This post-baccalaureate credit certificate program provides students with relevant baccalaureate degrees a broad framework of concepts and practices employed in modern biotechnology industries. With close interactions and partnerships between Cal State LA and local biotechnology companies, students of this program will experience a broad industry-responsive curriculum taught by academic and industrial experts, extensive hands-on biotechnology laboratory skills training, and a focused summer biotechnology industry internship at the end of the academic year. All of these are designed to prepare and facilitate our students for employment and career advancement in the biotechnology sector. Courses taken to fulfill certificate requirements may also be applied toward the Master of Science degree in biology. The program has been approved as a Gainful Employment Program by the Department of Education. This means that eligible students can apply for Federal Financial Aid to support them during the year that they are in the program.

The certificate program requires completion of a minimum of 18  units, taken in postbaccalaureate or graduate standing, of which 12 units  are in required courses and 6 units or more are in electives. Refer to Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Studies: General Information  for general information governing all certificate programs.

Admission to the Program

• Application to the Department of Biological Sciences and the University is required. Acceptance by the University to post-baccalaureate status; Baccalaureate degree in a biological or related sciences, such as biochemistry, biology, physics, medical technology, or microbiology, which is equivalent to the Bachelor of Science degree offered at Cal State LA.
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 in last 90 quarter or 60 semester units attempted;
• Completion with a B (3.0) grade or higher, in any one of the following upper level undergraduate  courses or their equivalents:
  • Cell Biology (e.g., BIOL 3400 )
  • General Genetics (e.g., BIOL 3400 )
  • Microbial Genetics (e.g., MICR 3300 )
  • Biochemistry (e.g., CHEM 4310 )

U.S. Department of Education
Gainful Employment Disclosure  

Notice to Students Regarding Professional Licensure and Certification