{
  "college": "merritt-college",
  "edition": "2026-2027",
  "departmentName": "Bioscience",
  "id": "optical-microscopy-certificate-of-achievement",
  "name": "Optical Microscopy",
  "award": "Certificate of Achievement",
  "department": "bioscience",
  "sourceUrl": "https://mc.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/48441/48769/49120/49121/49126/49201/49204",
  "blocks": [
    {
      "kind": "text",
      "markdown": "##### Program Description\n\nThe Optical Microscopy Certificate of Achievement program prepares students for entry-level jobs in bioscience microscopy and imaging, including in the biotech industry. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the courses specified below.\n\n##### Career Opportunities\n\nCareer opportunities include employment as a biotech lab assistant in biotech, academic research, and government research, imaging core assistant, imaging equipment and software vendor (field applications, inside sales, technical support).\n\n##### Learning Outcome(s)\n\n1.  Confidently acquire digital images on a variety of research-level optical microscopes, including phase, DIC, and widefield epifluorescence.\n2.  Operate diverse microscopy software programs.\n3.  Prepare brightfield specimens for optical microscopy.\n4.  Execute basic cell and molecular biology lab techniques, including aseptic technique, following good lab practices.\n5.  Identify areas of the biotech industry that are relevant to their chosen career pathways."
    },
    {
      "kind": "courselist",
      "rows": [
        {
          "type": "comment",
          "text": "Required Courses:",
          "units": "12"
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "BIOSC 101",
          "title": "Theory and Practice of Microscopy",
          "units": "6",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "BIOSC 102",
          "title": "Fluorescence Microscopy and Specimen Prep",
          "units": "6",
          "indent": false
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}