This one-semester course is designed to teach the student fundamental analytical techniques, which are required for satisfactory performance in any laboratory-related work.  Techniques taught include proper use of the analytical balance, proper pipetting techniques, use of the buret, transferring solutions, use of the pH meter and the spectrophotometer.  The course consists of 1 lecture hour and 2 lab hours.

This one-semester course consists of three lecture hours per week and 10 lab hours throughout the term.  This course is designed to introduce students to basic biological concepts and their significance in helping to solve issues that affect modern society, and provides a foundation for senior courses in the Applied Sciences programs.  This course focuses on the processes involved in biological systems. Students learn concepts and theories in the areas of cellular biology, genetics, and animal anatomy and physiology.  This course demonstrates the concept of unity and diversity by showing that there are certain characteristics and mechanisms which are common to all living things, surveys the lifestyles of various organisms from bacteria to animals, and reaffirms the students’ connection with all living things.

This one semester introductory chemistry course includes weekly three hour lectures and three hour laboratory sessions.  The lectures deal with the theoretical aspects of chemical principles, whereas the laboratory relates to the practical applications of chemistry and the development of the necessary ‘hands on’ basic techniques and skills. Topics discussed in the lectures include matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, nomenclature, chemical formulae, the mole, stoichiometry and chemical reactions.  An emphasis is placed on developing problem solving skills, which relies, to an extent, on an appropriate mathematical background.  The laboratory sessions include a topic on lab safety and safe procedures and practices are continually stressed throughout the semester.  The experiments involve sample preparation, use of the analytical balance, solution preparation and standardization, analysis of samples by various procedures, the use of glassware and the use of simple instrumentation (Spec.20, pH meters).

This course helps students to discover and perfect the skills that will prepare them for success in college, career, and life. Reading comprehension, writing skills and presentation techniques will be covered. Also, students learn and practice basic computer applications to complete technical documents and present research assignments.

Students refresh and develop their skills in fundamental mathematics including algebra, graphing, unit conversions, geometry and dimensional analysis. As well, students practise and strengthen their reasoning abilities by restating problems so they can be solved mathematically. This course covers the component skills required in Math 2132.

This course is a continuation of Chemistry I (CHEM 1131), and consists of two hours of lecture and a three hour lab session per week.  The lectures deal with the theoretical aspects of chemical principles; whereas the lab relates to the practical applications of the science of chemistry and the development of the necessary basic skills required.  Labs are designed around analysis of samples, with emphasis placed on accuracy. Topics discussed in the lectures include: periodic properties of elements, chemical bonding, intermolecular forces, properties of solutions, equibria and acid base chemistry.  Emphasis is placed on problem solving skills development, especially with respect to solution chemistry.  The laboratory sessions include a topic on lab safety and experiments involving sample preparation, use of the analytical balance, solution preparation and standardization, analysis of samples by various procedures (volumetric, gravimetric, etc.), the use of glassware, the use of simple instrumentation (spec 20, pH meters, etc.) 

This course is designed to reinforce and expand on the writing skills students require in the technical workplace. Students will learn to select and use appropriate research, language, layout and graphics for technical documents. Emphasis will be placed on: the process of completing any on-the-job writing assignment, the specific formats most often used, and related communication tasks such as oral presentations. To help reach these goals, the course will focus on the elements of clear writing, and the necessary critical thinking that must precede good writing.

General education courses strengthen students' essential employability skills, such as critical analysis, problem solving, and communication, in the context of an exploration of topics with broad-based personal and/or societal importance.

Elective general education courses appear in your program of study as GNED 0000. This is called a “placeholder.” This placeholder is replaced by an actual course that you will select from a list of available "elective" general education courses when you register in the relevant semester.

Please note that the type and number of elective courses available will vary from semester to semester and from year to year.

This course is a continuation of Mathematics 1 (MATH 1132). Students develop their mathematical skills through topics such as exponential and logarithmic functions, radicals and exponents and systems of equations. Using mathematical procedures and applying mathematical concepts to solve problems are stressed.

This is a one semester course designed to introduce the student to the basic concepts of organic chemistry.  This course is designed to familiarize the student with organic chemical structures, functional groups, nomenclature and basic physical properties and reactions of organic compounds.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the field of biotechnology. The basic theory and techniques of cell and molecular biology, as they apply to a broad range of biotechnology processes and products in the pharmaceutical, health, environmental and food industries are examined. The course also surveys the continuously evolving legal, ethical, economical, environmental and social issues surrounding biotechnology.

The course serves as an introduction to analytical methods and their applications.  Sample preparation, method selection, techniques, calculations and data handling are addressed as they apply to different types of chemical analysis.  This course introduces the chemical principles behind gravimetric and volumetric methods of analysis.  Problem-solving is strongly emphasized.  The laboratory portion of this course emphasizes good laboratory technique and practices.  Accuracy and precision of analytical results as well as documentation and presentation of laboratory results are evaluated.

This is a one-semester theory course (two hours/week) designed to extend students’ knowledge into methods of instrumental analysis. Students are introduced to basic spectrographic and chromatographic instrumental concepts and applications, including interpretation of analytical results. This theory course is followed by a lab practical course in the following semester.

Biochemistry I is a one-semester course with two scheduled hours of lecture and three scheduled hours of laboratory exercises per week.  This course provides an introduction to food chemistry and nutrition, and the biochemistry of the biological molecules, particularly amino acids, proteins, and enzymes.  Emphasis is placed on the structure, chemistry, and function of these molecules.  Thermodynamics and the biochemistry of water, acids, bases, and buffers are also examined.  The roles of biological molecules are discussed in the context of the organism by way of a survey of major metabolic processes.  Laboratory experiments closely follow the progress of the lecture and are slanted towards practical applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological industries.

This course introduces applied aspects of microbiology.  It includes a practical and theoretical introduction to microbial cell morphology and the structure and function of prokaryotes and eukaryotes.  The diversity of the microbial world is examined by comparing bacterial, fungal, protozoan and viral organisms. The growth, reproduction and enumeration of micro-organisms are studied as well as the effects of physical and chemical agents on microbial growth.  The laboratory component provides hands-on experience in the isolation, cultivation and enumeration of micro-organisms as well as in the preparation of microbiological media and maintenance of microbial cultures. 

This course studies the process the consumer goes through in making purchase decisions. Strategies that enable marketers and the media to affect this process and the mechanisms they use to do so are analyzed and discussed.  The course will assist students in becoming more effective marketers and sales professionals by helping them understand the processes and influences that drive the purchase behaviour in consumers.

This course deals with basic statistics for technical personnel and some of the topics in statistical process control (SPC). Students will learn to describe data graphically and numerically; how probability applies to statistics and quality control; normal binomial and Poisson probability distributions. They will also study linear regression and correlation. Students will then learn how to apply statistics to process control, including how to use and interpret various control charts for variables and attributes.

This is a continuation of Analytical Chemistry I.  Various volumetric methods are studied (acid/base, redox, complexation).  More advanced concepts and theory are examined as they deal with each type of analysis.  This course also serves as an introduction to instrumental analysis, addressing both electrochemical and spectroscopic methods from an analytical perspective.  Problem solving is strongly emphasized.  The laboratory portion of this course emphasizes good laboratory technique and practices.  Accuracy and precision of analytical results as well as documentation and presentation of laboratory results are evaluated.

This is a one-semester laboratory course (Two hours/week).  Students will apply the theoretical knowledge gained from INST 2134 and run experimental analysis on various spectrographic and chromatographic instruments including, but not limited to:  GC, HPLC, IR, UVVIS, and AA.

Biochemistry II is a one-semester course with two scheduled hours of lecture and three scheduled hours of laboratory exercises per week.  This course is a continuation of the study of biological molecules begun in BIOC 3131.  Molecules discussed include carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.  Particular emphasis is placed on the structure, chemistry, and function of these macromolecules.  Gene expression (transcription, translation, and regulation) is also examined.  The roles of biological molecules are discussed in the context of the organism by way of a survey of major metabolic processes.  Laboratory experiments closely follow the progress of the lecture and are slanted towards practical applications in food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological industries.

The course examines the relationship between micro-organisms and food in negative and positive contexts.  The relationship between microbes and foods, water and their human hosts in relation to food-borne and water-borne disease and food safety is also studied. Using rapid and conventional accredited laboratory methods, students develop microbiological techniques to determine microbial populations and isolate specific pathogenic micro-organisms found in food products. As well, they learn about the microbial analysis of drinking water and wastewater for pathogenic organisms.

This course describes the development, approval process, formulation, manufacture and testing of pharmaceutical products. Solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules, powders), liquid dosage forms (solutions, syrups, suspensions, emulsions) and other dosage forms (ointments, creams, transdermal patches, aerosols) are addressed.  The pharmaceutical industry is addressed from a Canadian and North American perspective.  The role of government agencies (USP/NF, FDA, CDER, TPD) is discussed.  cGMPs and GLPs are described as they relate to this industry as well as Quality Assurance and its role in helping to establish/maintain quality standards.  The Laboratory portion of the course addresses the testing of raw materials and finished products.  Both chemical (impurity testing, assays – HPLC, UV/VIS, and identification tests) and physical testing (friability, disintegration, dissolution, viscosity, hardness, etc.) are performed according to USP/NF monographs.  The importance of documentation in the laboratory is stressed.

DNA Techniques (BIOT 3131) is a one-semester course with four scheduled hours of laboratory exercises and one scheduled hour of lecture per week. This course is designed to train students to work independently and safely in the biotechnology laboratory by teaching comprehensive research techniques, methods for documentation and data analysis, and good laboratory practices.

Students will learn and practice DNA techniques including DNA purification from bacteria and agarose gels, DNA quantifications by UV spectroscopy, restriction digest, DNA ligation, preparation of competent cells and bacterial transformation, DNA fingerprinting (using PCR), Southern blotting, plasmid mapping, and agarose gel electrophoresis and annotation. Students will also learn and practice protein quantification using the Bradford method. The students will be taught to use bioinformatics tools and resources that can assist them with their work and the interpretation of their results, including NCBI databases and on-line modelling of restriction digests. 

Protein Techniques (BIOT 4133) is a one-semester course with four scheduled hours of laboratory exercises and one scheduled hour lecture per week. This course is designed to train students to work independently and safely in the biotechnology laboratory by teaching comprehensive research techniques, methods for documentation and data analysis, and good laboratory practices.

Students will learn and practice protein techniques including six exclusion chromatography, ion exchange, chromatography, affinity chromatography, three phase partitioning, SDS-PAGE and gel staining, drying, and annotation, western blotting and hybridization, and the preparation and use of an ELISA. The students will be taught to use, bioinformatics tools and resources that can assist them with their research and the interpretation of their results, including NCBI databases.

This course will continue students’ exploration of cell biology and provide greater details of immunology, cell growth, receptors and signalling. The laboratory component will support the theory taught in lectures. In addition, the laboratory will also introduce students to the fundamental techniques of culturing eukaryotic cells. Students will also learn to use a haemocytometer, to subdivide cells, and to prepare and thaw frozen cell stocks.

In this course, the basic principles of chromatographic instruments and methods are presented.  The types of chromatographic separations and the associated terminology are examined.  The applications of thin layer chromatography are addressed, along with the basic applications and types of column chromatography.  The information present in a typical chromatogram is described and some fundamental calculations performed.  After looking at basic concepts, a brief overview of two of the more commonly used instruments, HPLC and GC, is presented.  The basic components of both are described.  The use of chromatography as both a qualitative and quantitative instrument is addressed.  Chromatographic methods and method validation are described.  This course serves as a prerequisite to Chromatography II, in which more detail is presented regarding the instrumentation and applications of chromatographic methods.  The laboratory component of this course allows students to receive practical hands-on training on the HPLC, IC and GC and to apply the theory presented in lecture.

Placement is considered an important part as a technologist’s education, and student are required to obtain a minimum of 80 hours on the job placement in their chosen field and 5 hours of required workshops. There is no formal set of topics of instruction for placement but it must provide the student with practical experience in their chosen field. Each placement will be different as there will be a variety of organizations participating.  Students may achieve their placement requirement in various ways by completing one of the following:  

A summer position after second year related to their field of study.

Working on day a week during the fall and or winter academic school year.

Working during a block period of time such as the Christmas break, Reading week or in May after all courses work is completed.

Completing an internship for 4,8,12 or 16 months.

Applying for a prior work experience with proper approval and documentation.

Placement is approached as an actual job, with students attending interviews and being selected for positions by the employer. Students are to perform as technologists in training. A satisfactory completion is mandatory in order to graduate from Durham College. 

This course will introduce students to the fundamental legal principles applicable to businesses in Canada.  Students will gain an understanding of the Canadian Legal System, Dispute Resolution, Contract Law, Business Torts, Property Law, Employment Law, Intellectual Property Law, as well as the key distinctions between Civil and Criminal Law.  Students will examine the legal theory in a practical manner through case scenarios and case analyses.

Students examine the different methods and approaches to characterize, classify and identify bacteria. This course emphasizes the physiological, morphological, biochemical and serological characteristics used to identify bacteria found in the food, biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries.  As well, students examine rapid testing and automated systems to determine whether micro-organisms are present in a sample and identify the unknown organisms to the species level. During weekly laboratory sessions students develop sufficient knowledge of staining methods, isolation techniques, microbial nutrition, biochemical activities and the characteristics of micro-organisms to independently identify unknown cultures.

This course focuses on the use of spectroscopic instruments in both qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis.  The emphasis in this course is on the use of spectroscopic instruments (AAS, FES, GFAA, ICP, UV/VIS, fluorometry, IR, NMR, MS, XRF, etc.) in the quantitative analysis of bio-molecules, organic compounds and inorganic chemicals.  These instruments will be addresses with regards to instrumentation, methods, sample preparation, applications and calculations.  The application of these instruments to common analytical procedures will be stressed.  Spectroscopy I consists of both a lecture and laboratory component.  In the lab, the students will be given extensive hands-on experience with a variety of spectroscopic instruments (AAS, FES, UV/VIS, fluorometry, IR, NIR).

Bio-Processing (BIOT 6131) is a one-semester course with one scheduled hour of lecture and three schedules hours of laboratory time per week. This project-based course is designed to allow students in the final semester of the Biotechnology Technologist program to put into practice the skills and knowledge that they have developed in their program, while working in a team environment.

The lecture time will be used to discuss the concepts applied in this course and to put them into the context of the business world. In the laboratory student teams will conducts two concurrent term projects consisting of pilot versions of biotechnological processes used to produce commercial products. In one project the teams will express and purify a functional enzyme from a micro-organism using chromatographic and affinity techniques. In the other project the teams will carry put a series of small-scale fermentations. In both projects students will run assays to test the success and quality of their processes and products.

Student will also develop a fundamental understanding of marketing, microeconomics, managerial accounting, corporate financing, and business strategy with respect to their chosen industry, and apply this knowledge to the analysis of a business case.

Bio-Regulations is a one-semester course with three scheduled hours of lecture per week.  This course will provide students with an in depth understanding of vital legislation, procedures and policies that exist to regulate all biotechnology-related workplaces.

This course continues and expands upon the concepts presented in Chromatography I.  A more detailed examination of the instrumentation and components used in HPLC, GC and IC is presented.  Sample preparation is examined along with the methods and applications of each instrument.  Troubleshooting strategies are presented and discussed for both HPLC and GC systems and chromatograms.  Other chromatographic systems (GC-MS, HPLC-MS, CE, SFC) will also be addressed.  Validation of chromatographic instruments is presented.  The laboratory component of this course allows the students to receive practical hands-on training on the HPLC, IC and GC and to apply the theory presented in lecture.

Placement is considered an important part as a technologist’s education, and student are required to obtain a minimum of 80 hours on the job placement in their chosen field and 5 hours of required workshops. There is no formal set of topics of instruction for placement but it must provide the student with practical experience in their chosen field. Each placement will be different as there will be a variety of organizations participating.  Students may achieve their placement requirement in various ways by completing one of the following:  

A summer position after second year related to their field of study.

Working on day a week during the fall and or winter academic school year.

Working during a block period of time such as the Christmas break, Reading week or in May after all courses work is completed.

Completing an internship for 4,8,12 or 16 months.

Applying for a prior work experience with proper approval and documentation.

Placement is approached as an actual job, with students attending interviews and being selected for positions by the employer. Students are to perform as technologists in training. A satisfactory completion is mandatory in order to graduate from Durham College. 

This course examines the relationship between micro-organisms, their human hosts and pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and medical devices. In lectures and labs, students further develop microbiological techniques to determine microbial populations and isolate specific spoilage micro-organisms. This is achieved by using conventional accredited laboratory methods including USP sterility, preservative challenge, and microbial limits testing methodology. Other topics include chemotherapeutic agents, their mode of action, resistance and susceptibility. Emerging pathogens and superbugs resistance to antimicrobial controls and their impact are studied. As well, students examine the methods of detecting antibiotic sensitivity and potency.

This is a one semester course covering various aspects of, and differences between, quality control and quality assurance. Focusing on the fact that quality has become a priority for many companies and many are certified to some type of quality standard. A brief history of the development of quality concepts will be covered, various quality standards will be studied along with quality measurables, problem solving techniques and continuous improvement.

This course addresses spectroscopic methods of analysis.  In particular, the application of these methods to the identification and structural analyses of organic compounds will be emphasized.  Infrared, ultraviolet, visible, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopy will be looked at in terms of basic theory, sampling, data collection, spectral evaluation and interpretation.  Correlation tables will be used to predict and identify the structure of a variety of organic compounds using spectra alone and in combination.  The laboratory component of this course provides hands-on experience using infrared, ultraviolet/visible, and atomic absorption, emission and fluorometry spectroscopies in addition to a number of other instrumental methods.