High School Graduation OR be 19 years old on the first day of classes
IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 overall (no sub-score less than 6.0)
TOEFL iBT score of 78 overall (no sub-score less than 19)
PTE Academic score of 54 overall (no sub-score less than 50)
Cambridge Assessment of English: C1 Advanced score of 174 overall (no sub-score less than 169)
CAEL CE score of 60 overall (no sub-score less than 60)
GTEC CBT score of 1200 overall (minimum sub-scores: Reading 325; Writing 270; Speaking 260; Listening 335)
Duolingo English Test (DET) score of 105 for General Admission to most Certificate and Diploma programs, and Bachelor of Business Administration programs (exceptions: Nursing and certain other Health-related programs). Score of 115 for admission to Post-Degree programs (all majors) and Degree programs offered by Centre for Sport and Exercise Education.
Eligibility for internship work experience
To be eligible to participate in the internship option, students must complete all program courses, and achieve a GPA of 2.0.
Completion requirements
You must complete all program courses achieving an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in order to graduate with a Diploma in Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology.
You must additionally complete successfully one work term (CHEM 290) in order to graduate with a Diploma in Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Internship Designation. Students pursuing the Internship designation will be required to complete four (4) seminar courses and one (1) work term course. You are advised to consult with the Chair to discuss the work term course that will best meet their career and educational goals.
Inspired by science?
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.
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.
Facilities and equipment
Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology has a number of dedicated labs where you'll gain experience in the analysis of organics, inorganics, and biomolecules.
You'll receive training in lab safety, good lab practices, and lab technique as well as hands-on training pertaining to the operation and use of lab instruments.
Get started in the lab
In the two-year ACBT program, you'll get hands-on training in lab safety and technique. The 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.
What to expect
Located at our Lansdowne campus, the ACBT program is two years long. You'll spend lots of time in the lab, giving you the practical skills that employers look for. In addition to developing your scientific knowledge, you'll have the opportunity to carry out a major project at an external lab as part of an optional internship. For part-time students, you'll arrange a personal learning plan with the Program Chair to modify the full-time schedule for your own flexible program.
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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 1
Academic Term 1 (Fall)
All of, BIOL 126, Physiological Basis of Life, 4,
, CHEM 105, ACB Seminar 1, 0.5,
, CHEM 120, College Chemistry 1, 4,
, ENGL 151, Academic Writing Strategies, 3,
One of, MATH 100, Calculus 1, 4,
, MATH 108, Applied Calculus, 4,
One of, PHYS 104, General College Physics 1, 4,
, PHYS 140, Physics for Scientists and Engineers 1, 4,
Academic Term 2 (Winter)
All of, CHEM 106, ACB Seminar 2, 0.5,
, CHEM 121, College Chemistry 2, 4,
, CHEM 230, Organic Chemistry 1, 4,
, STAT 216, Applied Statistics, 4,
One of, PHYS 105, General College Physics 2, 4,
, PHYS 141, Physics for Scientists and Engineers 2, 4,
Academic Term 3
All of, CHEM 231, Organic Chemistry 2, 4,
One of, COMP 152, Computer/Programming Literacy, 3,
, ENGL 161, Literary Genres, 3,
, ENGL 163, Intro to Literary Traditions, 3,
, MATH 101, Calculus 2, 4,
, MATH 109, Finite Mathematics, 4,
In your second year, you will 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.
Year 2
Academic Term 4 (Fall)
All of, BIOL 202, Introductory Microbiology 1, 4,
, CHEM 207, ACB Seminar 3, 0.5,
, CHEM 224, Analytical Chemistry, 4,
, CHEM 251, Immunology, 4,
, CHEM 255, Principles of Biochemistry, 4,
Academic Term 5 (Winter)
All of, CHEM 208, ACB Seminar 4, 0.5,
, CHEM 213, Molecular Spectroscopy, 4,
, CHEM 250, Molecular Biotechnology, 4,
, CHEM 259, QA in Environmental Chemistry, 4,
One of, BIOL 203, Microbiology 2, 4,
, CHEM 220, Inorganic Chemistry, 4,
, CHEM 221, Physical Chemistry, 4,
, BIOL 231, Principles of Cell Biology, 4,
After your second year, you can take an optional internship (minimum-300 hours) after completion of all the program courses and COOP WEP. Students usually complete the work term between May and August.
You'll need to complete all program courses achieving an overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 to be eligible for an optional ACBT internship (CHEM-290).
Full-time schedule with internship
1, Academic Term 1, Academic Term 2, Academic Term 3
2, Academic Term 4, Academic Term 5, Internship
Academic Term 6 (Spring) optional
All of, COOP WEP, Workplace Education Prep, 0,
One of, CHEM 290, Laboratory Internship, 4,
, CHEM 291, Cooperative Work Experience 1, 4,
Medical Insurance - CAD $900 per year
