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.
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.
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.
Career Outlook
- Quality assurance technician
- Microbiology lab technician
- Chemist – calibration
- Sterile specialist
- Analytical chemist/microbiologist
- Microbiology laboratory analyst
- QC raw material analyst
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
Bachelor of Science Post Diploma with Majors in Applied Math / Computing Information Systems / Human Science
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 Completion Program
Guelph, University of
Honours Bachelor of Science – Biological Sciences
Honours Bachelor of Science – Biochemistry
Honours Bachelor of Science – Molecular Biology and Genetics
Honours 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
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 Management
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
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial College English Skills Assessment for Admission
- Grade 11 Mathematics (M or U) or Grade 12 (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take a Centennial College Engineering Math Skills Assessment for Admission
Additional Requirements
Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please apply at the Employment Training Centre (Progress Campus). The Better Jobs Ontario Program is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $95 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
International Students
Apply directly to Centennial College here.
2. Submit Documents
Domestic Applicants
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Domestic applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS). For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Complete all tasks in compliance with pertinent legislation and regulations, as well as biotechnology standards and guidelines.
- Apply quality control and quality assurance procedures to meet organizational standards and requirements.
- Apply best practices for sustainability.
- Complete biotechnological applications using principles of chemistry, biology and biostatistics as well as basic principles of physics.
- Use appropriate laboratory procedures to carry out quantitative and qualitative tests and analyses.
- Carry out standard cell culture procedures under aseptic conditions.
- Carry out molecular biology procedures.
- Assist with the management of biological data to support biological scientists and researchers in capturing, organizing/summarizing and storing their data.
- Prepare, maintain and communicate scientific data effectively.
- Develop and present a strategic plan for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance.
Co-op gives you real-world, related work experience while you are a Centennial College student. It helps you decide what kind of job you will want, helps you pay for your college education and increases your chances of getting a good job (with a higher salary) as a graduate. Learn how to take advantage of this exciting opportunity
More Info:centennialcollege.ca/student-life/career-services-and-co-operative-education/co-op-education-at-centennial/co-op-for-students