A post secondary program in biotechnology prepares students for careers as lab technicians, lab assistants, DNA analysts and quality testing and controlling assistants in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

1. Tips to choose right Biotechnology College in Canada
A post-secondary program in biotechnology opens doors to various
careers in clinical research, DNA analysis, quality control and assurance,
industrial microbiology and biochemistry, biology instrumentation and
calibration. The graduates of this program demonstrate the ability to
 Isolate, enumerate and identify microorganisms
 Collect and store samples
 Prepare specimen for staining
 Prepare microbiological media and reagents and culture pathogenic
microbes
 Design and perform microbiology experiments
 Sample, measure, collect and analyze data
 Calibrate and use laboratory instruments
 Apply appropriate safety procedures
 Handle hazardous chemicals
The professionals can find employment in food, pharmaceutical and
cosmetic industries as biotechnology technicians, lab technicians,
biology lab assistants, life science lab technicians and instrumentation
and calibration assistants. They can also work with companies into
clinical research, quality testing and biotechnology product development.
Choosing a Biotechnology College in Canada
How you start your career depends on where you have studied, to a
great extent. The biotechnology programs that have met the national
technology accreditation requirements established by the Canadian
Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) and the Canadian
Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB) offer better placement
opportunities.
It is important to ask the following questions before enrolling into a
biotechnology college or course in Canada:
 Is the program accredited by the Canadian Technology
Accreditation Board (CTAB)?

2.  Is the program affiliated to the Canadian Council of Technicians and
Technologists (CCTT)?
 Does it combine laboratory work with classroom learning?
 Does the college allow you to apply for certification through the
Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and
Technologists for using the designation: Certified Technician?
 Does the program incorporate training in Occupational Health and
Safety, HACCP, GMP or WHMIS to industry standards?
 Does the prospective college allow you to apply academic credits
earned during the program to study for an advanced program?
 Does the program incorporate independent microbiology projects?
A program is worth considering if answer to all these questions is a “yes”.
Centennial College’s two-year post-secondary program in biotechnology
meets all the above mentioned criteria. In addition, a special feature of
the program is the project approach. It allows students to design
independent projects to help them enhance their problem-solving and
research approach. With this, the program is also a repeat recipient of
the College President’s Academic Program Recognition Award for
outstanding student satisfaction.
Studying Biotechnology
The post-secondary diploma program in biotechnology typically runs for
two years and covers a wide range of subjects. Students develop strong
fundamentals in chemistry, inorganic chemistry, mathematics for applied
science, and statistics for applied science, biotechnology, microbiology
and technical report writing.
With this, they also study occupational health and safety, microbiology
techniques, food microbiology, analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical
microbiology and recombinant DNA technology. The program also lays a
strong emphasis on computer education and covers microcomputer
applications for technology A.
Enrolling in a Biotechnology Program
Students interested in applying for this program need to submit:
 Secondary school diploma or equivalent

3.  English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent scores
 Mathematics Grade 11 M or 12 C or University or equivalent scores
Students currently in high school can also apply for this program. Their
grades will be automatically transferred to the college.