Work on the front lines of biopharma

Gain an understanding of scientific disciplines, a foundation in principles guiding drug discovery and development, an appreciation of the latest bioscience research and technology, and a broader awareness of today’s biopharmaceutical industry. We offer instruction for professionals from all disciplines at all levels of experience. Focus on the theoretical fundamentals in the Discovery track or practical applications in our Development track.

Biotechnology certificate program objectives

• Understand molecular diagnostics and their applications on healthcare
• Break down key molecular biology techniques used to discover novel therapeutics
• Explain the use of mass spectrometry in drug discovery
• Recognize abnormalities in gene expression pathways and how they relate to human disease
• Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC)

Please review the course descriptions to ensure that you have taken necessary prerequisites or meet the requirements through job experience or previous education.

Molecular biology. Familiarity with the principles of modern molecular biology is required to begin the Biotechnology certificate. You can satisfy this requirement with an introductory course in molecular biology (taken within the last five years) or by demonstrating equivalent work experience.

Please follow this sequence. Begin with these core courses: Drug Discovery, Introduction and Drug Development Process. After that, courses may be taken in any order provided the prerequisites are met.

Choose at least two core courses. Biochemistry: An Introduction, Cellular Biology, Experimental Methods in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Principles. Core courses may be taken as electives once the requisite two are taken.

Two Tracks. Choose at least one unit of elective credit from each track—Discovery and Development.

DISCOVERY TRACK

• 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 unit
• Genomics and Next Generation DNA Sequencing: Methods and Applications, 3 units
• Stem Cell Biology, 1.5 units
• Toxicology Basics for Biotechnology, 1.5 units
• Viruses, Vaccines and Gene Therapy, 1.5 units

DEVELOPMENT TRACK

• Drug Quality Fundamentals: Quality Control of Small Molecule Drugs & Biologics, 1.5 units
• Good Manufacturing Practices, 3 units
• Molecular Diagnostics, 1.5 units
• Regulation of Drugs and Biologics, 3 units

Substitutions

You may take one elective outside the certificate curriculum, if you receive prior approval from the Academic Services Department.

Dual Certification & Shared Credit

Learn more for Less: You can complete two bioscience certificate programs at UCSC Extension simultaneously or in sequence with fewer units than if the programs were taken individually. Students pursing two certificates need to:

• Complete the total number of units indicated in the table below.
• Complete all required courses for both programs.
• Count each unit only once.
• Select some electives that are common to both programs.

To receive your certificate

Upon completion of the course sequence you may request your Biotechnology Certificate Completion Review.

Also of interest

• Data Privacy and Security for Healthcare and Biosciences
• Clinical Trials Essentials: An Intensive One-Week Course