Biotechnology
Biotechnology: One of the Bay Area's Top Growth Industries
The Bay Area is at the forefront of the global biopharmaceutical industry. It is one of the fastest growing sectors of California’s economy. Local companies and research institutions are setting the pace in the discovery and development of biopharmaceuticals to target major unmet medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, AIDS and other degenerative diseases.
Build the Foundation You Need to Succeed in Biotechnology
UCSC Extension’s Biotechnology Certificate 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 cutting-edge bioscience research and technology, and a broader awareness of today’s biopharmaceutical industry. 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.
Who Should Attend This Program
This program is designed for chemists, biologists and other scientists who want to enhance their knowledge of the principles and applications of biotechnology. It also benefits individuals from other disciplines who need a solid scientific foundation in order to enter or work more effectively in the biopharmaceutical field.
Prerequisites
Familiarity with the principles of modern molecular biology is required. Successful completion of "Molecular Biology, Introduction," an equivalent course taken within the last five years, or equivalent experience satisfies this requirement. 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
After the prerequisites are met, it is recommended that participants begin with "Drug Discovery, Introduction" or "Drug Development Process." After that, courses may be taken in any sequence, unless otherwise specified.
Benefits of Declaring Candidacy
We encourage you to establish candidacy in a certificate program early in your studies. There are substantial benefits in doing so:
- 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
- Priority enrollment in fully enrolled courses
Program Contact
Enroll online now or contact the Applied & Natural Sciences Department for more
information: (408) 861-3860 or e-mail program@ucsc-extension.edu.
Biotechnology Certificate Requirements
Total: 19 units
Required: 4 courses
(Two courses each from Core A and Core B are required -- see course schedule)
Elective: 8 units
(A minimum of 1 elective unit must be taken from both Track 1 (Discovery) and Track 2 (Development) -- see course schedule)
GPA: 3.0
C or better in all courses.
Timeline: Complete minimum units/courses within 3 years.
Note: Courses completed more than five years prior to date of certificate issuance cannot be used to fulfill requirements.
How to Apply
Certificate applications can be submitted online. Simply click on the "Declare Candidacy" button above. Then, select the "Enroll" button next to the certificate title and follow the instructions.
Transfer a Course
Forms & Information
FAQs
Course Materials
Refer to your enrollment receipt for specific details about materials for this course. Your course may require one or both of the following types of materials:
Course Readers: Students are responsible for ordering printed course readers through our on-demand course materials service.
Electronic Course Materials: An electronic version may also be downloaded after logging in to your course website: https://online.ucsc-extension.edu/xsl-portal
For more details on both of these options, visit our course materials page.
