The life sciences industry is fueled by exciting, cutting-edge science and technology. However the task of translating new technologies and discoveries into cures, therapies, diagnostics, and medical devices is not straightforward. The realities of process and product development within this highly regulated business environment require that employees have industry-specific skills and expertise. As a result, life science industry professionals need to stay up to date and gain expertise in regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and project management, among many other industry-specific topics.
To better publicize biotechnology programs and timely industry-specific courses, the California State University (CSU) has gathered information here about relevant degree programs and courses offered at CSU campuses. We will feature programs that pertain to current life sciences industry workforce needs, as reported by industry partners and associations.
We hope this information and 'one-stop' website is useful to human resources directors looking for programs to enhance employee career development, working professionals searching for courses to augment their skills and knowledge, students and new graduates who want to learn more about careers in this exciting industry and faculty and administrators planning new programs to address life sciences workforce needs.
The new Biotechnology Project Management Certificate in Quality Assurance bundles four credit-bearing, online courses offered by CSU Channel Islands, CSU Dominguez Hills, and San Diego State University. The remaining course in Project Management being offered by CSU Channel Islands will start in late July. Click here 
to register.
Have some time this summer to learn about "Entrepreneurship in the Life Sciences"? San Diego State University is offering a short course (half days, July 19-29, $300) for anyone who might be interested in starting a new life sciences company someday (including recent graduates and scientists in the industry). If interested, email Julie Scalisi (jscalisi@sciences.sdsu.edu) for more information!
San Jose State University, CSU Channel Islands, and CSU San Marcos collaborate to develop the latest online biotechnology curriculum. Click here to learn more.
See the most recent Biocompass Newsletter (February 2010).
The CSU received $2.1M from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support science masters programs at San Diego State University with three other CSU campuses (CSU Chico, CSU East Bay and San Jose State University), at San Francisco State University and at Humboldt State University. Click here to see the press release.
CSU Fullerton received $2.1 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration to continue to oversee the SBA’s regional small-business development network for Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. For more information visit the press release .
San Diego State University and San Jose State University receive a combined $10M from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). See the press release to learn more.
Biocompass has been piloted by CSU campus presidents in the Los Angeles (L.A.) region as a private-public partnership involving the eight CSU campuses in the greater L.A. region, the Southern California Biomedical Council (SoCalBio), the Pasadena Bioscience Collaborative and the L.A./Orange County Biotech Center at Pasadena City College. This year Biocompass projects include the development of this website and two new certificate programs in Biotechnology Project Management.
