Biotechnology Offering Takes Laboratory Practice Approach
Posted by Jason White on Thursday, July 17, 2014
Under: College Education
According to the Biotechnology Industry Organization, "at its simplest,
biotechnology is technology based on biology. [It] harnesses cellular
and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that
help improve our lives and the health of our planet. We have used the
biological processes of microorganisms for more than 6,000 years to make
useful food products, such as bread and cheese, and to preserve dairy
products. Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and
technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our
environmental footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy,
and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing
processes."
Centennial College offers a biotechnology college program
that trains you for this exciting field in the position of quality
control technician in a broad range of industries, including food,
cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and also in related government agencies. This
undertaking is a repeat recipient of the Centennial College President's
Academic Program Recognition Award for outstanding student
satisfaction. It takes two years to complete and results in an Ontario
College Diploma. Should students be interested in further training, that
option is made available to them through a third year during which they
study specialized topics such as advanced biotechnology and microbial
genetics or systematic microbiology. With this additional year, students
graduate with an advanced diploma.
The program is facilitated from Centennial College's Morningside Campus.
Why is this important? As the college's most high-tech location, it is
outfitted with a range of facilities that enhance students' education
and experience. Among these facilities are eight up-to-date laboratories
and modern wireless lecture halls where students first study the basics
and then work their way up to learning professional skills. The skills
taught in the labs include:
- Isolate, detail and recognize microorganisms samples such as water, soil, air, the human body, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products
- Set up specimens for staining
- Handle materials in an aseptic manner
- Accurately calibrate and use a range of instruments such as pH and BOD meters, Gas Chromatographs, spectrophotometers (regular/IR/UV), HPLC's etc.
- Prepare microbiological media and reagents and culture pathogenic microbes
- Design and perform microbiology experiments
- Use microorganisms to assay pharmaceutical product
Of course, practical application wouldn't be effective without a solid
theoretical base. As such, qualified and caring faculty and staff, who
provide individual attention in laboratories and during lectures, guide
students. Additionally, students benefit from teamwork, which is used on
a regular basis to help them get an idea of what to expect once they
graduate.
It is worth noting that additional training is provided in Occupational
Health and Safety, WHMIS, GMP, HACCP. This training is to industry
standards.
Each Biotechnology technician graduate of this program may apply for
certification through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering
Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) to use the following professional
designation: CTech (Certified Technician).
In : College Education
Tags: biotechnology technician biotechnology college