Biotechnology (Gr. Cert.) (16 credits)
Offered by: Parasitology (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Program credit weight: 16
Program Description
The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology focuses on biotechnology and the latest molecular biology techniques.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Required Courses (10 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOT 505 | Selected Topics in Biotechnology. | 3 |
Selected Topics in Biotechnology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Current methods and recent advances in biological, medical, agricultural and engineering aspects of biotechnology will be described and discussed. An extensive reading list will complement the lecture material. | ||
| BTEC 620 | Biotechnology Laboratory 1. | 4 |
Biotechnology Laboratory 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Practical training in contemporary methods of molecular and cellular biology. Intended for students with background in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related area, who are already familiar with theoretical principles of recombinant DNA technologies. Topics include: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), methods for gene cloning and mutagenesis, eukaryotic and prokaryotic gene expression systems, protein purification and methods of eukaryotic cell culture. | ||
| BTEC 621 | Biotechnology Management. | 3 |
Biotechnology Management. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Topics relevant to the management of research in industry are presented by experts working in industry. This course highlights the differences existing between research done in an academic environment and research done within industry. | ||
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
Two courses chosen from the following:
General Topics
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BINF 511 | Bioinformatics for Genomics. | 3 |
Bioinformatics for Genomics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Bioinformatics methods and reasoning in relation to genomics, proteomics and metabolomics strategies with an emphasis on functional genomics data. The course will cover introduction to UNIX, Perl programming, data processing and integration, file parsing, relational database design and implementation, angled towards solutions relevant for genomics. | ||
| BIOL 524 | Topics in Molecular Biology. | 3 |
Topics in Molecular Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Molecular genetics and molecular, cellular and developmental biology, including signal transduction, cell differentiation and function, genetic diseases in eukaryotes. | ||
| BIOL 568 | Topics on the Human Genome. | 3 |
Topics on the Human Genome. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Cellular and molecular approaches to characterization of the human genome. | ||
| BTEC 501 | Bioinformatics. | 3 |
Bioinformatics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course introduces the application of computer software for analysis of biological sequence information. An emphasis is placed on the biological theory behind analytical techniques, the algorithms used and methods of developing a statistical framework for various types of analysis. | ||
| BTEC 502 | Biotechnology Ethics and Society. | 3 |
Biotechnology Ethics and Society. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Examination of particular social and ethical challenges posed by modern biotechnology such as benefit sharing, informed consent in the research setting, access to medical care worldwide, environmental safety and biodiversity and the ethical challenges posed by patenting life. | ||
| BTEC 535 | Functional Genomics in Model Organisms. | 3 |
Functional Genomics in Model Organisms. Terms offered: Winter 2026 An overview of strategies used to understand the function of genes, especially those identified through genome sequencing and bioinformatics. Use of model organisms that have proved particularly valuable for this purpose. | ||
| BTEC 555 | Structural Bioinformatics. | 3 |
Structural Bioinformatics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Fundamentals of protein structure and the application of tools for structure determination, how protein structure allows us to understand the complex biological functions, and how knowledge of protein structure can contribute to drug discovery. | ||
| EXMD 602 | Techniques in Molecular Genetics. | 3 |
Techniques in Molecular Genetics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Precise description of available methods in molecular genetics, and rationales for choosing particular techniques to answer questions posed in research proposals for targeting genes in the mammalian genome. Emphasis placed on analysis of regulation of gene expression and mapping, strategies for gene cloning. Course divided between lectures and student seminars. | ||
Health
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EXMD 610 | Molecular Methods in Medical Research. | 3 |
Molecular Methods in Medical Research. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Different molecular methods used in biomedical research, including chromatography, purification and analysis of proteins and nucleic acids, various techniques in molecular biology, transgenic technology, and stem cells. Lectures, some demonstrations, and short seminars given by the students. | ||
| PARA 635 | Cell Biology and Infection. | 3 |
Cell Biology and Infection. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Research articles will be the primary source of information. This course will cover new principles in cell biology. In particular, the mechanisms by which gene expression is regulated through signal transduction pathways initiated at the cell surface will be presented. | ||
| PHGY 518 | Artificial Cells. | 3 |
Artificial Cells. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physiology, biotechnology, chemistry and biomedical application of artificial cells, blood substitutes, immobilized enzymes, microorganisms and cells, hemoperfusion, artificial kidneys, and drug delivery systems. PHGY 517 and PHGY 518 when taken together, will give a complete picture of this field. However, the student can select one of these. | ||
Environment and Food
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BREE 530 | Fermentation Engineering. | 3 |
Fermentation Engineering. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced topics in food and fermentation engineering are covered, including brewing, bioreactor design and control and microbial kinetics. | ||