Rapid technological advances and increased globalization have spurred government and industry regulations. The changing environment has transformed job and performance expectations for chemists, scientists, technicians, and managers. The quality systems specialization is designed for students to explore concepts and problems in quality assurance and regulatory affairs that span life science industries, thus encouraging a cross-pollination of best practices and systems.

Quality Systems specialization students will have the knowledge they need to sit for the ASQ Six Sigma Green Belt certification exam after completing the degree. ASQ certification increases the potential for a higher salary and demonstrates proficiency in the quality and regulatory science fields.

Curriculum

Core Courses (6 units)

Specialization Courses (4 units)

Cross-Specialization Elective (1 unit)

About the Final Project

Students pursue their capstone experience independently or as part of a team. As their final course, students take either the individual research project in an independent study format or the classroom final course in which students integrate the knowledge they have gained in the core curriculum in work assigned by the instructor. In both cases, students are guided by faculty in exploring the body of knowledge on regulatory compliance while contributing research of practical value to the field. The capstone independent project and capstone class project count as one unit of credit.