Biotechnology - Health

Description

Upon graduating from the Biotechnology - Health program, you are prepared for a career in biotechnology, a high-tech trade that spans many employment sectors. You develop technical and knowledge-based skills through comprehensive experiential learning, as you are exposed to a variety of experimental techniques using cutting-edge scientific equipment across disciplines including microbiology, molecular biology, tissue culture, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and pharmaceutical biotechnology. Throughout the program, you explore current topics in the field and research potential biotechnology applications to address them. In accordance with accepted industry standards, you learn to collect, document, analyze, and present your lab and experimental data. Completion of a micro-credential in Changemaking and Social Entrepreneurism helps you to recognize opportunities in biotechnology and become serial problem solvers. Throughout the program, you are supported in the development of a living resumé as you expand your skillsets and create professional networks.  

Career Opportunities

Graduates contribute to setting up and running laboratory-based tests and analyses and to support the smooth day-to-day operation of a lab. Potential employment opportunities exist for graduates as bench scientists, lab assistants, quality control/assurance technicians, and performance of technical roles specific to employers. Potential employers are varied and may include public, and private sector industries such as pharmaceutical, cannabis production, as well as academic and clinical institutions.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. complete all tasks in compliance with pertinent legislation and regulations, as well as biotechnology standards and guidelines;
2. apply quality control and quality assurance procedures to meet organizational standards and requirements;
3. apply best practices for sustainability;
4. complete biotechnological applications using principles of chemistry, biology and biostatistics as well as basic principles of physics;
5. use appropriate laboratory procedures to carry out quantitative and qualitative tests and analyses;
6. carry out standard cell culture procedures under aseptic conditions;
7. carry out molecular biology procedures;
8. assist with the management of biological data to support biological scientists and researchers in capturing, organizing/summarizing and storing their data;
9. prepare, maintain and communicate scientific data effectively;
10. develop and present a strategic plan for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance;
11. identify problems related to health and medicine and research possible solutions provided by biotechnology;
12. apply basic entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new opportunities in biotechnology.

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026
• Sem 3: Fall 2026
• Sem 4: Winter 2027

Summer Intake

• Sem 1: Summer 2026
• Sem 2: Fall 2026
• Sem 3: Summer 2027
• Sem 4: Fall 2027

Articulation

A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program co-ordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option. Additional information can be found on our website at http://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U)
• Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Graduation Requirements

21 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester unless otherwise stated on the course outline.

Program Tracking

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
BIOL 1031	Human Physiology 1	56
BIOL 1042	Cell Biology 1	42
BIOL 1043	Introduction to Biotechnology	28
CHEM 1013	Introduction to Measurement	56
CHEM 1014	Chemistry for Biotechnology 1	70
MATH 1044	Mathematics for Biotechnology	42
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
	Hours	336
Semester 2
Program Courses
STAT 1001	Statistics	28
BIOL 1032	Human Physiology 2	56
BIOL 1039	Introduction to Molecular and Biochemical Techniques	56
BIOL 2012	Microbiology	56
CHEM 1012	Chemistry for Biotechnology 2	56
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
	Hours	336
Semester 3
Program Courses
BIOL 2021	Advanced Microbiology and Immunology	56
BIOL 2022	Biochemistry 1	42
BIOL 2013	Molecular Techniques	56
CHEM 2004	Organic Chemistry	56
CHEM 2005	Analytical Chemistry	56
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
	Hours	308
Semester 4
Program Courses
BIOL 2014	Pharmaceutical Biotechnology	56
BIOL 2023	Tissue Culture and Histology	70
BIOL 2024	Mendelian and Molecular Genetics	56
BIOL 2025	Protein Science	70
BIOL 2026	Current Topics in Biotechnology	28
General Education Courses
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
	Hours	322
	Total Hours	1302

Graduation Window 

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of two years (as stated above) may take a maximum of four years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.