units)
- Mass Spectrometry in Drug Discovery (2 units)
- Neurobiology, Introduction (3.5 units)
- Pharmacology, Principles (2 units)
- Stem Cell Biology (1.5 units)
- Structure Analysis of Biological Molecules (2 units)
- Toxicology Basics for Biotechnology (1.5 units)
- Viruses, Vaccines and Gene Therapy (1.5 units)
- Biopharmaceutical Fundamentals (2 units)
- Biopharmaceutical Project Management (1.5 units)
- Bioscience Business and Marketing Essentials (1.5 units)
- Bioscience Business Development: Building Value (1.5 units)
- Bioscience Product Marketing (2 units)
- Clinical Statistics for Non-Statisticians (2 units)
- Drug Development: Formulation Design, Manufacture and Control (1.5 units)
- Good Manufacturing Practices for Biotechnology (3 units)
- Intellectual Property Essentials for the Life Science Industry (1 unit)
- Medical Devices Design and Development (2 units)
- Medical Devices: Regulatory Strategies and Marketing Pathways (1.5 units)
- Molecular Diagnostics (1.5 units)
- Nanotechnology, Introduction (1 unit)
- Regulation of Drugs and Biologics (3 units)
- Regulation of Medical Devices and Diagnostics (3 units)
Certificate Application Information
We encourage you to establish candidacy in a certificate program early in your studies. Curriculum changes subsequent to the date your application is received will not affect your course requirements. Candidates will be notified of updates or special opportunities related to the program. Certificate applications can be submitted through our online form or using our PDF form .
Once the requirements of the certificate have been met, students must contact our office at program@ucsc-extension.edu to request their certificate.
Transferring Credit From Other Schools
Subject to departmental approval, students may substitute one equivalent course from another institution for one in the certificate program. The course must have been taken within the past five years with a grade of C or better, cover the same material as the required course, carry equivalent or more credit, and be from an accredited academic institution.
To be considered, obtain a " Substitution Request Form " from our Web site and send your request along with a course outline and description, and transcript to:
Applied and Natural Sciences
UCSC Extension in Silicon Valley
2505 Augustine Drive, Suite 100
Santa Clara, CA 95054
