Centennial College's Biotechnology Fast-Track program was created for qualified college or university graduates wishing to receive a diploma in one year (two semesters). By gaining direct admission into the second year (third semester) of the two-year Biotechnology program, students will be trained to work as a laboratory technician for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

This program will offer detailed practical training in microbiology and chemistry (analytical, organic and biochemistry). Laboratory techniques including aseptic technique and appropriate safety procedures will be extensively highlighted. A special feature of this diploma program is its project-focused approach, with independently designed microbiology projects that will enhance students' problem-solving and research skills.

Students will learn to: • Isolate, enumerate and identify microorganisms from many types of samples (water, soil, air, the human body, food, and pharmaceutical and cosmetic products); • Prepare specimens for staining, becoming an expert light-microscopist; • Become proficient in aseptic handling of materials; • Accurately calibrate and use a range of instruments such as pH and BOD meters, gas chromatographs, spectrophotometers (regular/IR/UV) and HPLCs; • Prepare microbiological media and reagents, and culture pathogenic microbes; • Design and perform their own microbiology experiments; • Use microorganisms to assay pharmaceutical products;

Students will have the option of graduating as a biotechnician in one year or continuing for a second year to study specialized topics such as microbial genetics, systematic microbiology and environmental microbiology to graduate with an Advanced Biotechnology diploma.