Honours Bachelor of Applied Technology - Biotechnology (Co-op)
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Program Overview
Honours Bachelor of Applied Technology is a four-year degree program with a mandatory co-op component. Students will develop skills in experimental design, statistical data analysis, bioinformatics and handling microbial, plant, and animal material for genetic analysis. Graduates of this program will feel confident entering the workforce after completing a four-month co-op program to develop the necessary interpersonal and communication skills.
Program Details
Program Code
BIO2
Credential:
Degree
Duration
120 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2026 September
London
Open
2025 September
London
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2026 September
London
Open
2025 September
London
Closed
Your Learning Experience
Stem cells, natural and synthesized pharmaceuticals, molecular biology and chemical instrumentation are among the most in-demand fields of scientific study today. Coupled with Fanshawe's honours bachelor degree in Biotechnology, you'll have eight semesters (four years) of academic study and at least four months of related co-op experience to prepare you for work in these exciting areas.
Develop In-Demand Biotech Skills
As a biotech degree student, you'll develop skills in experimental design, statistical data analysis, bioinformatics, chemical analysis and handling microbial, plant, and animal material for genetic analysis. Throughout the biotechnology degree program, there will be a strong focus on how biotechnology relates to regulatory affairs, quality assurance, bioethics, and biohazard management.
What You'll Learn
In this biotechnology degree program, you will learn:
- Plant and animal tissue culture
- applied biotechnology methods including PCR and qPCR
- microbiology and virology
- DNA and RNA and protein and lipid purification and analysis
- instrumental chemistry
- economic, ethical and environmental issues
During your mandatory four-month, paid co-op work term, you'll hone your research skills and develop the interpersonal and communication expertise necessary for life beyond the degree.
Graduate Career-Ready
This program will prepare graduates for jobs in growth areas of Applied Biotechnology such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, agriculture, bioremediation, the fermentation industry, chemical purification, research and development to name a few. Following program completion graduate school is also an option. Students will study molecular biology, physical, organic and instrumental chemistry, applied biotechnology, microbiology, virology, toxicology; and related societal, economic, ethical, legal, and environmental issues.
Graduates will be skilled in the handling of microbial, plant, and animal genetic material and macromolecule analysis, small animal handling, experimental design, statistical data analysis, and bioinformatics. Throughout the program, students will apply this knowledge to regulatory affairs, quality assurance, bioethics, and biohazard management while developing interpersonal and communication expertise, and the skills necessary for life long learning.
Co-op Opportunities & Career Information
Co-op Opportunities
The Honours Bachelor of Applied Technology – Biotechnology program requires completion of a cooperative education component, which provides students the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand workplace experience in the Biotechnology sector. Here are some co-op jobs that have kick-started the careers of Honours Bachelor of Applied Technology - Biotechnology students before graduating!
- Sample Preparation Technician
Follow established procedures in the preparation of agriculture, chemical or food samples for analysis. - Lab/Research Assistant
Laboratory-based tasks such as sampling, testing, measuring, recording and analyzing results. - Quality Control or Assurance Technician
Monitor and improve the quality and safety of food and beverages while ensuring required procedures are met.
For more information regarding co-op, please check out our co-op site or contact the Co-op Office at coop@fanshawec.ca to connect with a consultant.
Career Information
Graduates of this Honours four-year degree program have the opportunity to pursue a wide variety of careers within the Biotechnology sector, including:
- Medical, agricultural and basic research
- New product development
- Laboratory management
- Molecular and chemical analysis in the agricultural industry
- Quality control / quality assurance
- Fermentation chemistry in the beer and wine industry
- Pharmaceutical production and sales
- Forensic analysis
- Risk assessment and management
- Technical writing
Graduates also have the option of pursuing additional degrees and/or certifications that can open the door to the following careers:
- Environmental remediation
- Public health and hospital lab and training opportunities
- Alternate energy development
- Downstream processing of waste products
- Project management
- Intellectual property manager
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Honours Bachelor of Applied Technology - Biotechnology program:
- Microbiology Laboratory Analyst
Prepare and maintain equipment and gather specimen samples for analysis. Help microbiologists identify microorganisms found in samples of water or other substances. - Quality Assurance Technician
Perform quality control checks on products during the production cycle to ensure safety regulations are met. - Biotechnologist and Fermentation Specialist
Design, set-up and perform experiments to improve product quality and yield.
Program Progression
Fall | Winter | Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Start Level 1 | Class Level 2 | Off |
| Year 2 | Class Level 3 | Class Level 4 | Co-op/Off |
| Year 3 | Class Level 5 | Class Level 6 | Co-op/Off |
| Year 4 | Class Level 7 | Class Level 8/End | N/A |
I chose the Biotechnology degree because it provides me with sufficient knowledge in the field of science and technology while allowing me to acquire excellent laboratory skills. I’m confident this program will enable me to acquire a challenging position in the field of science and research.
Rahaf Alfares
4th year student
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to
1. Perform all laboratory tasks according to accepted laboratory practices.
2. Demonstrate theoretical and practical skills in molecular biology.
3. Assist in the design of good experimental and laboratory management practices and procedures.
4. Obtain a sound practical background in the interdisciplinary subjects that are the basis of Biotechnology.
5. Perform all duties in a manner that adheres to the principles of good data management.
6. Conduct all functions with a full understanding of and in adherence to relevant regulatory and ethical issues and requirements.
7. Apply procedures of bio-processing in both laboratory and industrial settings.
8. Apply strong interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills to course teamwork, assignments, and case situations.
9. Understand, value and respect the diverse social, political, cultural, and ethical context in which he or she will live and work.
10. Develop plans for lifelong learning that include strategies for ensuring professional and technological currency.
Related Programs
Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Pieter Anborgh
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature applicant with the following courses
- Grade 12 Advanced Functions (U) or Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (U)
- Grade 12 Biology (U)
- Grade 12 Chemistry (U)
- Three additional Grade 12 University (U or M) courses
- Final minimum average of 70.0% based on the highest six Grade 12 (U or M) courses
Applicants with Post-secondary Education
- Applicants who have successfully completed a two-year diploma at an accredited college with an overall GPA of 2.5 will be considered as having met the admission requirements if they also have grade 12 (or equivalent) U level Math, Biology and Chemistry courses.
- Applicants applying from a university with a minimum average of 65% in the last ten full credit or full credit equivalent courses will be considered as having met the admission requirements if they also have grade 12 (or equivalent) U level Math, Biology and Chemistry courses.
Applicants missing the required courses may want to consider our General Arts and Science - One Year program where they can earn Grade 12, U level credits.
Note: Qualifying graduates of the Chemical Laboratory Technology - Science Laboratory advanced diploma have the option to receive advanced standing into this degree program.
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 88 |
| IELTS Academic | Overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands |
| CAEL | Overall score of 70 with no score less than 60 in any of the four bands |
| PTE Academic | 59 |
| Cambridge English | Overall score of 176 with no language skill less than 169 |
| ESL4/GAP5 | Minimum grade of 80% in Level 9, 75% in Level 10 |
| Duolingo | Overall score of 120, with no score lower than 105 |
| LANGUAGECERT | Overall score of 70 with no score less than 65 in any of the four skills |
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- Grade 12 Physics (U)
- Grade 12 English (U)
Advanced Standing
Advanced Standing
- Applicants applying for individual course credits from Canadian universities must provide a detailed course content of theory and laboratory exercises (if appropriate).
- International applicants may apply for course credit achieved at the post-secondary level. Detailed course content of theory and laboratory exercises from the international institution must be included with a transcript as part of the request (official documents provided to the Office of the Registrar in a sealed envelope). If translation of the documents into English is necessary this must be performed by a recognized service.
- Based on the guidelines established by the Postsecondary Quality Assessment Board for Honours Degree Programs, credits for advanced standing cannot exceed 50% of the program's total.
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
- Achievement in Post-Secondary Studies* (if applicable)
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
Ministry Consent and Accreditation
President: Peter Devlin, CMM, MSC, CD, HBA, MSSSenior Vice-President Academic: Susan Cluett,
BSc, MEng, EdD
Vice-President Students, Employees and
Culture: Tania Caza, CHRE, MBA, PCC
Dean, Faculty of Science, Trades, Technology, and
Design: Stephen Patterson, HBA, M.Ed
Associate Dean, School of Advanced Manufacturing and
Transportation Technology: Carl Mendonca, MPA
Faculty:
P. S. Argall, PhD
C. Ketola, PhD
D. Quesnel, PEng, PhD
S. Thyssen, PhD
J. Zhang, PhD
Fanshawe College has been granted consent by the Ministry of
Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security to offer
this degree for a seven-year period starting September 2020. The
College shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named
program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to
complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Courses
| Core Courses | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory (Core) Courses: The Minimum Cumulative GPA for Core Courses is 2.5 | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
| LEVEL 1 In addition to the following mandatory courses, please refer to the Non-Core Level 1 requirement below | ||||
| CHEM-7002 | Chemistry 1 | 4 | ||
| This course covers the basic concepts of matter, quantitative interpretation of chemical reactions, behaviour of gases, composition of atoms and their electron configurations, and chemical bonding. Laboratories provide opportunities to develop techniques while working on experiments related to theory. | ||||
| BIOL-7002 | Molecular Biology | 3 | ||
| 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 laboratories and tutorials compliment the lectures by introducing basic laboratory techniques. Students develop skills in preparation, extraction and separation of cellular components, gel electrophoresis and serial dilutions. | ||||
| MATH-7002 | Mathematics 1 | 3 | ||
| This course provides a review of basic algebra and trigonometry concepts followed by an introduction to calculus of one variable. This course includes the concepts of limits and continuity, rules for finding the derivatives and integrals of polynomial functions, and applications of these concepts taken largely from the life sciences. | ||||
| COMP-7002 | Computers & Applications | 2 | ||
| This course uses MS Excel software to introduce spread sheets for data analysis and to solve statistical problems. Presenting data in a logical format for analysis will be emphasized. Various arithmetic functions, conditional statements and graphic analysis will be applied in addition to matrix manipulations and financial functions. An introduction to databases as well as an initiation to GenBank (National Center for Biotechnology Information) are also included. | ||||
Tuition Summary
London
[1] Total program costs are approximate and subject to change. They do not include additional fees such as the health and dental plan, bus pass, or general expenses. Learn more about ancillary and additional fees.