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Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Diploma
Discover all that you can do with science. This program will prepare you for a career in lab work or transfer into the third year of a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or microbiology.
Creative, meticulous and evidence-based — 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 laboratory work in areas such as cancer research, microbial disease research, drug development, plant biotech, or environmental protection.
You will benefit from the 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.
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 (ppb). Example compounds include pesticides in fruits and vegetables or PAH’s in water and sediment. Automated online extraction instrumentation such as solid phase micro-extraction is in use in 2nd year courses and in applied research projects.
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
In your first year, you will take three academic terms (fall, winter and spring). Courses include a foundation in biology, chemistry, English, math and physics.
Year 2
Build on your solid fundamental understanding of modern techniques in biotechnology with two more terms to deepen your skills in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and immunology.
Optional Internship
After your second year, you can take an optional internship (minimum 300 hours) after completion of all the program courses. Students usually complete the work term between May and August.
Work experience
The optional internship enables you to try out potential careers. In your second year, you'll have the opportunity to carry out a major project at an external laboratory.
This leads to an enhanced diploma with greater skills and work-related experience in your field of interest.
A foundation for further study
The majority of courses in the core program have university transfer credit. If you intend to pursue degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, immunology, biotechnology or microbiology you should consider this program as the first two years of your degree. This program also fits well with a pre-medical school studies plan.
You can apply for admission, with afull block transferof your courses, to the third year of the BSc Environmental Sciences program or BSc Environmental Management at Royal Roads University or any program within the School of Environmental Sustainability.
Effective from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023
Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Diploma
$8,860* (domestic)
$35,520** (international)
Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Diploma, Internship designation
$9,648* (domestic)
$37,120** (international)
*Figures are approximate. Tuition estimates are for the entire program. Tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.
Camosun College is fiercely proud of the excellent quality of its instruction. Our teaching staff are experienced, inspiring and supportive of our students' individual journeys.
Faculty/staff profile
Steve McKinnon
Program Leader, ACBT
I first became interested in teaching while I was a graduate student at the University of Victoria, teaching laboratory classes and tutorials. While I ...
My passion for teaching began at the University of Victoria in 2008 where I worked as a Sessional Instructor. I moved to Camosun College the following ...
My interest in Chemistry started in first year at UVic. After doing research on potential for work as a laboratory technician, I realized that I neede ...
My interest in teaching chemistry comes from a desire to engage students, and empower them to understand how chemistry is so intertwined with the worl ...
David began teaching courses as a sessional instructor at Camosun College in 2011, and joined the Chemistry Department faculty in 2014. He completed h ...
Mr. Surridge received his BSc (1998) from the University of British Columbia and his MSc (2000) in Organic Chemistry from the University of Calgary. T ...