Program Requirements
The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology focuses on biotechnology and the latest molecular biology techniques.
Required Courses (10 credits)
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BIOT 505 Selected Topics in Biotechnology (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : 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.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Harpp, David Noble; Schwarcz, Joseph A (Fall)
Fall
Restriction: U3 students
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BTEC 620 Biotechnology Laboratory 1 (4 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : 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.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Cestari, Igor (Fall)
one 8-hour lab per week
The fee of $1196.78 is used to support the cost of chemical reagents, kits, disposables and minor equipment necessary to run this hands-on laboratory course.
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BTEC 621 Biotechnology Management (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : 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.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Salavati, Reza (Fall)
one 3-hour lecture per week
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
Two courses chosen from the following:
General Topics
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ANSC 622 Experimental Techniques in Animal Science (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Practical exposure to three research groups in the Department of Animal Science (choices determined by interest of the student, availability of research in a given lab at that time, and in consultation with the student鈥檚 assigned supervisor); emphasis on lab goals, etiquette, and techniques, as observed by shadowing research group members (staff, post-doctoral fellows, PhD students); journal of each rotation as well as background research into current experimental procedures. Disciplines available: Reproductive Biotechnology; Animal Disease; Ruminant Nutrition; Epigenetics; Dairy Information Systems; Big Data Analyses; Animal Breeding; Dairy Cattle Welfare; Food Safety.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
1 lecture and 2 seminars
Restriction(s): Permission of Supervisor in consultation with three available rotation researchers.
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BINF 511 Bioinformatics for Genomics (3 credits)
Overview
Bioinformatics : 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.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Stromvik, Martina (Winter)
Prerequisite: Understanding of cell and molecular biology (equivalent to a cell or molecular biology course) or permission from instructor.
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BIOL 524 Topics in Molecular Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Molecular genetics and molecular, cellular and developmental biology, including signal transduction, cell differentiation and function, genetic diseases in eukaryotes.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Clarke, Hugh; Dankort, David (Fall)
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BIOL 568 Topics on the Human Genome (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Cellular and molecular approaches to characterization of the human genome.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Engert, Jamie; Slim, Rima; Montpetit, Alexandre; Sladek, Robert; Zawati, Ma'n Hilmi; Bailey, Swneke; Najafabadi, Hamed; Yamanaka, Yojiro; Langlais, David; Nadaf, Javad (Winter)
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BTEC 501 Bioinformatics (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : 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.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Xia, Jianguo; Mirzavand Borujeni, Poorya (Fall)
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BTEC 502 Biotechnology Ethics and Society (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : 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.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction: U3 and over.
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BTEC 535 Functional Genomics in Model Organisms (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : 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.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite: 300-level course in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Limited to 30 students.
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BTEC 555 Structural Bioinformatics (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : 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.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Salavati, Reza; Sulea, Traian; Mirzavand Borujeni, Poorya (Winter)
Winter
1-hr lecture, followed by 2 hrs of computer lab.
Prerequisite: Molecular biology or biochemistry, and basic bioinformatics, or permission of instructor.
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BTEC 691 Biotechnology Practicum (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : The cooperating employer and the instructor (or designate) will develop an individualized practicum experience program of at least 12 weeks duration for each student.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite: BTEC 620
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EXMD 511 Joint Venturing with Industry (3 credits)
Overview
Experimental Medicine : Using problem-based learning, the course examines the various business interactions between researchers and their business partners in support and development of research into commercial endeavours using models such as venture capital, business partnerships, or grants-in-aid.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Winter
Offered in conjunction with the Centre for Continuing Education
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EXMD 602 Techniques in Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Experimental Medicine : 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.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Radzioch, Danuta; Gregorieff, Alex; Cournoyer, Denis; Schurr, Erwin; Engert, Jamie; Bailey, Swneke; Przybyl, Joanna; Cuella Martin, Raquel (Winter)
Offered in conjunction with the Department of Experimental Medicine.
Prerequisite (Graduate): Admission by permission of instructor.
Health
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EXMD 610 Molecular Methods in Medical Research (3 credits)
Overview
Experimental Medicine : 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.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Rousseau, Simon; Fonseca, Gregory (Winter)
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PARA 635 Cell Biology and Infection (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : 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.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Rohrbach, Petra (Winter)
Prerequisite: students with some background in molecular biology
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PHGY 518 Artificial Cells (3 credits)
Overview
Physiology : 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.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Chang, Thomas Ming Swi; Shum-Tim, Dominique; Prakash, Satya; Hoesli, Corinne; Chen, Guojun (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite (Undergraduate): permission of instructors.
Environment and Food
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BREE 530 Fermentation Engineering (3 credits)
Overview
Bioresource Engineering : Advanced topics in food and fermentation engineering are covered, including brewing, bioreactor design and control and microbial kinetics.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite (Undergraduate): BREE 305 or equivalent
Graduate courses available to senior undergraduates with permission of the instructor
A fee of $121.94 covers the cost of the fermentation laboratory consumables and transportation costs for field trips which may include a brewery, winery and other fermentation operations
