Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Diploma

Program at a glance

Credential

Diploma

Work experience

Co-op / internship

Study options

Full-time

Part-time

Open to International

Yes

Area of study

Natural Sciences

Length

2 years

University Transfer

Take the courses you need with tuition costs 30% less than BC universities.

40+ subjects

Inspired by science?

Creative, meticulous and evidence-based 鈥� if you're interested in the variety of skills needed to make amazing scientific discoveries, this program is for you. Prepare for a career in cancer research, environmental protection, drug discovery, vaccine research and more. You can work straight out of the program in a wide range of labs, including those associated with biomedical and health-related biotechnology, forestry, fisheries, mining, agriculture, oceanography and the environment. Or, if your goal is a bachelor of science degree, you can transfer into third year studies at a BC university.

Whatever your goal, we can help

The two-year ACBT diploma program prepares you for听laboratory work听in areas such as cancer research, microbial disease research, drug development, plant biotech, or environmental protection.

You will benefit from the听mentorship and guidance from dedicated faculty, whether your goal is employment in a lab, further study or simply a solid foundation for another educational experience.

Science Help Centre
Improve your academic skills. From science basics to advanced topics, there's a Help Centre for you. Refresh your skills, work on your assignments with our support, or get tutoring on specific subjects.

Access dedicated labs for program students

The department houses a number of dedicated labs where students gain experience in the analysis of organics, inorganics, and biomolecules. Students will receive training in lab safety, good lab practices, and lab technique. In addition, the tools or instruments chemists and biochemists use for analysis are a big part of their training. Students receive hands on training pertaining to the operation and use of lab instruments.

Instrumentation Lab

Two Atomic Absorption Spectrometers (flame and graphite furnace atomizer) for the analysis of metals
Gas Chromatograph (dual column with flame ionization and conductivity detector) for the analysis of volatile organics such as components in biodiesel and simple hydrocarbons.
Two Agilent Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometers (GC/MS) for analysis of organic compounds at low concentrations such as parts-per-billion. Example compounds include pesticides in fruits and vegetables or PAH鈥檚 in water and sediment. Automated online extraction instrumentation such as solid phase micro-extraction is in use in 2nd year courses and in听.
High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph with UV/Vis and Fluorescence detectors with data acquisition software for quantitative analysis of chemicals such as Bisphenol A
UV/Vis scanning Spectrophotometers, IR Spectrophotometers, & Polarimeters for structural analysis of organic compounds
Ion selective electrodes (e.g. Calcium, Fluoride, and Lead) are used in water quality testing etc.

Wet Chemistry Labs

Analytical top loading balances and pH meters
Standard volumetric and general laboratory glassware
Extensive glassware used for organic and inorganic synthesis
Solid phase extraction equipment and rotary evaporators are sometimes used to prepare samples for analysis

Biotechnology, Immunology, Biochemistry Lab

Equipment for the biochemical analyses of cells and metabolites including blood glucose and cholesterol.
Equipment and facilities for gene cloning and other recombinant DNA technologies
Biosafety hoods and incubators for bacterial culture and tissue culture
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) thermocyclers for amplification of cloned genes and human DNA including qPCR instrumentation for the quantitation of gene copy number and gene expression levels.
ELISA plate reader & other immunological assay equipment for the identification and quantification of antibodies or pathogenic bacteria
Western blotting apparatus for identification of vaccine components
Microfuge & high-speed refrigerated centrifuges for cell, DNA, RNA and protein isolation
Gel-permeation, ion-exchange & affinity column chromatography for protein or DNA purification
SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) equipment for the identification and characterization of proteins
Agarose gel electrophoresis equipment for gene analyses
Imaging analysis equipment and computer facilities for structure/function analyses of DNA, RNA and protein