Biotechnology - Advanced (Fast-Track) (Optional Co-op)
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code3622
- Credential NameBiotechnology - Advanced
- Credential TypeOntario College Advanced Diploma
- SchoolSchool of Engineering Technology and Applied Science
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length2 years/ 4 semesters
- Delivery ModeHybrid
- LocationMorningside Campus
- Emailabes@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- Co-op Option
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Advising
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 meters, gas chromatographs, spectrophotometers (IR and UV-Vis), 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.
Program Overview
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 meters, gas chromatographs, spectrophotometers (IR and UV-Vis), 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.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Companies Offering Jobs
Mill Street Brewery, Apotex Inc., Agropur - Divisional Natrel, Griffith Laboratories, Maxxam Analytics, Campbell Soup Company, bioMerieux, Kisko Products, Cosmetica Laboratories Inc., Hermann Laue Spice Company
Program Highlights
- You learn from experienced Biotechnology instructors who make themselves available for one-on-one time.
- You gain hands-on experience performing activities that are commonly encountered in the field.
- 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.
- Training in Occupational Health and Safety, WHMIS, GMP, HACCP is to industry standards.
- 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.
- You complete a three-year program in two years.
Career Outlook
- Quality control technologist
- Microbiologist/scientist
- Production and research scientist
- Research associate
- Analytical chemist/microbiologist
- Laboratory technologist
- Quality assurance technologist
Education Pathways
Graduates of this Biotechnology - Advanced (Fast-track) advanced diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are institutions offering pathways for this program.
Please note that each receiving institution has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving institution.
| Region | Institution |
|---|---|
| Toronto GTA | Seneca Polytechnic |
| York University | |
| Ontario | Algoma University |
| Lakehead University | |
| Nipissing University | |
| Ontario Tech University | |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | |
| Canada | Royal Roads University |
For more detailed pathways information, visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/.
Use the following Education Pathways Checklist as a guide as you explore your options.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Educational Partners
Please visit our website at www.centennialcollege.ca/admissions/applying/education-pathways/outbound-pathways for more information on education partners.
Recognitions
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 Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) category as well as the OACETT technology report and language benchmark requirements.
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.
Areas of Employment
Areas of EmploymentAdmission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Degree or three-year college diploma in chemistry/biology, engineering, or related discipline
Additional Requirements
- Transcript review
- Centennial English Admission Test
- English language proficiency
Co-op Option
The co-op option in this program will provide you with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while you complete two co-op work term as an employee in the field. This experience not only allows you to put classroom learning into practice, but will also provide valuable contacts for your future career.
To participate in this co-op option, you will need to complete an application process in semester 1. If academically qualified, you may be admitted to the co-op program. Academically qualified students who are accepted into the program will register for the co-op preparation course as scheduled.
Co-op Requirements
- Minimum of 80% of courses completed from semester one
- Completion of COMM160/161 by the end of semester 1 with a C grade (60%) or higher
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (this must be maintained for the duration of the program)
- Students must be legally eligible to work in Canada
- Students who meet the above prerequisites will submit their application for co-op to the Career Services & Cooperative Education Department in semester 1
Note: Meeting the minimum co-op program requirements does not guarantee admission into the co-op program.
Co-op Model Route
| Fall Semester Intake | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Semester 1 |
| Winter | Semester 2 |
| Summer | Co-op Work Term 1 |
| Fall | Co-op Work Term 2 |
| Winter | Semester 3 |
| Summer | Break |
| Fall | Semester 4 |
| Winter Semester Intake | |
|---|---|
| Winter | Semester 1 |
| Summer | Semester 2 |
| Fall | Co-op Work Term 1 |
| Winter | Semester 3 |
| Summer | Co-op Work Term 2 |
| Fall | Semester 4 |
| Summer Semester Intake | |
|---|---|
| Summer | Semester 1 |
| Fall | Semester 2 |
| Winter | Co-op Work Term 1 |
| Summer | Co-op Work Term 2 |
| Fall | Semester 3 |
| Winter | Semester 4 |
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please work with an Employment Ontario service provider. 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 $150 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.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2025.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $2,721.00 | $1,495.33 | $4,216.33 |
| International | $18,254.00 | $1,993.28 | $20,247.28 |
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
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.
Phyllis Sears, Biotechnology, GraduateMy time studying at Centennial College proved extremely helpful in developing my skills academically and socially. I studied in the Biotechnology Advanced co-op program. which provided me with a wide range of essential laboratory techniques and practices. After completing a one-year co-op at a pharmaceutical company, I was offered a full-time job once I graduated. I am now working as a microbiology analyst, and I owe it all to Centennial College.
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