2008-2009 Undergraduate Calendar-Biotechnology

Last updated: February 4, 2009 @ 10:59AM

Biotechnology

Director
Doug Bruce

Participating Faculty
Jeffrey K. Atkinson (Chemistry), Michael J. Bidochka (Biological Sciences), Ian D. Brindle (Chemistry), Douglas H. Bruce (Biological Sciences), Robert L. Carlone (Biological Sciences), Alan J. Castle (Biological Sciences), Vincenzo De Luca (Biological Sciences), Charles Després (Biological Sciences), Travis Dudding (Chemistry), Heather Gordon (Chemistry), Yousef Haj-Ahmad (Biological Sciences), Tomas Hudlicky (Chemistry), Fiona Hunter (Biological Sciences), Deborah Inglis (Biological Sciences), Costa Metallinos (Chemistry), Gary Pickering (Biological Sciences), Andrew Reynolds (Biological Sciences), Adonis Skandalis (Biological Sciences), Gaynor Spencer (Biological Sciences), Edward Sternin (Physics), Art van der Est (Chemistry), Hongbin (Tony) Yan (Chemistry)

Director of Co-operative Programs
Cindy Dunne

Co-operative Program Co-ordinator
J.K. Atkinson

General Information

Administrative Assistant
Beulah Alexander

905-688-5550, extension 3115
Mackenzie Chown F204
http://www.brocku.ca/biotechnology/

Biotechnology is the use of living organisms to produce goods and services for practical and industrial purposes. Biotechnology has been used for centuries in fermentation and the making of bread and cheese, but today involves new scientific tools like genetic and protein engineering, cell fusion and production of monoclonal antibodies. Biotechnology is a strategic technology and an important economic component of industrialized nations. Biotechnology at Brock is a joint effort of the departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, with courses drawn from both departments plus courses designed specifically for the program.

The Biotechnology Co-op program combines academic and work terms over a period of five academic years. Students spend two years in an academic setting studying the fundamentals of Biotechnology prior to their first work placement. Successful completion of courses in the core areas of Biotechnology provides the necessary academic background for the work experience. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Biotechnology Co-op students are assessed an administrative fee for each work term (see the Schedule of Fees).

Eligibility to continue in the Biotechnology Co-op program is based on the student's major and non-major averages. A student with a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average may continue. A student with a major average lower than 70 percent will not be permitted to continue in the Biotechnology Co-op program, but may continue in the non-co-op Biotechnology stream. If a student subsequently raises his/her major average to 70 percent, the student may be readmitted only if approved by the Co-op Admissions Committee. For further information, see the Co-op Programs section of the Calendar, and contact the Centre for Biotechnology.

The Biotechnology Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have honours standing and who have successfully completed a minimum of twelve months of Co-op work experience.

Biotechnology with Introduction to Business
The Faculty of Mathematics and Science through the Centre for Biotechnology, in cooperation with the Faculty of Business, offers an 20 credit major program that combines the fundamentals of biotechnology with elective courses chosen from business. Such a program would be of interest to students who wish to pursue a career path in the business of biotechnology.

Admission to the Biotechnology with Business program is on the basis of marks. The normal requirement is a minimum 80 percent average on 6 grade 12U or 12M courses including one mathematics (minimum 70 percent required), Chemistry (minimum 70 percent required) and two from Biology, a second Mathematics or Physics.
Eligibility to continue is based on the student's major and non-major averages. Students with a minimum 75 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average will be permitted to continue in the Biotechnology with Business major program. If a student raises his/her major average to 75 percent, the student may be readmitted to the program only if approved by the Director of Biotechnology.

Students completing the prescribed program fulfill the requirements for a 20 credit BSc, with a major in Biotechnology and upon graduation, with an overall average of 80 percent, are eligible to apply for and be granted advanced credit (3.5 credits) towards admission to the MBA program offered in the Faculty of Business.

Students are directed to contact the Associate Dean of Mathematics and Science for enquiries concerning the BSc component of this program and the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies, Faculty of Business regarding placement in the MBA program.

Program Notes

CHEM 3P40 or 3P41 are strongly recommended as year 3 electives for students who intend to take BTEC 4F90 and 4F91 in the Department of Chemistry in year 4.
Students who anticipate doing graduate studies in Chemistry should have credit in CHEM 2P12, 2P32, 2P42, 3P21 and 3P40 or 3P41 in addition to the other required courses in CHEM.
In all 20 credit programs, at least 12 credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, six of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above and of these, three must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above. In all 15 credit degree programs, at least seven credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, three of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above.

Honours Program

Year 1

·	BIOL 1F90
·	CHEM 1F92
·	one of MATH 1P01 and 1P02, MATH 1P05 and 1P06 (recommended), MATH 1P97 and 1P98
·	PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended)
·	one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended)
·	one Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit

Year 2

·	BTEC 2P09 and 2P63
·	BIOL 2F01
·	CHEM 2P20 and 2P21
·	one of BIOL 2P05, 2P92, 2P94, 2P96, 2P98 (recommended), 2Q04
·	one of CHEM 2P12, 2P32, 2P42
·	the Humanities context credit or Social Science credit not taken in year 1

Year 3

·	BTEC 3P09 and 3P50
·	BTEC 3P62 or 3P93
·	BCHM 3P01 and 3P02
·	CHEM 3P20
·	one credit from BTEC 3P43, BCHM 3P25, BIOL 3P28, 3P51, CHEM 3P21, 3P40, 3P41, 3P60
·	one elective credit (see program notes 1 and 2)

Year 4

·	BTEC 3P62 or 3P93 (not taken in year 3)
·	BTEC 4F90 and 4F91 (see program note 1)
·	one credit from BTEC 4P06, 4P08, 4P11, 4P18, 4P21, 4P57, 4P58, BIOL 4P10, 4P51, 4P53
·	one of BTEC 4P27, 4P67, 4P68
·	one elective credit (see program note 2)

Biotechnology Co-op (Honours only)

Students admitted to the Biotechnology Co-op program must follow an approved program pattern. The most common pattern is listed below. For other approved patterns, consult the Co-op Office.

Year 1

·	BIOL 1F90
·	CHEM 1F92
·	one of MATH 1P01 and 1P02, MATH 1P05 and 1P06 (recommended), MATH 1P97 and 1P98
·	PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended)
·	one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended)
·	one Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit

Year 2

·	BTEC 2P09 and 2P63
·	BIOL 2F01
·	one of BIOL 2P05, 2P92, 2P94, 2P96, 2P98 (recommended), 2Q04
·	one of CHEM 2P12, 2P32, 2P42
·	CHEM 2P20 and 2P21
·	SCIE 0N90
·	the Humanities context credit or Social Science credit not taken in year 1

Spring/Summer Sessions:

BTEC 0N01

Year 3
Fall Term:

·	BTEC 3P09
·	BCHM 3P01
·	CHEM 3P20
·	one credit from BCHM 3P25, BIOL 3P28, 3P51, CHEM 3P40

Winter Term:

BTEC 0N02

Year 4
Fall Term:

BTEC 0N03

Winter Term:

·	BTEC 3P50
·	BTEC 3P62 or 3P93
·	BCHM 3P02
·	one credit from BTEC 3P43, CHEM 3P21, 3P41, 3P60

Year 5

·	BTEC 3P62 or 3P93 (not taken in year 4)
·	BTEC 4F90 and 4F91
·	one credit from BTEC 4P06, 4P08, 4P11, 4P18, 4P21, 4P57, 4P58, BIOL 4P51, 4P53
·	one of BTEC 4P27, 4P67, 4P68
·	one elective credit (see program note 2)

BSc with Major Program

Biotechnology with Introduction to Business

Year 1

·	ACTG 1P91
·	BIOL 1F90
·	CHEM 1F92
·	ECON 1P91 and 1P92
·	MATH 1P97 and 1P98
·	ITIS 1P97

Year 2

·	BTEC 2P09 and 2P63
·	ACTG 2P12
·	BIOL 2F01
·	one of BIOL 2P05, 2P92, 2P94, 2P96, 2P98 (recommended), 2Q04
·	CHEM 2P20 and 2P21
·	one Humanities context credit

Year 3

·	BTEC 3P09 and 3P50
·	BTEC 3P62 or 3P93
·	BCHM 3P01 and 3P02
·	one credit from BTEC 3P43, BCHM 3P25, BIOL 3P28, 3P51, CHEM 3P20, 3P21, 3P40, 3P41, 3P60
·	ECON 2P91
·	MKTG 2P91
·	OPER 2P91

Year 4

·	BTEC 3P62 or 3P93 (not taken in Year 3)
·	one and one-half credits from BTEC 4P06, 4P08, 4P11, 4P18, 4P21, 4P57, 4P58, BIOL 4P10, 4P51, 4P53
·	one of BTEC 4P27 or 4P68
·	FNCE 2P91
·	ITIS 2P91
·	MGMT 3P98
·	OBHR 2P91
·	one-half non-business elective credit

Pass Program

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree.

Description of Courses

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

# Indicates a cross listed course
* Indicates primary offering of a cross listed course

Prerequisites and Restrictions

Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
BTEC 2P09
Introduction to Biotechnology
Traditional and modern biotechnology. Topics include fermentation processes, medical, agricultural and forensic applications; as well as gene cloning and expression.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1F90 and CHEM 1F92.

BTEC 2P63
Introduction to Biophysical Chemistry
(also offered as CHEM 2P63)
Physical chemistry as applied to biological sciences. Introductory thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibria and transport phenomena as applied to proteins, biological membranes and other biological systems. Laboratory work includes kinetic measurements, equilibrium constant measurements and protein purification and characterization.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1F92; one of MATH 1P01 and 1P02, MATH 1P05 and 1P06 (preferred), or MATH 1P97.

BTEC 3P09
Bioreactor Processes
Fermentation technology and bioprocessing; the kinetics and thermodynamics of fermentation. Topics include batch and continuous fermentation, biomass production (single-cell proteins), immobilized systems, by-product recovery and scale-up.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Prerequisite: BTEC 2P63.

BTEC 3P43
Applied Microbiology
(also offered as BIOL 3P43)
Ecology of micro-organisms and special adaptations that permit their use in biotechnology and applied microbiology.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2P98 or permission of the instructor.

BTEC 3P50
Molecular Genetics
(also offered as BIOL 3P50)
Topics include the genetic code and information flow from nucleic acids to proteins, RNA and protein synthesis; prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes; gene organization; transcription, RNA processing; codon usage; enhancer and transposons.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week for 6 weeks.
Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2F01 or permission of the instructor.

BTEC 3P62
Bio-organic Chemistry
(also offered as CHEM 3P62)
Mechanistic description of the biosynthesis and metabolism of natural products including alkaloids, terpenes and acetate-derived compounds. Selected examples of biologically/medicinally active classes of natural products along with their physiological modes of activity.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Prerequisite: CHEM 2P21.

BTEC 3P93
Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
(also offered as CHEM 3P93)
Structure and chemistry of proteins and nucleic acids. Selected aspects of transcription, translation, protein folding, post-translational modification, targeting, synthesis and sequencing, and detection techniques.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Prerequisite: CHEM 2P21.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in BTEC (CHEM) 3P63.

BTEC 4F90
Research Project
Experimental research carried out under faculty supervision.
Restriction: permission of the Director.

BTEC 4F91
Thesis
The thesis will incorporate the results of the research project and will form the basis of a seminar presented by the student.
Restriction: open to BTEC majors with approval to year 4 (honours).
Co-requisite: BTEC 4F90.

BTEC 4P06
Bioinformatics
(also offered as BCHM 4P06 and BIOL 4P06)
Genome sequencing projects, gene discovery and gene expression. DNA/RNA/Protein sequence data, including mutagenic processes, molecular evolution and systematics, codon usage, reconstruction of ancient molecules, and prediction of higher-level molecular structure.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours))/BEd (intermediate/Senior), BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specifed in registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Note: BTEC 3P50, BCHM 3P02, BIOL 3P80 and MATH 1P98 are recommended.

BTEC 4P08
Topics in Plant and Microbial Biotechnology
(also offered as BCHM 4P08 and BIOL 4P08)
Characterization of biochemical processes and structures. Genetic modification of such processes and structures through molecular manipulation to meet scientific and/or societal needs. Examples include yeast and microbial enzymes or enzyme systems as well as crop proteins and enzymes.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours))/BEd (intermediate/Senior), BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specifed in registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite: one of BTEC 3P50, 3P93 (3P63), BCHM 3P01, 3P02 or permission of the instructor.

BTEC 4P11
Theory of Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
(also offered as BCHM 4P11 and BIOL 4P11)
Theory behind basic and some advanced techniques in nucleic acid and protein manipulations and analysis.
Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overalls credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite: BIOL 2F01.

BTEC 4P18
Computational Chemistry: Applications in Biotechnology
(also offered as CHEM 4P18)
Structure-based drug design, molecular modelling, conformational search techniques, secondary and tertiary protein structure prediction, quantitative structure activity relationships and bioinformatics.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 13.5 overall credits.
Prerequisite: BTEC 2P63 or CHEM 2P12.

BTEC 4P21
Mutagenesis in Disease and Biotechnology
(also offered as BCHM 4P21 and BIOL 4P21)
Exploration of the various mechanisms of mutagenesis of the genetic material, how they contribute to disease and how they can be adapted to produce new biomolecules.
Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours))/BEd (intermediate/Senior), BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specifed in registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite: BTEC 3P50 or BCHM 3P02.

BTEC 4P27
Enzyme and Co-enzyme Mechanisms
(also offered as CHEM 4P27)
Hydrolytic and other processes catalyzed by enzymes lacking non-protein prosthetic groups; transferase reactions involving biotin, pyridoxal phosphate, thiamine pyrophosphate, folic acid and cobalamin; oxidation mechanisms involving pyridine nucleotides, flavoenzymes, hydroperoxidases and oxygenases.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisites: BCHM 3P01, 3P02 and CHEM 2P21.

BTEC 4P51
Molecular Virology
(also offered as BIOL 4P51)
Bacterial and animal viruses. Topics include biochemical properties, virus-host interaction, productive cycle, effect of virus on host cell and organism, viral vectors and gene therapy, recombinant viral vaccines and origin of virus.
Lectures, seminar, 2 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours))/BEd (intermediate/Senior), BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specifed in registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite: BTEC 3P50 or permission of the instructor.

BTEC 4P57
Bacterial Genetics
(also offered as BIOL 4P57)
Molecular and transmission genetics of bacteria. Bacterial genetics from early descriptions of transformation and transduction to current developments in molecular genetics.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours))/BEd (intermediate/Senior), BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specifed in registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisites: BTEC 3P50 and BIOL 2P98 or permission of the instructor.

BTEC 4P58
Fungal Genetics
(also offered as BIOL 4P58)
Transmission and molecular genetics of fungi. Recent advances in gene manipulation and the contribution of studies on these organisms to general genetic principles.
Lectures, seminar, 2 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours))/BEd (intermediate/Senior), BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specifed in registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite: one of BTEC 3P50, BIOL 2P96, 3P51 or permission of the instructor.

BTEC 4P67
Biophysical Techniques
(also offered as BCHM 4P67 and CHEM 4P67)
Modern instrumental methods of biotechnology emphasizing understanding theory. Development of newer technologies which utilize biological components. Topics include optical, X-ray and NMR techniques, separation techniques, hybridization assays, immunoassays, biosensors and mass spectral techniques; membrane chemistry.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisites: BTEC 2P63 and CHEM 2P21 or permission of the instructor.

BTEC 4P68
Biotransformations
(also offered as CHEM 4P68)
The organic reactions carried out by isolated enzymes, fungal cultures and bacteria. The production of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial chemicals by biological processes.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite: one of BTEC 3P62, 3P63, CHEM 3P20 or permission of the instructor.

CO-OP COURSES
BTEC 0N01
Work Placement I
First Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.
Restriction: open to BTEC Co-op students.

BTEC 0N02
Work Placement II
Second Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.
Restriction: open to BTEC Co-op students.

BTEC 0N03
Work Placement III
Third Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.
Restriction: open to BTEC Co-op students.

BTEC 0N04
Work Placement IV
Optional Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.
Restriction: open to BTEC Co-op students.

BTEC 0N05
Work Placement V
Optional Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.
Restriction: open to BTEC Co-op students.