Program Objectives
Biotechnology encompasses a wide field of studies including chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and genetic engineering, cell biology, molecular biology, analytical instrumentation, and biochemical engineering.
The program is designed to prepare students as biotechnology technicians through the familiarization with scientific methods and experimental techniques, in accordance with accepted principles of quality assurance and manufacturing.
The first academic semester is common with the Environmental Technician program of studies, followed by three semesters focusing on specialized courses relating to manufacturing, and laboratory quantitative and qualitative analyses in the field of biotechnology.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may seek entry level positions in public or private laboratories as laboratory assistants or as technicians in manufacturing facilities. These laboratories may be found in pharmaceutical companies, food processing industries, agricultural product industries, companies involved in plant or livestock genetic engineering, or in environmental engineering companies.
Program Recognition
The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Technician (CTech) category. Graduates and final year students are immediately eligible to be registered as Associate members of OACETT upon submission of the Graduate Application form available through OACETT. Additional requirements to become fully certified (work experience, the OACETT Professional Practice Examination, peer references, etc.) will be requested once the application has been received. Requirements for certification are the jurisdiction of OACETT.