Optical Microscopy
Certificate of Achievement Bioscience · Merritt College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Program Description
The 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.
Career Opportunities
Career 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).
Learning Outcome(s)
- Confidently acquire digital images on a variety of research-level optical microscopes, including phase, DIC, and widefield epifluorescence.
- Operate diverse microscopy software programs.
- Prepare brightfield specimens for optical microscopy.
- Execute basic cell and molecular biology lab techniques, including aseptic technique, following good lab practices.
- Identify areas of the biotech industry that are relevant to their chosen career pathways.