UC Irvine Extension Adds Online Element to Medical Product Development & Clinical Trials Certificate Programs

Professionals Across the Nation Have Access to Experts in One of Nation’s Largest Biotechnology and Biomedical Hubs

IRVINE, Calif. – March 29, 2005 – UC Irvine Extension has enhanced its Medical Product Development and Clinical Trials Certificate Programs, opening access for biomedical professionals nationwide and internationally to participate through a new online element.  The added e-learning option is in response to the growing academic needs of the largely populated Orange County biotechnology and biomedical community as well as professionals nationwide seeking the latest industry knowledge from the convenience of their home or work office.

 As one of the nation’s leading institutions offering these two certificate programs, UC Irvine Extension allows professionals to maintain a competitive edge on a variety of issues ranging from gaining FDA approval on new medicines, to leveraging new technologies and developing medical products to help diagnose complex diseases. The program targets professionals of all levels including: clinical research associates, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, biomedical scientists and researchers, regulatory affairs professionals and more.

“Professionals in the medical product development and clinical trials fields must continually seek new knowledge to stay at the forefront of medical technology and increased global harmonization of compliance standards,” Rogelio C. Rodriguez, director of engineering and science programs for UC Irvine Extension, said. “By expanding our online courses, we’re able to provide education to professionals across the nation who may not otherwise have access to this caliber of training in their communities.”

The Medical Product Development Certificate Program offers a comprehensive body of knowledge in medical device compliance, design and development. Summer courses include Medical Device Risk Management, Medical Product Crisis Management, Medical Device Design and Evaluation and Software-Controlled Medical Devices: Software Engineering. UC Irvine Extension is expanding its online course offerings to allow professionals nationally and internationally to have access to the latest on regulatory information. Two courses, Regulatory Requirements for Medical Devices and Medical Product Quality Systems, will both be offered in an online format and begin July 11.

"Certificate courses teach practical, high-value skills which otherwise take years of work experience to develop,” said Hal Heitzmann, Ph.D., engineering manager at Edwards Lifesciences. “The certificate programs are designed to prepare individuals to become leaders in the medical device field."

The Clinical Trials Certificate Program provides practical and applied knowledge in the design and management of clinical trials to verify new product effectiveness and safety.  Summer courses include Application of Good Clinical Practices (GCPs), Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Clinical Studies, Clinical Date Management and Implementation of Statistics in Clinical Trials. Summer programs for the Medical Product Development and Clinical Trials begin as early as June 24 and have various start dates.

Registration is recommended one week prior to course start dates. For more information or to enroll for the Medical Development and Clinical Trials certificate programs, please log onto www.unex.uci.edu or call (949) 824-5414. Professionals have the option of taking individual courses or completing the full program.

As the continuing education arm of UCI, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a university-level learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and community programs to support a diverse audience, from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus activities. For more information about UC Irvine Extension visit www.extension.uci.edu.