Biotechnology

Cell biology is the basis of Biotechnology. Topics include the fundamental biological, physical and chemical principles of the cell with reference to energy flow, structure and function, anatomy, reproduction, genetics and cell diversity. Through discussion, participation in projects and presentations, learners determine the roles of cells, cell types, functions and interactions.

Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary term that encompasses biological, chemical and physical sciences. In this laboratory-lecture integrated course, students undertake a suite of topics and practical skills that are fundamental to the contemporary Biotechnologist. Learners explore laboratory techniques that reinforce GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), aseptic techniques, good research protocol, collaboration, and documentation. Students learn Basic Laboratory Skills, Microscopy, Molecular Biotechnology, and Tissue Culture. Learners implement a variety of methods in the laboratory to collect and analyse data, maintain an industry standard laboratory notebook, prepare experimental summaries and demonstrate competency in technical skills that are foundational to Biotechnology.

Foundational knowledge of general chemistry principles is vital for performance-based applications in analytical chemistry and quality assurance. Key topics include inorganic chemistry, atomic structure, periodic table, chemical bonding, nomenclature, ionic and covalent compounds, reaction kinetics, stoichiometry, phases of matter, solutions, acids and bases, and associated mathematical operations. Learners implement problem-solving, mathematical calculations, and critical thinking to balance chemical equations to determine the experimental implications.

The handling, manipulation, storage and disposal of chemicals is critical to laboratory safety. Learners practice safety through Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and WHMIS as they utilize and maintain laboratory chemicals, reagents, tools, and operate equipment in order to prepare solutions, perform chemical titrations, generate calibration curves, and perform assays relative to quality assurance QA) and quality control (QC). Students also operate basic laboratory equipment and handle a variety of reagents. Learners implement a variety of methods in the laboratory to collect and analyse data, generate laboratory reports, QA/QC evaluations and practice technical skills that are foundational to Biotechnology.

Technical Communications is a foundational course designed to equip students with the essential skills necessary for effective communication in technical and professional settings. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, students learn various communication strategies, including written, oral, and visual communication techniques tailored specifically for technical contexts.

Laboratory numeracy is essential to all scientific disciplines. Learners examine quantitative laboratory data encompassing calculations with units, scientific notation, dilutions, concentrations, and the interpretation of graphical and statistical information. Learners demonstrate knowledge by applying mathematical equations to solve a variety of lab-based scenarios, analyse information and generate visual interpretations of data.

Plants are integral to Biotechnology. Learners explore plant anatomy and physiology, lab-based techniques including the isolation of explants and establishment of callus and suspension cultures, hydroponic growth, protoplasts and embryo culture, plant engineering techniques for initiating hybrids, GMOs, and nutraceuticals. Discussions, in-class exercises, presentations and summaries evaluate the immense scope of plants in contemporary Biotechnology. Employment opportunities in Plant Biotechnology are investigated through team research projects culminating in a minisymposium and poster presentation.

Bioorganic chemistry is the bridge that unites biological and chemical aspects of Biotechnology. Learners explore the major organic functional groups, nomenclature and important reactions of the organic compounds. The principles of biochemistry include biological chemistry, structure and function of the major constituents of cells including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, the relationships between these molecules, and the metabolic pathways. Learners discuss and implement problem-solving, mathematical calculations, and critical thinking to balance chemical equations, measure metabolic pathways and examine enzyme kinetics in order to determine the experimental implications.

Analytical instrumentation is an essential tool in Biotechnology. The pharmaceutical, food and environmental industries rely heavily on instrumentation techniques for quality monitoring and control of food, drug and water safety . This laboratory-lecture integrated course explores methods in analytical chemistry that are applicable to many laboratory, industry, and research settings. Analytical methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography, mass spectrometry (GC-MS), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), ultraviolet, fluorescence and visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption (AA), and radiological detection methods are discussed in parallel with practical applications experienced in the laboratory. Learners operate a suite of analytical equipment in the laboratory to collect and analyse data, generate laboratory reports, maintain an industry standard laboratory notebook.

The complexity of Biotechnology is further explored, building upon foundational theories, applications, and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). Emphasis on Microscopy, Molecular Biotechnology, and Tissue Culture, provides learners the opportunity to select and implement diverse methods, skills, and analyses used in contemporary Biotechnology. Learners implement various approaches in the laboratory to collect, compare and analyse data, maintain an industry standard laboratory notebook, prepare experimental summaries, write a scientific report and demonstrate competency in technical skills.

Mathematical applications are critical to the success of scientific experimentation in Biotechnology. Learners gain techniques for interpreting problems and translating them into relevant mathematical equations. An emphasis is placed on using basic algebraic and calculus techniques to solve equations and functions as they apply to the scientific field. Learners examine real-world scenarios and apply mathematical formulae to analyse and interpret information, formulate solutions and reagents and present visual interpretations of data.

Biotechnologists must strictly adhere to ethics in a discipline that involves human health and wellbeing, environmental monitoring and food safety. This course promotes responsible and ethical practices for novel technologies in the biological sciences as well as the social responsibility of biotechnological applications in the fields of health care, food and agriculture, industry and the environment. Knowledge is demonstrate as learners examine and dissect various contemporary, controversial bioethical issues related to Biotechnology through independent research, article summaries, opinion reports and a series of debates that include pre-debate opinion summaries, discourse, and post-debate reflections.

Biotechnology is paramount for long-term environmental sustainability through the development of various approaches to monitor and remediate soil and water. Learners examine the fundamentals of environmental science and its relationship with biotechnology. Government regulations, guidelines, and certifications (e.g., Ontario Water/Wastewater Certification Office), and accompanying laboratory operations such as accreditation requirements and sample collection and preparation are discussed. Learners explore the testing and treatment of drinking and wastewater, and waste management, site assessment, and remediation. Learners examine how humans influence ecosystem stability through an investigation of local and global issues as a team project and presentation. Knowledge will be generated by waste management reports and standard operation protocols (SOPs) designed for water quality analyses.

Biotechnology is central to sustaining the environment. In this laboratory-based course, learners explore environmental sustainability from a biological perspective. Bioremediation, water quality, and biofuels are explored via practical experimentation and applied laboratory techniques that follow industry standards. Learners complete sample chain of custody forms, generate and analyse data while demonstrating competency and safety in the laboratory.

Biotechnology is central to sustaining the environment. In this laboratory-based course, learners explore environmental sustainability from a chemical perspective. Learners will perform environmental chemical analyses following government regulations, using standardized methods for sample collection, preparation, and analysis. Learners will demonstrate knowledge through record keeping and sample management in the form of chain of custody with special emphasis on water quality standards and monitoring in a field setting. Learners apply quality assurance and control strategies to support valid laboratory analyses of environmental samples, according to accreditation standards.

Microorganisms are the backbone of industrial Biotechnology, food production and safety and environmental contamination and remediation. This laboratory-lecture integrated courseintroduces learners to the basic principles of microbiology: structure, classification, ecology, nutrition, physiology, control and genetics of bacteria and viruses. Basic principles of epidemiology and immunity are also introduced. Learners must demonstrate competency using various laboratory methods for microbial isolation, growth, identification, enumeration and control. Additionally, learners must collect and analyse experimental data while consistently adhering to all safety practices and regulations pertinent to a Containment Level 2 (CL2) facility.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) is the cornerstone of all science. This laboratorylecture integrated course will focus on the systems and procedures required to meet the code of practices set out by various regulatory bodies applicable to Biotechnology. Learners will apply the principles of Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) to equipment calibration and maintenance, chains of custody, sample handling, storage and disposal that are fundamental to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Learners will demonstrate knowledge in the laboratory setting by supporting and calibrating equipment, maintaining QA/QC documentation after evaluating data.

Molecular biology is one of the most utilized applications in Biotechnology. It is the foundation of health-related research, forensics, population studies, environmental and ecological research, pharmaceutical and crop development. In this course, learners will familiarize themselves with many of the introductory techniques that are the basis of molecular biology including molecular data mining, DNA extraction, quantification and qualification of nucleic acids and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify and target region of DNA. Learners will demonstrate competency in the lab by performing and trouble-shooting experiments, collecting and analysing data, maintaining an industry standard laboratory notebook, databank research and adhering to safety practices in the lab.

Food Safety Microbiology Food safety is vital to human health. In this laboratory-lecture integrated course, learners apply regulatory standard protocols to analyze food for microbes and their metabolic products and to preserve foods using chemical and physical processes that meet industry and governmental guidelines. Learners demonstrate competency by using techniques to isolate and identify foodborne pathogens using various industry standard microbiological and biochemical techniques as well as apply regulatory standard protocols to complete food quality assessments.

Molecular Biology is the foundation of Biotechnology. Learners apply the theory and techniques associated with the isolation, purification, quantification, manipulation and characterization of nucleic acids. Topics include extraction of nucleic acids, restriction endonuclease digestions, plasmid mapping, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genotyping, molecular diagnostics, and bioinformatics culminating in an individually researched, designed and optimized experimental process. Learners demonstrate knowledge via industry standard laboratory notebooks, competency-based assessments and a capstone project designed to appraise the combination of theoretical knowledge, research capabilities, writing and laboratory skills related to molecular biology.

Analytical chemistry and instrumentation plays a crucial role in food and pharmaceutical safety. This laboratory-based course expands upon foundational analytical chemistry and instrumentation techniques, specifically in how it is applied to quality control and quality assurance. Learners focus on developing and utilizing methods to analyse material and products from the pharmaceutical and food industries. Separation, purification, characterization and identification of active pharmaceutical agents, preservatives, contaminants, and food ingredients using instrumentation are practiced. Learners will demonstrate competency through experimental summaries and reports based on data collected and analysed during laboratory experiments and processes.

Biostatistics Statistical analyses are necessary to test the validity of scientific results. Learners apply statistical methods to collect, tabulate, analyse, interpret and present data relative to experimental processes in Biotechnology. Learners will demonstrate knowledge through data description and presentation, summary measures, probability, the normal distribution, sampling, hypothesis testing, regression and correlation, and quality control.