Biotechnology

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About Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the scientific manipulation of living organisms, especially at the molecular genetic level. One of the biggest applications of biotechnology is the genetic engineering of certain food crops to incorporate desirable traits in them, such as disease or pest resistance. Computers are used to closely study the genetic structure of organisms and tools such as the 'gene gun' are used to introduce desirable genes into the DNA of organisms. Biotechnology is also vital to the medical field in creating new medicines, as well as applicable to the environmental sector, for example in the development of bacteria that consume toxic chemicals and reduce pollution. There are also much older forms of biotechnology that include biological techniques used for brewing wine and beer, and for making bread and cheese.

 

Program Details

The Honours Biotechnology program is offered in cooperation with BCIT. Students complete a 30-credit first-year program at UBC and then move to BCIT for two years, returning to UBC for about two years of academic and co-op work terms. The combination of theoretical and practical studies focused on microbiology and related disciplines is designed for students hoping to work in the growing biotechnology sector of our economy.

Skills

  • Collaboration with cross-discipline laboratory teams 
  • Presentation of technical and scientific data to non-technical audiences 
  • Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills 
  • Compliance with quality control and safety regulations 
  • Analytical method development or validation (QA/QC) 
  • Use of ELISA, PCR, CRISPR technology in plant and animal cells, gel-electrophoresis, western blot, protein purification, isolation and characterization, bacterial culture, cell passaging, and plant micropropagation 
  • Use of instruments for bioinformatics, gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, fermenters, microscopy, liquid chromatography-triple quad mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Programs offered

  • Honours, Biotechnology

Resources

Career Options

With an undergraduate degree

  • Bio-production operator 
  • Biotechnology lab technician
  • Food and drug inspector
  • Product testing associate
  • Technical Writer

With additional study

  • Bioinformaticist 
  • Biomedical engineer 
  • Bioservices scientist 
  • Biotechnical scientist 
  • Clinical research coordinator 
  • Epidemiologist
  • Health care administrator 
  • Occupational therapist
  • Patent attorney
  • Pharmaceutical or medicinal chemist
  • Toxicologist
  • Veterinarian

UBC Science Biotechnology Graduates Work As

  • MSc Candidate in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto 
  • Research Technologist, STEMCELL Technologies 
  • PhD Candidate in Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia 
  • Research Assistant, BC Cancer Agency 
  • PhD Candidate in Molecular and Cellular Pathology, University of Michigan

Related Professional Groups

More Career Resources

Honours: First-Year Requirements

Honours (1136): Biotechnology
  • Science honours requirements, sessional avg >= 70% and 6 cr ENGL 1** or WRDS 1** or SCIE 113 or other eligible communication courses (3 of these 6 cr may be completed during summer session following Year 1).
  • AND
  • SCIE 001
OR
  • Science honours requirements, sessional avg >= 70% and 6 cr ENGL 1** or WRDS 1** or SCIE 113 or other eligible communication courses (3 of these 6 cr may be completed during summer session following Year 1).
  • AND the following Biology + Chemistry + Mathematics + Physics
  • 6 credits from BIOL 111, BIOL 112, BIOL 121
  • or transfer equivalents
  • AND
  • One of CHEM 111 or CHEM 121 or CHEM 141 AND  CHEM 123
  • or 8 transfer credits CHEM 1**
  • AND
  • MATH 100 or MATH 110 or MATH 120
  • or 3 transfer credits of MATH 1** (differential calculus)
  • AND
  • Physics 12 or PHYS 100
  • or 3 transfer credits of PHYS 1**

Meet Our Alumni

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We honour xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) on whose ancestral, unceded territory UBC Vancouver is situated. UBC Science is committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples so we can advance Reconciliation and ensure traditional ways of knowing enrich our teaching and research.

Learn more: Musqueam First Nation

Faculty of Science

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