Life Science Certificate

The Life Sciences Certificate prepares students for opportunities across a range of life science fields, including laboratory science, biotechnology and biomanufacturing, environmental science, and lab animal care. Through foundational science coursework and a hands-on Science Internship, students gain experience applicable to settings such as cytology, histology, clinical laboratories, environmental laboratories, and manufacturing facilities. The certificate also provides a pathway into further education in Biological Sciences, Lab Animal Care, and Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing at RCC

The Life Sciences Certificate provides a structured pathway into several associate degree and certificate programs at RCC, including Biological Sciences, Lab Animal Care, Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing, Environmental and Ecology, and Engineering. The certificate coursework can transfer directly into these programs, allowing students to build on their Life Sciences coursework as they continue toward an associate degree or specialized certificate.

Upon completion of the Life Sciences Certificate, students will be able to:

• Apply laboratory safety procedures and properly use common laboratory equipment, including microscopes, solutions, and dissection tools.
• Demonstrate foundational knowledge of key biological concepts, including cellular and anatomical structures and their functions in appropriate organisms.
• Apply quantitative and scientific reasoning skills to perform unit conversions, calculate concentrations, dilutions and percentages, and analyze reaction rates and equilibrium.
• Collect, organize and graph data using appropriate tools and technology to support scientific analysis.
• Apply knowledge of biological and chemical principles to understand the natural world and address problems affecting society and individual well-being.
• Demonstrate professional skills including teamwork, time management, effective communication and presentation, and academic and professional integrity.