Stem Cell Technology Certificate

City College of San Francisco

Students who complete the Stem Cell Certificate are eligible to apply for the Stem Cell Internship program. Internships are payed, six-month positions in local companies or academic institutions.

The Stem Cell Technology certificate program is designed to prepare students for a research or clinical cell biology position working with mammalian cells and tissue culture. In the 21C course, specific techniques pertaining to the culture and maintenance of both embryonic and adult stem cells will be learned. Students should have a working knowledge of algebra from previous academic or work experience.

Program Coordinator:

Dr. Carin Zimmerman

Tel: (415) 239-3857

Email: czimmerm@ccsf.edu

Current schedule of classes

Register for classes

There are three entries to this program:

FIRST ENTRY: For students with a college background in biology, chemistry and math. This certificate is designed to be completed in two semesters.

Required courses

BTEC 21A Mammalian Cell Culture (2 units) 6 weeks – 9 hrs/week

BTEC 21B Fluorescent Cell Technology (2 units) 6 weeks – 9 hrs/week

BTEC 21C Stem Cell Technology (3 units) 8 weeks – 9 hrs/week

BTEC 22 Immunoassay: ELISA (1 unit)

BTEC 23 Western Blotting Techniques (1 unit)

BTEC 24 Introduction to PCR (1 unit)

BTEC 25 Analytical PCR Technology (1 unit)

SECOND ENTRY: For students without a science/math college background. Students must acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in biology and chemistry prior to enrollment in Biotechnology/Stem Cell coursework.

For students with a strong math and science high school background. (3+ semesters)

First semester

BIO 11 + Lab Introduction to the Science of Living Organisms (4 units)

or BIO 101A (better)

CHEM 32 Introduction to Medical Chemistry (4 units) or Chem 208A (better)

Second semester

CHEM 40 Introduction to Chemical Principles (4 units) or CHEM 101A (better)

Pre-requisite: MATH 860 or higher or BTEC 108A

BTEC 22 Immunoassay: ELISA (1 unit)

BTEC 24 Introduction to PCR (1 unit)

Third+ semester:

BTEC 21A Mammalian Cell Culture (6 weeks)

BTEC 21B Fluorescent Cell Technology (6 weeks)

BTEC 21C Stem Cell Technology (8 weeks)

BTEC 23 Western Blotting Techniques (1 unit)

BTEC 25 Analytical PCR Technology (1 unit)

THIRD ENTRY: For students with a limited science and math background.

The Bridge to Biotech Laboratory Assistant Program should be completed before enrolling in the regular first semester (second entry) of science coursework. This program successfully prepares students for more rigorous college level coursework; it consists of three courses that form a learning community and must be taken together: BTEC 10, Research Skills for Career Opportunities, BTEC 108A, Practical Math; and BTEC 107 Language Skills for Tech. The Bridge Program is offered at the Mission and Southeast Campuses. For more information, see the Bridge to Biotech Laboratory Assistant Program home page.