Courses
Biotechnology-2024/2025
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| BIOL-1051 | Molecular and Cell Biology | 2 | ||
| This course is an introduction to the basic biological processes at the cellular and molecular level in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The cellular structure/function relationship at the macromolecular and genetic levels, DNA structure, chemistry, replication, gene expression, and genetic changes are discussed. The laboratory component introduces basic laboratory techniques such as pipetting and serial dilutions, DNA isolation, centrifugation, gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, and microscopy | ||||
| CHEM-1112 | Chemistry 1 | 2 | ||
| This course covers the basic concepts of matter, quantitative interpretation of chemical reactions, behavior of gases, the composition of atoms and their electron configurations, and chemical bonding. Chemical laboratory assays will be practiced during experiments related to the theory discussed in lectures. | ||||
| MATH-1230 | Mathematics | 3 | ||
| Content covered includes data interpretation, fundamental algebra, linear and exponential equations, logarithms, and their graphical representations as related to analyses in chemical and biological sciences. | ||||
| BIOL-1052 | Fundamentals of Biotechnology | 1.5 | ||
| This course introduces the student to basic concepts and skills needed for success in the field of biotechnology. Emphasis will be given to systems of measurement, basic statistics, data interpretation, and computer applications including MS Word and Excel as applied to laboratory technology. Presenting data in a logical format for analysis will be emphasized. Various arithmetic functions, conditional statements and graphic analysis will be applied. Topics introduced are: descriptive statistics; probability and confidence intervals; sampling distributions and hypothesis testing; regression and correlation and analysis of variance. Students will perform statistical calculations and evaluate the results. This course will allow students to practice and master the required calculations for solving common problems in the biotechnology laboratory, such as preparing laboratory reagents and describing and graphing data. | ||||
| SFTY-1090 | Safe Laboratory Procedures | 3 | ||
| This course examines the principles of general laboratory safety including recognizing workplace hazards including the importance of proper record keeping, provincial and federal regulations, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the handling, storage, and transport of hazardous biological and chemical materials. Students will acquire knowledge to anticipate and manage risks associated with biotechnology settings and identify hazards in their work environment. Relevant regulatory bodies, procedures, and requirements are covered. | ||||
| WRIT-1039 | Reason & Writing 1-Technology | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce technology students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| COOP-1020 | Co-operative Education Employment Prep | 1 | ||
| This workshop will provide an overview of the Co-operative Education consultants and students' roles and responsibilities as well as the Co-operative Education Policy. It will provide students with employment preparatory skills specifically related to co-operative education work assignments and will prepare students for their work term. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| CHEM-1113 | Biochemistry 1 | 1.5 | ||
| This biochemistry course places emphasis on the study of biochemical structure and formation of carbohydrates, amino acids, protein, nucleic acids, enzymes and metabolism of macromolecules. The laboratory techniques include thin-layer chromatography, protein purification, and the separation of proteins and nucleic acids by electrophoresis | ||||
| BIOL-1053 | Microbiology 1 | 1.5 | ||
| This is an introductory course in microbiology which places emphasis on bacteriology and will provide the student with a general working knowledge in the following areas: cell structure, taxonomy, cultivation (nutrition, media preparation, isolation, transfer techniques), enumeration, metabolism, and control of bacteria by antimicrobial agents | ||||
| CHEM-1114 | Chemistry 2 | 1.5 | ||
| Students learn about chemical equilibrium, properties of solutions and acid-base systems, equilibrium in saturated solutions, and oxidation-reduction reactions and associated electrical energy. The laboratory experiments are related to material discussed. | ||||
| CHEM-1115 | Organic Chemistry | 2 | ||
| This course discusses the classification of organic compounds, nomenclature using IUPAC, common and trade names of many industrial chemicals, factors affecting boiling point and solubility, the theory of extractions, preparation and reactions of alkanes, alkenes and alkyl halides, sources and uses of hydrocarbons, stereochemistry, and structure determination using IR and NMR spectroscopy. Laboratory exercises include the isolation and identification of natural products, qualitative tests for the identification of functional groups, preparation of samples for qualitative analysis by various forms of chromatography and other relevant techniques | ||||
| PHYS-1044 | Physics | 2 | ||
| The underlying physical aspects of instruments and techniques commonly used in biotechnology will be explored. The major areas of study will include microscopy, centrifugation, and instrumental analysis. | ||||
| Level 3 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| BIOL-3015 | Genetics | 2 | ||
| In this course, students examine the genetic basis of life including Mendelian and non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance, meiosis and homologous recombination theory and their role as a molecular tool as well as bioethical implications. Laboratory exercises include amplification of DNA from RNA using the reverse transcriptase PCR, recombinant plasmid production, preparing competent bacterial cells, and transformation of bacteria with plasmid DNA. | ||||
| BIOL-3016 | Microbiology 2 - Industrial Applications | 1.5 | ||
| This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of industrial processes important to the biotechnology industry with an emphasis on fermentation. This course explores the application of scientific and engineering principles as applied to the production of useful products by micro-organisms as well as plants and animal cells | ||||
| CHEM-3017 | Biochemistry 2 | 2 | ||
| This course reviews the central pathways involved in the biosynthesis of macromolecular precursors, including the connections between pathways within a cell. Students will explore cellular bioenergetic pathways including cellular respiration and photosynthesis. In the laboratory particular focus is given to practicing laboratory techniques for immunoblotting, biochemical assays, and analysis of enzyme function and activity. | ||||
| CHEM-3018 | Analytical Chemistry | 1.5 | ||
| This course demonstrates the use of analytical laboratory techniques for the preparation and standardization of analytical reagents. Topics such as stoichiometry, equilibrium, acids and bases, solubility, and redox reactions will be discussed. Students will encounter basic analytical techniques and preparation and standardization of analytical reagents and gravimetric analysis. | ||||
| QUAL-1000 | Quality Assurance | 3 | ||
| This course introduces Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs). It introduces a quality management system based on various International Organization for Standardization (ISO) series of standards for quality assurance (QA), including tools such as documentation, checklists, certificates of analysis, and validations, and key steps in effective quality control (QC) assays including process development and auditing, for the biotech industry. | ||||
| PHIL-1011 | Biomedical Ethics | 3 | ||
| Medical ethics is the study of the moral issues that arise out of the unique relationships between healthcare practitioners, patients, research scientists and the general public at large. All of us will be part of these relationships over the course of our lifetimes - and many of the questions raised in this course will be faced directly by students. Should my doctor tell me the truth when the truth might hurt me? How much impact should my family's wishes have on my medical care? Is it right to test my unborn children for genetic diseases? Should a patient's confidentiality be kept at all costs? Is access to health care a human right? Is it right to perform medical research on animals? Should we alter our DNA to enhance ourselves? How do we define "Disease" and "Illness"? By thinking through these sorts of questions in the context of this course, students will be better prepared to tackle them as they arise in their lives. | ||||
| COMM-3005 | Language & Communication Skills 3 | 3 | ||
| This course will permit the student to perform primary and secondary research, to shape, organize and document a formal report and to present a persuasive oral proposal. | ||||
| Level 4 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| BIOL-3018 | Immunology and Virology | 2 | ||
| This course describes the function of the immune system as well as its application to the biological sciences. Topics include immunogenicity, B and T cell activation and function, and the design and production of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Biotechnological aspects of animal and plant viruses and bacteriophages will be discussed. Laboratory exercises include various immunology and virology assays and techniques. | ||||
| BIOL-3019 | Plant and Animal Cell Culture | 1.5 | ||
| This advanced course in biotechnology provides knowledge of both plant and animal tissue culture. Laboratory exercises provide opportunities to apply techniques in staining, isolation and culturing of plant meristems, and mammalian cell culture including transfection | ||||
| CHEM-3019 | Instrumental Chemical Analysis | 1.5 | ||
| Students will gain significant hands-on experience in instrumental chemical analysis. Practical experience is gained in the operation of infrared (IR) and atomic absorption spectrometers (AA), gas (GC) and liquid chromatographs (HPLC), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometers (GC/MS) | ||||
| BIOL-3020 | Bioinformatics | 1.5 | ||
| This course introduces bioinformatics tools used in the field of biotechnology. Students will conduct genomic analysis using industry-standard software and extract and process data from microarray experiments to identify genetic changes that occur in a complex data set. Emphasized will be fundamental concepts including the steps involved in data acquisition and processing pertaining to the field of genomics and personalized medicine. | ||||
| HLTH-3072 | Traditional Medicines | 3 | ||
| For thousands of years plants and herbs have had medicinal uses in Chinese, Indian, African, and native North American systems of traditional medicine for preventing and curing human disease. This lecture course will focus on a link between bioactive compounds from medicinal plants and herbs and advances in modern day biotechnology. Lecture content will include: The history of medicinal plants and plant-based medicine in major traditional medical systems The scientific basis of traditional medicines Novel drugs from medicinal plants Application of biotechnology and chemistry techniques during the production of plant medicines Psychoactive plants Safety, quality, efficacy, and regulations of herbal medicines Conservation of medicinal plants | ||||
| BIOL-3021 | Synthetic Biology - Capstone | 4 | ||
| This capstone course will offer an introduction to basic concepts in Synthetic Biology, the use of advanced tools for integration of basic synthetic units into multi-component devices, and modern analytical techniques for designing and testing new systems. For the students, it will tie together subjects from various courses, including molecular and cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, math, and physics | ||||
| Gen Ed - Electives | ||||
| Take 3 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Level 2 | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 15 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||