Certificate and Training Programs
By L'cinda Scott-McCall
The following is a list of some of the institutions that are offering certificate and training programs:
California State University, Channel Island (CSUCI) -- Certificate in Biotechnology--The Certificate in Biotechnology is designed to provide individuals who have already obtained a B.A. or B.S. degree in another discipline with the opportunity to obtain a certificate for advanced Biology coursework that is equivalent to a minor in Biology with an emphasis on Biotechnology.
California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) --The Biotechnology Certificate Program-- This certificate program consists of 34 units and is designed to give recognition to students who complete a curriculum emphasizing cellular and molecular techniques. This is an appropriate capstone for biology or chemistry students and is preparatory for careers in industrial and academic biological research, development, and production.
California State University, Los Angeles -- Biotechnology (Post-baccalaureate) Certificate Program-- This post baccalaureate certificate program provides intensive theoretical and laboratory training in the techniques and application of genetic engineering and related technologies. It is meant for students who have a bachelor's degree or equivalent in the biological or biochemical sciences but who have little or no experience in genetic engineering.
California State University San Marcos -- Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Certificate -- The program is designed to train individuals to be well versed in cutting edge technologies and current market trends. The program covers a range of topics deemed crucial in supplying a solid science foundation, supplemented by hands-on training in a laboratory setting. In addition, the curriculum provides an overview of the industry and the functions of biotechnology and pharmaceutical laboratories in research, manufacturing and quality control.
*Colorado State University School of Biomedical Engineering -- The School of Biomedical Engineering offers undergraduate students who are in good academic standing the opportunity to earn credits in an interdisciplinary studies program (ISP) to complement their primary major. This 21 credit program is similar to a minor and is open to all majors. It is designed to introduce students to biomedical engineering and strengthen their skills in engineering and science. The program provides a solid foundation in biomedical engineering and life sciences, as well as a familiarity with the clinical environment.
*Duke University Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering Certificate -- The University Program in Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering is a multidisciplinary certificate program that integrates activities in engineering, the life sciences, and medicine. The participating faculty are from the departments of Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Medicine, Neurobiology, Ophthalmology, Radiation Oncology, and Surgery. The program emphasizes research, education (both undergraduate and graduate) and interactions with industry. The research focus of the program is upon the action of proteins, cells and tissues -- and the materials (both natural and synthetic) with which they interact -- in natural biological processes, and in the medical diagnosis and therapy. A NIGMS biotechnology training grant offers stipends, tuition and fees to a number of BTE pre-doctoral students.
Indiana University School of Medicine -- The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology is designed to train technicians for working in health-related industrial research laboratories, including those at the IU School of Medicine. Students also have access to IUSM core facilities in gene expression analysis, genotyping, protein expression, animal experimentation, proteomics, imaging and cell analysis research.
Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington -- Biotechnology Program -- Ivy Tech Community College's Biotechnology degree program is designed to provide an educational opportunity to students who want to take career paths in Biotechnology as entry-level technicians.
Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute, OH -- Ohio State ATI has a broad range of programs in agriculture: horticulture, animal sciences, crop sciences, environmental sciences, and engineering technologies. They have the largest number of 2 year agricultural graduates in the nation.
Seattle Central Community College -- Biotechnology Training Program -- The Biotechnology Training Program prepares students for entry-level employment as biotechnicians and is approved by the college's industry-based Biotechnology Advisory Committee and the State of Washington. Classes in the program include cell biology, microbiology, genetics, immunology, chemistry, computer science applications, technical writing, applied mathematics, and hands-on training in biotechnology laboratory techniques and media and solution preparation.
University of California, Irvine -- The Medical Product Development Certificate Program is designed for engineers, scientists, regulatory professionals, managers, physicians, and marketing and sales professionals involved in the medical product industry (degreed professionals or those with an associate degree). The Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology (CLS/MT) Training Program is a full-time, one-year educational program that leads to a career in diagnostic laboratory medicine. UC Irvine Extension's program is designed to fill the growing need for professional learning that ensures designing and implementing clinical trials for success. The Medical Product Development program is designed to meet the need for comprehensive professional learning in the successful design, development and delivery of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and other biomedical products.
University of Hawaii Community Colleges, Kapi'olani Community College -- Programs of Study include Medical Assisting, Medical Laboratory Technician, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Radiologic Technology, Physical Therapy Assistant, and Respiratory Care Technician. The Nursing program offerings include Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse Transition Program.
San Diego State University Department of Biology: Certificate in Biotechnology -- San Diego State's biotechnology training program is designed to introduce undergraduate, post baccalaureate, and postdoctoral students and technicians to state-of-the-art techniques used in molecular biological research laboratories as well as to qualify certificate recipients for employment in various sectors of the biotechnological arena.
University of California, Santa Cruz -- Certificate Program in Biotechnology, Applied and Natural Sciences Department -- UCSC Extension's highly regarded Biotechnology Certificate Program was developed to meet the industry's need for professionals who are knowledgeable about core principles and up-to-date on the latest technologies. Whether you are a scientist or a motivated professional from another discipline (IT, engineering, business, legal, financial, project management, and regulatory), this program is designed to help you to develop the solid scientific foundation and industry savvy needed to advance your career in the biopharmaceutical arena.
Certificate Contact: Applied and Natural Sciences Department, (408) 861-3860, or e-mail program@ucsc-extension.edu
University of Rhode Island Certificate Programs -- Biotechnology Training Initiative Courses and Seminars -- Short courses and seminars ranging from half day to four full days are offered in various areas of operations and management of biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and clinical trials as well as basic areas of related research. Courses vary each semester and have included offerings in Tangential Flow Filtration (lecture and laboratory workshops); Environmental Health & Safety Challenges in Biotechnology and Emerging Industries; Genomics and Proteomics; Tools of Biotechnology; Survey of Systems Biology; and various Good Practices Courses such as Good Clinical Practice, Investigator Clinical Practice Training Program course, SOP Writing Skills (Basic and Improve), and Technical Writing.
*University of San Francisco -- Certificate in Biomedical Engineering -- Biomedical Engineering is a highly interdisciplinary field where basic engineering principles are applied to problems in the biomedical sciences. Typical specific areas of interest include: understanding basic biochemical and physiological processes, designing and analyzing medical diagnostics and procedures, evaluation and design of health care systems and facilities, design and valuation of prosthetic devices, an general biomedical product development. The College of Engineering offers an undergraduate Enhancement Certificate in Biomedical Engineering. There are two main purposes for the certificate program 1) to accommodate students interested in entering medical school following graduation (this program satisfies most of the typical minimal admission standards for medical school); and 2) to prepare students for graduate education program, drawing from all engineering disciplines, biology, physical sciences, biomedical and clinical sciences. Undergraduate students anticipating graduate studies in the bioengineering area (or related fields such as medicine) are strongly encouraged to gain research experience as part of their program. Research possibilities exist in Engineering, the Health Sciences Center, Public Health, and Arts and Sciences.
The Certificate in Biomedical Engineering provides students an opportunity to get an introduction to a rapidly developing field of study and to receive recognition for their endeavors. Students in the program must fulfill all the requirements for an Engineering undergraduate degree, such as Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and also meet the additional requirements of the Certificate program.
University of Virginia, Biotechnology Associate Degree Program -- PVCC offers a two- year associate degree in biotechnology. This program provides PVCC students with the education and training needed to perform selected activities in a research laboratory. By successfully completing this biotechnology curriculum, students will develop the skills necessary to be competitive for laboratory specialist positions at the University of Virginia and for other lab research positions at biotech companies. This program was developed in response to a demonstrated need for additional laboratory specialists at UVA.
Workforce Alliance Biotechnology Training Grant -- The regional workforce investment board for Palm Beach County, Florida has developed a Biotech career ladder with course curriculum for certificate programs and plans to continue the development of a BS to MS program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology based on coursework in advanced lab techniques. The program is designed to create Biotech career opportunities for participants living in the Treasure Coast.
* New Adds
Distance Education
The Johns Hopkins Biotechnology Distance Education -- The Johns Hopkins MS in Biotechnology offers a wide range of online courses that can conveniently fit into your schedule. Designed for busy bioscience professionals, the online courses provide in-depth coverage of theoretical, applied, and specialized subjects and are taught by expert faculty from academia, the private sector, and the government.
Additional Online Training, Certificate and Distance Learning Programs
Such websites as California Virtual Campus (http://www.cvc.edu/) are also offering training and certifcate programs. The California Virtual Campus site is designed for those who want to further their educational objectives by linking to online courses and other services offered by the golden state's colleges and universities. Many colleges and universities in other states are also offering Distance and Online E-Learning Certificate and Training Programs.
The newly updated Medical Device Industry Job Guide provides detailed information you can use in your job search. More important, the publication provides detailed information about job openings, contacts and application procedures.
