Course Number: BIOSC 101 
Theory and Practice of Microscopy
Units: 6
Class:  4 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory
Acceptable for credit: CSU
Description: Comprehensive survey of cutting-edge biological microscopy, including brightfield, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy. Exploration of careers in biotech, research, and biomedical sciences. Fundamentals of lab safety and industrial and biomedical quality control. Exploration of bioethics. Laboratory includes extensive hands-on experience with digital brightfield, phase and epifluorescence microscopes, plus basics of specimen
preparation and digital image processing.

Course Number: BIOSC 102
Fluorescence Microscopy and Specimen Prep 
Units: 6
Class:  4 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory
Acceptable for credit: CSU
Description: Fundamentals of theory of optical microscopy as applied to image optimization, troubleshooting and experimental design. Basics of specimen preparation for microscopy, including tissue culture, indirect immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, histotechnology and histotechnological stains. Laboratory includes: project-based learning with digital microscopes, including DIC, phase, darkfield and wide field fluorescence; mammalian cell culture and asceptic technique; specimen preparation, including immunofluorescence and H&E staining.

Course Number: BIOSC 103
Confocal Microscopy and Research Design
Units: 6
Class:  4 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory
Pre-requisite: Biosc 101
Acceptable for credit: CSU
Description: Advanced, in depth exploration of theory and practice of fluorescence microscopy techniques including epifluorescence, confocal microscopy, deconvolution, multi photon, FRAP, FCS, FLIM, and FRET, superresolution, lightsheet, and other emerging technologies; image optimization and advanced troubleshooting; live imaging techniques and considerations; quantitative microscopy and morphometry. Introduction to experimental design, including investigation and development of a research question. Lab includes use of all major brands of advanced microscopes; post-acquisition processing performed on multiple software platforms; extensive hands-on training on all majors brands motorized widefield DIC and epifluorescence imaging systems, two spectral Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopes, Spinning Disc Confocal and Laser Scanning Dissecting Microscope.

Course Number: BIOSC 104
 Bioscience Practicum Research
Units: 6
Class:  4 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory
Pre-requisite: Biosc 101
Acceptable for credit: CSU
Description: Development and implementation of an individual research project including: development of a research question and written experimental plan; literature searches and other research tools; critique of published research; implementation of research plan using lab resources including motorized widefield fluorescence and confocal microscopes; data analysis; troubleshooting and redesign of experimental plan; written and oral presentation of results and conclusions.

Course Number: BIOSC 9
General Histology 
Units: 5
Class:  4 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory
Pre-requisite: Biol 1A or 2 or 10 or 20A or 24
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC (Pending)
Description: Survey of plant and animal histology with an emphasis on human histology: Overview of cells, cellular organelles; plant, animal, and human tissues and relationship to organ system.  0430.00

Course Number: BIOSC 30
Genomics Theory
Units: 4
Class:  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Pre-requisite: Biol 10 or equivalent
Acceptable for credit: CSU
Description: Introduction to genetics and genomic technologies: Principles of genetics and data collection (DNA and RNA structure, mitochondrial DNA, nucleic acid replication, protein synthesis, mitosis-meiosis, Mendelian principles, mutation, molecular character alignment, evolution and phylogenetic reconstruction), combined with data handling (bioinformatics mining using GenBank data), and scientific writing; includes guest speakers and on- site tours of genomics institutions and labs.  0430.00

Course Number: BIOSC 55
Beginning Histotechniques
Units: 5
Class:  3 hour lecture, 3 hour lab (GR or P/NP)
Co-requisite/Prerequisites: Biosc 9
Description: Introductory theory and practice in staining and cutting of histological samples.

Course Number: BIOSC 56
Advanced Histotechniques
Units: 4
Class:  3 hour lecture, 2 hour lab
Prerequisites: Biosci 55
Description: Building on the theory and practice taught in Bioscience 55, advanced theory and staining and cutting of histological samples.

Course Number: BIOSC 57
Advanced Immunohistochemistry
Units: 2
Class: 2 hour lecture, 3 hour lab
Description: Advanced theory and practice of immunolabeling of histological samples.

Course Number: COPED 467G
Occupational Work Experience in Histotechnology
Units:
4

 

Also required in the histotechnology program, in order to take the certification exam, and complete this NAACLS approved histotechnology program, the following courses are required and can be taken anytime:

  • Chemistry 30A, Introductory General Chemistry (4 Units) a higher level chemistry course is acceptable
  • Biology 2, Human Anatomy (5 units) AND Biology 4, Human Physiology (5 units)
    OR
    Biology 20A, Human Anatomy & Physiology (5 units)
    AND
    Biology 20B, Human Anatomy & Physiology (5 units)
  • Biology 3, Microbiology (5 units)