2020-2021 Undergraduate Calendar

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.

All students in the Co-operative Education program are required to read, sign and adhere to the terms of the Student Regulations Waiver and Co-op Student Manuals (brocku.ca/co-op/current-students/co-op-student-manuals) as articulated by the Co-op Programs Office. In addition, eligibility to continue in the co-op option is based on the student's major average and non-major average, and the ability to demonstrate the motivation and potential to pursue a professional career.

Each four-month co-operative education work term must be registered. Once students are registered in a co-op work term, they are expected to fulfill their commitment. If the placement accepted is for more than one four-month work term, students are committed to complete all terms. Students may not withdraw from or terminate a work term without permission from the Director, Co-op Program Office.

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.

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 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.

In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.

In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.

Honours Program

Year 1

	BIOL 1P91 and 1P92
	CHEM 1P91 and 1P92
	one of MATH 1P01 and 1P02, MATH 1P05 and 1P06 (recommended), MATH 1P97 and 1P98
	PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended)
	PHYS 1P22 or 1P92 (recommended)
	one Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit

Year 2

	BTEC 2P09 and 2P63
	BIOL 2P02 and 2P03
	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 Sciences 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, 4P20, 4P41, 4P42, 4P51, 4P57, 4P58, BIOL 4P10, 4P53
	BTEC 4P27 or 4P67
	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 1P91 and 1P92
	CHEM 1P91 and 1P92
	one of MATH 1P01 and 1P02, MATH 1P05 and 1P06 (recommended), MATH 1P97 and 1P98
	PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended)
	PHYS 1P22 or 1P92 (recommended)
	one Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit

Year 2

	BTEC 2P09 and 2P63
	BIOL 2P02 and 2P03
	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 Sciences credit (not taken in year 1)

Spring/Summer Sessions:

BTEC 0N01 and 2C01

Year 3

Fall Term:

	BTEC 3P09
	BCHM 3P02
	CHEM 3P20
	one of BCHM 3P25, BIOL 3P28, 3P51, CHEM 3P40
	one-half elective credit

Winter Term:

BTEC 0N02 and 2C02

Year 4

Fall Term:

BTEC 0N03 and 2C03

Winter Term:

	BTEC 3P50
	BTEC 3P62 or 3P93
	BCHM 3P01
	one of BTEC 3P43, CHEM 3P21, 3P41, 3P60
	one-half elective credit

Year 5

	BTEC 3P62 or 3P93 (not taken in year 4)
	BTEC 4F90 and 4F91
	one credit from BTEC 4P06, 4P08, 4P11, 4P20, 4P41, 4P42, 4P51, 4P57, 4P58, BIOL 4P10, 4P53
	BTEC 4P27 or 4P67
	one elective credit (see program note 2)

BSc with Major Program

Year 1

	BIOL 1P91 and 1P92
	CHEM 1P91 and 1P92
	one of MATH 1P01 and 1P02, MATH 1P05 and 1P06 (recommended), MATH 1P97 and 1P98
	PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended)
	PHYS 1P22 or 1P92 (recommended)
	one Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit

Year 2

	BTEC 2P09 and 2P63
	BIOL 2P02 and 2P03
	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 Sciences 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)
	one credit from BTEC 4P06, 4P08, 4P11, 4P20, 4P41, 4P42, 4P51, 4P57, 4P58, BIOL 4P10, 4P53
	BTEC 4P27 or 4P67
	two credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from BTEC, BCHM, BIOL, CHEM
	one elective credit

Pass Program

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

Graduate (MSc, PhD) Program

The Centre for Biotechnology offers opportunities for graduate study leading to a MSc or PhD degree. Graduate programs emphasize independent research by students in a wide variety of gene and cell biology, synthetic and bio-organic disciplines, reflecting the research interests of individual faculty. For further information, including faculty interests, see the current Graduate Calendar or the Centre for Biotechnology's website.

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.

BIOTECHNOLOGY COURSES

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, 3 hours per week; tutorial 2 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1P91, 1P92 (1F90), CHEM 1P91 and 1P92 (1F92).

Note: materials fee required.

#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.

Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BPHY, CHEM (single or combined), CHEN, OEVI majors, Sciences (general) students and CHEM minors until date specified in Registration guide. After that date open to BTEC, BCHM, BPHY, BSc (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), CHEM (single or combined), CHEN, OEVI majors, Sciences (general) students and CHEM minors until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1P91 and 1P92 (1F92); one of MATH 1P01 and 1P02, MATH 1P05 and 1P06 (preferred), or MATH 1P97.

Note: materials fee required.

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(s): BTEC 2P63.

Note: materials fee required.

#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), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P98 or permission of the instructor.

Note: materials fee required.

#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.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P02 and 2P03 (2F01) or permission of the instructor.

Note: materials fee required.

#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, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2P21.

#BTEC 3P93

Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry

(also offered as CHEM 3P93)

Chemistry and structure of nucleic acids, proteins and carbohydrates. Selected aspects of chemical synthesis and biosynthesis, including mechanisms of protein folding, post-translational modification, targeting, sequencing, detection techniques and biochemical/medical applications of these molecules.

Lectures, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2P21.

BTEC 4F90

Research Project

Experimental research carried out under faculty supervision.

Restriction: permission of the Director.

BTEC 4F91

Thesis

Incorporates 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).

Corequisite(s): BTEC 4F90.

#BTEC 4P06

Bioinformatics

(also offered as BCHM 4P06 and BIOL 4P06)

Sequence analysis, phylogeny, databases and tools, functional genomics, genome project, basic bioformatics programming.

Lectures, seminar, computer lab, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).

Prerequisite(s): BTEC 3P50, BIOL 3P51 or permission of the instructor.

Note: BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P05 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; lab, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), 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(s): one of BTEC 3P50, 3P93, BCHM 3P01, 3P02, BIOL 2P94 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.

Prerequisite(s): BTEC 3P50.

#BTEC 4P20

Synthetic Biology

(also offered as BIOL 4P20)

Technological and engineering advances in the biological sciences, along with tools and discoveries stemming from them. Induced pluripotent stem cells, CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, optogenetic control of cellular communication, engineering the immune response, programmable DNA-based materials and engineered biosensors.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to BTEC, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).

Prerequisite(s): one of BTEC 3P50, BCHM 3P01, BIOL 3P51.

#BTEC 4P25

Concepts in Bioremediation

(also offered as BIOL 4P25)

Waste-management technologies that utilize biological agents (such as micro-organisms and plants) to treat hazardous contaminants in soil and water. Biological, biogeochemical and engineering concepts in the design of bioremediation technologies.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): BTEC 3P43 and BIOL 2Q04.

Note: BCHM 3P01 and GEOG 3P14 recommended.

#BTEC 4P26

Toxicological Chemistry and Biochemistry

(also offered as CHEM 4P26)

Principles of toxicology. Key enzymes involved in the metabolism and biotransformation of xenobiotics. Actions of xenbiotics on nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. Biochemical mechanisms of the toxicity of selected xenobiotics such as toxins, common toxic chemicals, drugs and pesticides. Identification of xenobiotics in biological systems.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: students must have a minimum of 10.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2P21 or permission of the instructor.

#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.

Prerequisite(s): BCHM 3P01, 3P02 and CHEM 2P21.

#BTEC 4P28

Bio-organic Chemistry: Carbohydrates and Nucleic Acids

(also offered as CHEM 4P28)

Topics include mono and oligosaccharides, preparative carbohydrate chemistry, neoglycoconjugates, immunochemistry of carbohydrates, nucleosides and nucleotides, oligonucleotide synthesis, medicinal chemistry of oligonucleotides, amino acids, protein structures, peptide chemistry and post-translational modifications.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2P21.

#BTEC 4P41

Human Molecular Genetics

(also offered as BCHM 4P41, BIOL 4P41 and HLSC 4P41)

Principles of human genetics, human genome organization, pedigree, disease gene mapping, forensic and cancer genetics, genome sequencing, personal genomics.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).

Prerequisite(s): BTEC 3P50 or BIOL 3P51.

#BTEC 4P42

RNA World

(also offered as BIOL 4P42)

Examination of various aspects of RNA (ribonucleic acid) function and evolution. Examination of evidence that RNA precedes DNA as the hereditary material and played a crucial role in the early evolution of life on Earth.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BMED, BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).

Prerequisite(s): BTEC 3P50 or BCHM 3P02.

#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, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), 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(s): 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), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), 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(s): 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, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to BTEC, BCHM, BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), 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(s): 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.

Prerequisite(s): BTEC 2P63 and CHEM 2P21 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.

BTEC 2C01

Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration I

Provide student with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in their academic studies through career-oriented work experiences at employer sites.

Restriction: open to BTEC Co-op students.

Prerequisite(s): SCIE 0N90.

Corequisite(s): BTEC 0N01.

Note: students will be required to prepare learning objectives, participate in a site visit, write a work term report and receive a successful work term performance evaluation.

BTEC 2C02

Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration II

Provide student with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in their academic studies through career-oriented work experiences at employer sites.

Restriction: open to BTEC Co-op students.

Prerequisite(s): SCIE 0N90.

Corequisite(s): BTEC 0N02.

Note: students will be required to prepare learning objectives, participate in a site visit, write a work term report and receive a successful work term performance evaluation.

BTEC 2C03

Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration III

Provide student with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in their academic studies through career-oriented work experiences at employer sites.

Restriction: open to BTEC Co-op students.

Prerequisite(s): SCIE 0N90.

Corequisite(s): BTEC 0N03.

Note: students will be required to prepare learning objectives, participate in a site visit, write a work term report and receive a successful work term performance evaluation.

BTEC 2C04

Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration IV

Provide student with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in their academic studies through career-oriented work experiences at employer sites.

Restriction: open to BTEC Co-op students.

Prerequisite(s): SCIE 0N90.

Corequisite(s): BTEC 0N04.

Note: students will be required to prepare learning objectives, participate in a site visit, write a work term report and receive a successful work term performance evaluation.

BTEC 2C05

Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration V

Provide student with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in their academic studies through career-oriented work experiences at employer sites.

Restriction: open to BTEC Co-op students.

Prerequisite(s): SCIE 0N90.

Corequisite(s): BTEC 0N05.

Note: students will be required to prepare learning objectives, participate in a site visit, write a work term report and receive a successful work term performance evaluation.

Last updated: July 13, 2020 @ 07:31AM