- DIPLOMA IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
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Centennial College's Biotechnology program will prepare you to work as a laboratory technician (in quality control and quality assurance) in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Biotechnology courses will provide practical application in industrial microbiology as well as chemistry (analytical), organic chemistry and biochemistry. Laboratory techniques, including appropriate safety procedures, will be extensively highlighted.
A special feature of this applied science program is its project-based approach, with independently-designed microbiology projects that will enhance your problem-solving and research skills.
You'll learn to:
- Isolate, enumerate and identify microorganisms from many types of samples (water, soil, air, the body, food, and pharmaceutical and cosmetic products);
- Prepare specimens for staining and become an expert light-microscopist;
- Become proficient in aseptic handling of materials;
- Accurately calibrate and use a range of instruments such as pH and BOD meters, gas chromatographs, spectrophotometers (regular/IR/UV) and HPLCs;
- Prepare microbiological media and reagents and culture pathogenic microbes;
- Design and perform your own microbiology experiments;
- Use microorganisms to assay pharmaceutical products.
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You may graduate in two years as a biotechnician or continue into a third year to study specialized topics such as advanced biotechnology and microbial genetics or systematic microbiology. With the third year of study, you'll graduate from the Biotechnology – Advanced offering.
Awards: The Biotechnology program is a repeat recipient of the Centennial College President's Academic Program Recognition Award for Outstanding Student Satisfaction.
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Career Options and Education Pathways
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Companies Offering Jobs
Organizations that have hired past Biotechnology graduates include: Kisko Products, Hermann Laue Spice Company, Apotex Inc., Agropur - Divisional Natrel, Mill Street Brewery, Maxxam Analytics, Campbell Soup Company, bioMerieux, Griffith Laboratories, Cosmetica Laboratories Inc.
Program Highlights
- Eight up-to-date laboratories and modern wireless lecture facilities housed at the college's Morningside Campus enhance your learning.
- Thorough laboratory training, from the basics to professional skills, is provided, encouraging and developing teamwork skills.
- Qualified and caring faculty and staff provide individual attention in laboratory sessions.
- Training in Occupational Health and Safety, WHMIS, GMP, HACCP is to industry standards.
- There is a high program graduation rate and high rates of student satisfaction.
- Qualified graduates may apply to enter the third year of the Biotechnology -
Advanced program.
- The Biotechnology, Environmental Technology and Food Science Technology programs share a common first year, which provides the flexibility to transfer between these programs before entering the second year.
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Career Outlook
- Quality assurance technician
- Microbiology lab technician
- Chemist – calibration
- Sterile specialist
- Analytical chemist/microbiologist
- Microbiology laboratory analyst
- QC raw material analyst
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OACETT
The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) recognizes this TAC nationally-accredited program as meeting the academic standard for certification in the Certified Technician (C.Tech.) category as well as the OACETT language benchmark requirement.
Accreditation
This program has met the national educational standards of Canada’s engineering technology and applied science profession, as such, has received national program accreditation by Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC).
- Please note: The qualification requirements and costs for each external accreditation, designation, certification or recognition are set by the granting body — not by Centennial College. In order to qualify for any external accreditations, designations, certifications or recognition, students and graduates will need to follow the processes and meet the applicable requirements listed on the websites and in the materials of those external bodies.
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Areas of Employment
Graduates typically start their careers as quality control technicians in a broad range of industries (food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals) and also in related government agencies.
Education Pathways
Successful graduates of the Biotechnology Diploma program have the opportunity to apply their credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are the degrees from partnering institutions that are available for this program.
Please note that each partner pathway has a specific minimum grade requirement in order to qualify for transferring credits, which are assessed by the partner institution.
| Partner Institution |
Degree Program |
| Algoma University |
Honours Bachelor of Arts - multiple majors |
| Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting or Human Resources Management or Marketing |
| Bachelor of Science - multiple majors |
| Bachelor of Computer Science - multiple majors |
| Athabasca University |
Bachelor of Science Post Diploma with Majors -
- Applied Math
- Computing Information Systems
- Human Science
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| Brock University |
Honours Bachelor of Science in Computer Studies - multiple majors |
| Honours Bachelor of Science in Core Sciences - multiple majors |
| Honours Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology |
| Honours Bachelor of Science - Mathematics and Statistics |
| Davenport University |
Bachelor of Science - Health Services Administration |
| Guelph, University of |
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences |
| Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry |
| Bachelor of Science - Molecular Biology and Genetics |
| Bachelor of Science - Microbiology |
| Lakehead University |
Bachelor or Honours Degree - multiple majors |
| Honours Bachelor of Science - Applied Bio-Molecular Science |
| Honours Bachelor of Science - Applied Life Sciences major |
| Laurentian University |
Bachelor of Arts |
| Ontario Tech University (UOIT) |
Honours Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies and Digital Technology |
| Honours Bachelor of Science - Biological Science |
| Royal Roads University |
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science |
| Bachelor of Science - Environmental Practice |
| Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Practice |
| Seneca College |
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies |
| Wilfrid Laurier University - Brantford Campus |
Honours Bachelor of Arts |
| York University |
Honours Bachelor degree in any major |
| Honours Computer Science |
| Honours Environmental Studies |
| Honours Science - Chemistry |
| Bachelor of Science - multiple majors |
Please visit our website at www.centennialcollege.ca/admissions/applying/education-pathways/outbound-pathways for more information on articulation agreements.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please view ONCAT.
Educational Partners
Please visit our website at www.centennialcollege.ca/admissions/applying/education-pathways/outbound-pathways for more information on education partners.
Recognitions
Luther College
Northeastern University, To...
Technical University of Bri...
Redeemer University
Waterloo Lutheran Seminary
Mount Allison University.
