Fluorescence bioscience Microscopy

The Fluorescence Bioscience Microscopy certificate program prepares students for entry- and mid-level jobs in bioscience imaging, research and microscopy, including in the biotech industry.

Biosci 103 and Biosci 104 are new courses, so we do not have historic data on them. However, the Merritt

Bioscience Department has an enrollment of 510 students, by census, in 2016-2017 and 474 in 2017-2018. The MMP courses overall have historically had completion rates in the mid to high 90s and the advanced courses that Biosci 103 and 104 replace have completion rates of 100% (and courses sizes varying from 10-15 students). We project an enrollment of 10-15 students for each course, which, however, will be taught in conjunction with the larger courses of the Certificate of Optical Microscopy (Biosci 101 and 102) and completion rates of over 95%.

The mission of the Merritt Microscopy Program is to provide access to fulfilling, well remunerated jobs in the biotech and biomedical industry, with a focus on increasing diversity in science.

The Fluorescence Bioscience Microscopy Certificate of Achievement is stackable onto the Optical Microscopy Certificate of Achievement. The Fluorescence Bioscience Microscopy Certificate of Achievement includes extensive hands-on training in motorized imaging systems, and in confocal microscopy, with a focus on experimental design and biological research. This Certificate is optimal for students who are seeking mid-level jobs in the biotech and biomedical industry (including as Research Associates), for students seeking to transfer to a 4 year college or professional schools, and for students already employed in the biotech and biomedical fields who wish to advance their professional imaging and research skills.

The program level objectives are as follows (as mapped to the related course SLOs).

1. Acquire digital images on a variety of research-level digital optical microscopes, including motorized wide field fluorescence systems, a spectral imaging confocal and a spinning disk confocal.

BIOSC 103 - Confocal Microscopy and Research Design

Operate and troubleshoot advanced motorized microscopy systems, including confocals.

2. Master diverse microscopy software programs for all four main brands of research optical microscopes.

BIOSC 103 - Confocal Microscopy and Research Design

Operate and troubleshoot advanced motorized microscopy systems, including confocals.

3. Design experiments, critically analyze data, and report results.

BIOSC 103 - Confocal Microscopy and Research Design

Develop a practicum level research proposal

BIOSC 104 - Bioscience Practicum Research

Develop, implement and analyze a scientific research project.

Demonstrate appropriate scientific writing and presentation techniques.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
Bioci 103	Confocal Microscopy and Research	6	FY1
Biosci 104	Bioscience Practicum Research	6	FYI2

Student must complete Biosci 103 and 104 with a "C" grade. 

This program will provide employment after two semesters of study.

The Fluorescence Bioscience Microscopy Certificate is the only such program in our region. These skills are very cutting-edge and access to training is otherwise only available to graduate students at elite institutions, although they are skills that are needed in entry and mid-level technician jobs. We are a specialized program in the biotech arena and have strong relationships and support from all the other biotech programs in the Bay Area, including those at Laney College, Berkeley City College, Ohlone College, Contra Costa College, Solano College, San Francisco City College, and Skyline College.