Honours Bachelor of Applied Technology - Biotechnology
London, Canada
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
120 weeks
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
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.
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's degree in Biotechnology, you'll have eight semesters of academic study and at least four months of related co-op experience to prepare you for work in these exciting areas.
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.
In this biotechnology program, you will learn:
- Plant and animal tissue culture applied biotechnology methods including PCR and qPCR, microbiology, virology, DNA and RNA, protein and lipid purification and analysis, instrumental chemistry, and economic, ethical, and environmental issues. During your four-month required co-op, you'll hone your research skills and develop the interpersonal and communication expertise necessary for life beyond the degree.
This program is a four-year, eight-level honours program with four months of mandatory co-op experience. This program will prepare graduates for jobs in growth areas of Applied Biotechnology such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, agriculture, bioremediation, the fermentation industry, chemical purification, and 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 lifelong learning.
CIP Code: 26.1201
Co-Op Opportunites
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 work 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.
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
- Chemistry 1
- Molecular Biology
- Mathematics 1
- Computers and Applications
Group 2
Level 2
In addition to the following mandatory courses, please refer to the Non-Core Level 2 requirement below
- Chemistry 2
- Physics 1
- Plant and Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Mathematics 2
Group 3
Level 3
In addition to the following mandatory courses please refer to the Non-Core Level 3 requirement below
- Analytical Chemistry 1
- Physics 2
- Microbiology 1
- Co-Op Educ. Employment Prep
- Statistics and Quality Assurance
Group 4
Level 4
- BIOL-7004 ---- Genetics
- PHYS-7003 ---- Radiation Physics
- CHEM-7005 ---- Organic Chemistry 1
- COMP-7003 ---- Advanced Computer Applications
- SFTY-7001 ---- Occupational Health and Safety
Group 5
Level 5
- Biochemistry 1
- Instrumental Chemistry Analysis 1
- Microbiology 2- Industrial Applications
- Organic Chemistry 2
Group 6
Level 6
In addition to the following mandatory courses, please refer to the Non-Core Level 6 requirement below
- Applied Molecular Genetics
- Instrumental Chemistry Analysis 2
- Pharmacology/Toxicology and Nutraceutical
- Research and Technical Writing
- Biochemistry 2
- Animal Care and Handling
Group 7
Level 7
In addition to the following mandatory courses please refer to the Non-Core Level 7 requirement below
- Analytical Chemistry 2
- Applied Biotechnology 1
- Bioinformatics
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Biosafety and Regulatory Affairs
- Thesis
Group 8
Level 8
In addition to the following mandatory courses, please refer to the Non-Core Level 8 requirement below
- Applied Biotechnology 2
- Bioethics
- Current Topics in Biotechnology
- Manufacturing Process Engineering
- Microbiology 3-Immunology and Virology
Group 9
Co-op Requirement
Students Must Complete 1 Co-op Work Term
- BIO2 Co-op Work Term
Non-Core Courses
Take all of the following Mandatory (Non-Core) Courses: The Minimum Cumulative GPA for Non-Core courses is 2.0
Group 1
Level 1
- Environmental and World Issues
- Introductory Communications
Group 2
Level 3
- Professional Writing for Applied Degrees
- History and Philosophy of Sciences
Group 3
Level 8
- Macroeconomics
Group 4
Take 3 General Education Elective Credits at either the Introductory or Upper Level - Normally taken in Level 2
Group 5
Take 9 General Education Elective Credits at the Upper Level (Non-Introductory) - Normally taken in Levels 6, 7 and 8
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Perform all laboratory tasks according to accepted laboratory practices.
- Demonstrate theoretical and practical skills in molecular biology.
- Assist in the design of good experimental and laboratory management practices and procedures.
- Obtain a sound practical background in the interdisciplinary subjects that are the basis of Biotechnology.
- Perform all duties in a manner that adheres to the principles of good data management.
- Conduct all functions with a full understanding of and in adherence to relevant regulatory and ethical issues and requirements.
- Apply procedures of bio-processing in both laboratory and industrial settings.
- Apply strong interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills to course teamwork, assignments, and case situations.
- Understand, value, and respect the diverse social, political, cultural, and ethical contexts in which he or she will live and work.
- Develop plans for lifelong learning that include strategies for ensuring professional and technological currency.
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
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.
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.
