Centennial College's Biotechnology - Advanced Fast-Track program sees qualified college or university graduates gain direct admission into Year 2 (Semester 3) of the three-year Biotechnology program and receive their technologist advanced diploma in two years (four semesters).
In the Biotechnology - Advanced (Fast Track) courses, you'll learn the scientific principles, techniques and skills to work in industrial microbiology and chemistry. Specialized study in biotechnology applications, biochemistry, microbial genetics, and clinical and environmental microbiology will also be included.
Your opportunity to understand theory and gain technical practice will be combined with many opportunities for you to enhance your experience. Additionally, project work, in consultation with faculty, will help you to further develop your skills in research, laboratory techniques, report writing and presentation.
You'll learn to:
- Perfect your aseptic techniques;
- Isolate, enumerate and identify microorganisms from many types of samples (the human body, water, soil, air, food, and pharmaceutical and cosmetic products);
- Accurately calibrate and use a range of instruments such as pH and BOD meters, gas chromatographs, spectrophotometers (regular/IR/UV), HPLCs, centrifuges, PCR thermocyclers and gel electrophoresis equipment;
- Prepare microbiological media and reagents;
- Culture pathogenic microbes;
- Design and perform advanced microbiology and microbial genetics experiments;
- Use microorganisms to assay pharmaceutical products.
Career Outlook
- Quality control technologist
- Microbiologist/scientist
- Production and research scientist
- Research associate
- Analytical chemist/microbiologist
- Laboratory technologist
- Quality assurance technologist
Education Pathways
Successful graduates of the Biotechnology - Advanced Fast-track program have the opportunity to apply their learning for credits toward further study at the degree level.