Biotechnology

Biotechnology is one of Canada’s most unique programs. You'll gain cross discipline training through two years of learning laboratory skills at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and through two years of learning scientific theory at the University of British Columbia (UBC). The program will assist you in finding a job placement that will put you at the cutting edge of science and will give you an opportunity to put into practice what you have learned in school. Your work experience will take the form of three four-month work placements at a variety of organizations in Canada and potentially internationally. You must complete all three work terms in order to receive a co-op designation on your transcript. Your first work term placement starts after the completion of your first academic year within the program. You will also be given a choice of following one of three customized schedules to accommodate the completion of your academic requirements.

Application Deadlines

Students must first be accepted into the 2-year BCIT Biotechnology program.

 

Apply to Science Co-op Now

We’ll run you through the application requirements, and then you’ll be prompted to create an account in SCOPE, the UBC Science Co-op Information System.

Application Requirements

 

Work-Term Schedules

    BCIT Terms   UBC Terms

Schedule A

 

Year Fall Winter Summer
1 1st Year College / University Transfer
2 Study Term 1 Study Term 2 Work Term 1
3 Study Term 3 Study Term 4 Work Term 2
4 Study Term 5 Work Term 3 Work Term 4
5 Study Term 6 Study Term 7        -

Schedule B

Year Fall Winter Summer
1 1st Year College / University Transfer
2 Study Term 1 Study Term 2 Work Term 1
3 Study Term 3 Study Term 4 Work Term 2
4 Work Term 3 Study Term 5 Work Term 4
5 Study Term 6 Study Term 7        -

Schedule C

Year Fall Winter Summer
1 1st Year College / University Transfer
2 Study Term 1 Study Term 2 Work Term 1
3 Study Term 3 Study Term 4 Work Term 2
4 Study Term 5 Study Term 6 Work Term 3
5 Work Term 4 Study Term 7        -

The above schedules are highly recommended by the Co-op Program in order for students to complete their program within the shortest time frame. Alternate scheduling is available in consultation with your Co-op Coordinator. 

Sample Jobs and Companies

Inimex Pharmaceuticals
Processing samples obtained from in vivo experiments. Enumeration of bacterial load both prior and post infection. Preparation of growth media and plates, analyzing samples using microscopy, ELISA technology and molecular biology techniques.
Stemcell Technologies
Development and validation of immunomagnetic cell separation methods to isolate specific cell types (human and/or mouse) from a mixed cell suspension by labeling either the desired cells or the unwanted cells with specific monoclonal antibodies and magnetic nanoparticles, and then selecting the labeled cells (positive selection) or unlabelled cells (negative selection), respectively. Testing the effect of various parameters on the effectiveness of the cell separation, and analysis of the cell samples by flow cytometry and cell culture. Responsible for preparing reports and data for presentation at lab meetings, collaborating with the Production and QC departments in production and testing of products, and maintaining lab equipment, ordering lab supplies, stocking lab shelves etc.

 

Apply to Science Co-op Now

We’ll run you through the application requirements, and then you’ll be prompted to create an account in SCOPE, the UBC Science Co-op Information System.

Made a mistake on your application?

Just log into SCOPE and edit your application. For technical support contact science.coop@ubc.ca.

Explore Biotechnology: Visit the department site.