Program Description
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, students will 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.
Students' opportunity to understand theory and gain technical practice will be combined with many opportunities for them to enhance their experience. Additionally, project work, in consultation with faculty, will help them to further develop their skills in research, laboratory techniques, report writing and presentation.
Students will learn to:
- Perfect their 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.
