Friday, June 28, 2013

Biotechnology Technician Program Requires Dedication

Centennial College’s two-year Biotechnology Technician - Industrial Microbiology program is both challenging and rewarding. As such, it requires not only dedication but also proof of that dedication. This begins with the application process. Applicants to the Biotechnology college program are required to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Also required is completion of compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11M or U or 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. Students are placed in appropriate English level based on skills assessment results. Lastly, students who test at an advanced level may be accelerated directly into MATH-176 in semester 1 and MATH-186 in semester 2. Those taking MATH-140 will have the opportunity to complete MATH-186 between semesters 2 and 3.

Once accepted, students of this Biotechnology Technician offering obtain thorough practical training in industrial microbiology as well as chemistry (analytical and organic) and biochemistry. This is achieved in a variety of ways, including through a balance of theory and practical application such as lessons on appropriate safety procedures, biotechnology technician projects; and independently designed microbiology tasks that enhance problem solving and research skills. Students attend specific Biotechnology Technician courses such as: Intro to Biological Systems, Chemistry, Occupational Health and Safety, Mathematics, Microbiology, Microbial Techniques, Lab Instrumentation, Statistics for Applied Science and much more.

It is worthy of mention that this Biotechnology Technician offering is nationally accredited by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists, which has deemed it as having met the national technology accreditation requirements. In addition, the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists recognizes the Biotechnology Technician - Industrial Microbiology program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Technician Category. These national accreditations support program quality and provide mobility for graduates.

With the education obtained in this biotechnology college program, students take on the Biotechnology Technician role, which is also known as a Bench Technician. In their role, these professionals assure quality control in areas of manufacturing such as food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. This is carried out in a variety of ways. Among which are: isolating, enumerating and identifying microorganisms from many types of samples (water, soil, air, your body, and food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products); preparing specimens for staining and using a light-microscope; handling materials and instruments such as pH and BOD meters, Gas Chromatographs, spectrophotometers (regular/IR/UV), HPLC’s etc; preparing microbiological media and reagents; culture pathogenic microbes; and designing and perform their own microbiology experiments.

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