Biotechnology Advanced

This is an introductory course for Biotechnology students, covering the biological, physical and chemical principles of the cell with reference to energy flow, structure and function, anatomy, reproduction, genetics and cell diversity.

This course is designed to introduce students to aspects of chemistry that are applicable to the variety of disciplines that comprise the field of Biotechnology. 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.

This course is designed to enhance fundamental numeracy skills and to provide the necessary scientific mathematical skills for students in biotechnology programs. Biological and laboratory applications are emphasized with topics such as: use of a scientific calculator, calculation of solutions and dilutions, unit conversion, absorption calculations, graphing of data, linear regression techniques, and use of algebra and logarithms in laboratory calculations and formulas.

In this laboratory and lecture course, students learn a suite of practical skills that are fundamental to the 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, techniques, and analyses used in contemporary Biotechnology.

In this laboratory course, students learn about the use and maintenance of common chemistry and laboratory reagents, tools, and equipment. Learners practice laboratory safety including WHMIS, preparation of solutions, calibration curves, and titrations, as well as quality assurance and control. Students also operate basic laboratory equipment and handle a variety of reagents.

This course covers the use of Microsoft Office as commonly found in a technology environment to prepare basic written documents and to solve numeric problems as well as using applications to build models for assisting in solving technical problems.

In this course, students develop mathematical skills for solving applied problems in biotechnology. Students learn 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.

Prerequisite(s): MATH 141

This lecture-lab integrated course is designed to explore methods in analytical chemistry that are applicable to a variety of laboratory, industry, and research settings. Theoretical aspects of analytical methods such as high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma, ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy and radiological detection methods are discussed in parallel with practical applications in the laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM151

 

This course introduces students to aspects of chemistry that are applicable to the variety of disciplines that comprise the field of Biotechnology. Students explore the major organic functional groups, nomenclature and important reactions of the organic compounds. An introduction to the principles of biochemistry is provided. In addition, current topics in applied chemistry are examined.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM98

This course covers the theory associated with plants and their use as research organisms, phytoremediators, GMOs and bioproducers. Topics include: basic plant anatomy and physiology, isolation of explants and establishment of callus and suspension cultures, hydroponic growth, protoplasts and embryo culture and plant genetic engineering techniques for initiating hybrids and GMOs. This course provides an introduction to various experimental techniques that will be carried out later in the program.

Prerequisite: BIOL150 

This is a laboratory-lecture integrated course where participants build upon several previously learned theories, applications and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) fundamental to Biotechnology. Students continue to expand upon materials in a diversity of topic areas including Microscopy, Histology, Molecular Biotechnology and Tissue Culture where opportunities will be provided to select and implement various methods, techniques and analyses used in contemporary Biotechnology.

Prerequisite: BIOL154

This is a laboratory-lecture integrated course that introduces students 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. Students practice laboratory methods used in microbial isolation, growth, identification, enumeration and control.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 201

This course introduces various practical applications of environmental biology. Students apply theoretical knowledge to investigate topics such as bioremediation, water quality, and biofuels through practical experiments and applied laboratory techniques. Students use industry standard laboratory procedures and equipment to test environmental water and soil properties.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL156       

Co-requisite(s): BIOL254 + BIOL 356

The focus of this course is on environmental chemical analyses, government regulations and standard methods used for sample collection, preparation and analysis. Students are introduced to record keeping and sample management in the form of chain of custody. A special emphasis is placed on water quality standards and monitoring in a field setting. Students apply quality assurance and control strategies to support valid laboratory analyses of environmental samples, according to accreditation standards.

Prerequisite(s): INST1       

Co-requisite(s): BIOL254 + BIOL 355

In this course, students learn and apply the principles for continuous improvement, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazards Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) in order to aid in laboratory documentation, regulatory acts and compliance activities significant to the biotechnologist, service contracts, equipment purchasing and inventory control. In addition, students explore biotechnology-related product-development in order to articulate key concepts in entrepreneurship.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL155

In this course, students learn and apply the principles for continuous improvement, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazards Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) in order to aid in laboratory documentation, regulatory acts and compliance activities significant to the biotechnologist, service contracts, equipment purchasing and inventory control. In addition, students explore biotechnology-related product-development in order to articulate key concepts in entrepreneurship.

In this course, students learn the fundamentals of environmental science as related to the field of biotechnology. Learners explore the characteristics of natural ecosystems and the anthropogenic needs and impacts. Students learn about 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. Learners explore the testing and treatment of drinking and wastewater, and waste management, site assessment, and remediation. Students examine how humans influence ecosystem stability through an investigation of local and global issues.

This is a laboratory-lecture integrated course where participants learn and apply the theory and techniques associated with the isolation, purification, quantification, manipulation and characterization of nucleic acids. Topics include extraction of plasmid and genomic DNA, restriction endonuclease digestions, plasmid mapping, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genotyping, molecular diagnostics, and bioinformatics. GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) is an underlying theme throughout the course and will be evaluated via laboratory notebooks, scientific reports and practical examinations designed to assess laboratory skills.

Prerequisite(S): BIOL202

This is a laboratory-lecture integrated course where the student learns to apply regulatory standard protocols to analyze food for microbes and their metabolic products, to preserve foods using chemical and physical processes to meet industry and governmental guidelines. Students apply industry standard protocols to complete food quality assessments.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL153

This is a laboratory based course where participants will further build upon previously learned analytical chemistry and instrumentation oriented topics and theories. This course focuses on methods used 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. The use of these methods in quality control and quality assurance is examined.

Prerequisite(S): INST 1

This course introduces the application of statistical methods in collecting, tabulating, analyzing, presenting and interpreting data to students in the field of biotechnology. Major topics include: data description and presentation, summary measures, probability, the normal distribution, sampling, hypothesis testing, regression and correlation, and quality control.

Prerequisite(s): MATH 145

 

In this course, students learn a variety of practical skills that prepare them for placement and enable them to better meet the needs of their work experience site.
The lecture component introduces the student to federal and provincial laws and regulations governing the use of animals in science and teaching, principles of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), animal health and welfare, lab animal disease, zoonotic diseases, euthanasia and biosafety standards and guidelines with relation to laboratory animal facilities. This is achieved primarily by self-study materials and assignments.

The laboratory component emphasizes safe and humane handling techniques and health monitoring. Through mock scenarios, students have the opportunity to practice the theory of aseptic injection techniques and other technical training that are required when working laboratory animals such as rats and mice.

This course introduces students to the history of bioethics, relevant ethical theory and contemporary bioethical issues related to such activities as stem cell research, GMOs, animal research and harassment both in the workplace and as a consequence of working in the field of Biotechnology. This course promotes responsible and ethical practices for novel technologies in the biological sciences as well as engage social responsibility regarding the utilization of biotechnological applications in the fields of health care, food and agriculture, industry and the environment.
The first part of the course is structured to provide students with awareness of the values, assumptions, beliefs, theories and principles that provide a framework of bioethical decision-making. The second part of the course provides an opportunity for students to examine and dissect various contemporary, controversial bioethical issues and trends using the knowledge that they have gained in the first part of the course.

Prerequisite(s): LABS250 

This is a lecture-laboratory integrated course that focuses on molecular cloning, alternative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) processes, RNA isolation and purification, bioinformatic tools, mutation analysis and diagnostics. Throughout the course, the emphasis is on the practical aspects fundamental to genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technologies.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL251      

Co-requisite(s): BIOL353 + BIOL359 + BIOL240

This course focuses on the principles of isolation, propagation, characterization and preservation of animal and plant cell lines. A variety of culture techniques are examined and performed including media preparation, maintenance of in vitro cells lines, plasmid transfection, clone selection by limited dilution and protoplast fusion hybridization of plant based somatic cell lines.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL250            

Co-requisite(s): BIOL350 + BIOL240 + BIOL353

Students develop a variety of professional skills and organize materials in order to prepare them for the workplace and enable them to better meet the needs of their placement site. Students research placement sites and state their placement preference based on an assessment of their own learning needs and abilities. Students build cover letters and functional scientific résumés, utilizing self-assessment strategies. Students must demonstrate that they are eligible for work placement by completing all of the compulsory organizational criteria and training for the college as well as any requirements specific to a chosen placement site. Students correspond with placements sites to secure their work experiences.

Students maintain long-term experiments and are required to be on campus to do so every two to three days.

In this course, students learn to implement regulatory standard protocols to produce bench-top through to large-scale food and beverages, pharmaceutical products, metabolic and alternative fermentation products using industry standards of quality assurance, Hazards Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and quality control. Learners explore requirements for practical fermentation processes including industrial level standard operating procedures (SOPs) for up and downstream processing. Laboratory experiments include methods to produce, process, and purify major commodities such as pharmaceuticals, enzymes, and beverages.

In this course, students explore immunology and epidemiology. Learners perform a variety of immunoassay techniques in the laboratory in the context of disease research, environmental toxicology, antibody production, and vaccine development. Students learn the utility of immunological assays as diagnostic tools.

In this course, students participate in a real world learning (RWL) environment. The work experience (placement) semester is designed to provide the opportunity for the student who has successfully completed their college courses in semesters one (1) through five (5) inclusive to apply their knowledge and skills in an actual RWL environment. The student participates in the operations, processes and protocols found in a biotechnology related workplace site.

This course is designed to immerse the student in a working laboratory and/or industrial facility and promote the successful integration of curriculum elements of performance in an applied setting. This opportunity affords students with the chance to access equipment and/or processes that may not have been accessible in the programme, promotes opportunities for specialization and provides for increased exposure to the industry and job potentials in a wide variety of fields associated with Biotechnology. The student has the opportunity to integrate theory and practice as well as to develop a professional network and reflect on their future career paths.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Semester 1-5 courses.