Canada has a bold history and an even more promising future in the field of biotechnology and life sciences. It is the reason why the country has often been deemed the powerhouse of biotechnology globally. From discovering insulin as a treatment for diabetes to the international example of licensing the first effective polio vaccine and being the first to grow commercial biotech crops, Canada has made many positive contributions to the discipline of biotechnology. In the blog, we discuss in-depth top universities to Study Biotechnology Courses in Canada and their scope.
Top Universities to Study Biotechnology Courses in Canada
Here is a list of the top universities in Canada for studying biotechnology:
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto offers the Masters in Biotechnology and Honours Bachelor of Science with specialisation in Biotechnology at the postgraduate and undergraduate levels. The institute has gained a QS World Ranking of 16 in the subject.
Area of Study
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The specific areas of study include genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, etc. With its holistic approach toward nurturing the best professionals in the field, the university has also been following and implementing strategies that meet the co-op needs of the industry and the students.
Application Process
The way to apply to any course at this university is only through its official website. After completing these courses, students go on to take up varied roles (quality assurance, healthcare, etc.) in many industries.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for these degrees often require the student to have studied certain courses before as per their chosen specialisation. For example, certain prerequisites for an undergraduate degree include studying Biology, Chemistry, English, and Advanced Functions. Additionally, a minimum overall band of 6.5 is also required in IELTS for the program.
Also Read: Top Universities for PHD in Microbiology in Canada
University of British Columbia
This university holds an overall rank of 33 in the QS World Rankings for the Biotechnology field. This makes the university one of the best biotechnology colleges in Canada as well. There is one undergraduate level Honours Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and several master’s and doctoral degrees in related fields.
Area of Study
The undergraduate degree is 5 years long with 4 years of study and 1 year of a co-op. The various subject areas covered in the degree include immunology, virology, bioinformatics, cell biology, plant biology, statistics, etc. With a state-of-the-art laboratory in place, students will get to learn from the best theoretical methods and practical hands-on experience at the campus.
Application Process
To apply to the program, the applicant should submit all their transcripts and other required documents to the UBC student portal, where they begin their application. With thorough how-to guides in place, it is easier for students to follow through with the application for a bachelor’s degree.
Tuition Fees
The course tuition fee for international students comes out to be around CAD42,000.
McGill University
McGill University offers various bachelor’s courses in biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology and similar courses that can be taken up as minors or specialisations in other degrees by passing high school students. There is also a Master in Applied Science in Biotechnology available for graduates. The university holds the 36th rank globally in the QS World Rankings list for the subject.
Application Process
Students must refer to the admissions resources enlisted on the official website of the university to follow through with the correct application procedure.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirements for the undergraduate degree vary depending on the chosen minor or specialisation. However, there is usually a fixed IELTS requirement of an overall 6.5 band score. The master’s program is a non-thesis course that offers hands-on training to the students by offering internships through its partner – the Institute of Parasitology. To become eligible for this program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with at least a 3.2/4.0 GPA (or its equivalent).
Tuition Fees
The course tuition fee at the university comes out to be around CAD25,000 for all international students. However, there are various funding options available for students coming to McGill as a part of their study abroad plans.
University of Alberta
The university offers various biological sciences courses that cover the subject of biotechnology in their course structure. With an impressive world ranking of 151 in the QS World Rankings for the discipline, the University of Alberta should definitely be on the list of all international applicants from India.
Area of Study
The covered areas of study include immunology, zoology, microbiology, entomology, genetics, and more similar fields that focus on the biology of various microorganisms, humans, and other entities in our biological ecosystem.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply to the programs, current students must hold a score equivalent to 78/100 or a B+ grade in their 4-year undergraduate degree from a recognised university. An overall band 7 in IELTS is also required with no band less than 6.0.
Application Process
To apply to the program, students will have to submit various documents like a CV, statement of research interests, and letters of reference.
Recognising that the course fee for international students can be large and financially stressful, the university offers various Graduate Teaching Assistant and research fellows positions that help students in earning a good stipend to meet their expenses. There are also other internal and external funding options available that help all students alike financially.
Scope to Study Biotechnology Courses In Canada
For international students, getting the opportunity to study in any of the Biotechnology Courses In Canada at the bachelor’s, master’s, advanced diploma, or diploma level could be very rewarding. In addition to the rich academic history in the study area of biotechnology, there are also several other factors that widen the scope of studying biotechnology in Canada and make it such a lucrative option. These factors include:
- The unparalleled quality of education: Canada is one such country that dedicates a plethora of financial and non-financial resources to its education sector. Moreover, specifically for the biotechnology discipline, there are various universities that fall in the top ranks globally for the subject. With a wide variety of specialisations like biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, etc., available, students will have ample choices to select from.
- Enticing job opportunities: The scope of biotechnology in Canada is very lucrative. Canada is a biotech powerhouse that drives an $86.5 billion bio-economy and generates a large number of jobs every year. In Ontario province alone, there are over 485,000 people employed in this sector. After completing the bachelor’s or any other level of education in biotechnology in Canada, students will find themselves in front of many opened doors of great job opportunities.
- High quality of life: Canada enjoys one of the world’s best studying and living environments. With many attractive aspects like shockingly lower relative crime rates and unemployment rates from the rest of the world to one of the best life expectancies, there are many demographics that attract immigrants, especially from India.
Conclusion
For any Indian student interested in taking up biotechnology courses in Canada, there are various attractive options like the ones mentioned here in this blog. In addition to this list, there are many other biotechnology colleges in Canada for bachelor’s and master’s like McMaster University, Humber College, etc., that students can check out for considering more study abroad options for biotechnology in Canada.
To get more help, discover a plethora of resources on LeapScholar that will help you in planning your study abroad journey in Canada in the best way possible!
Related Article:
- Top Universities for MSc in Biotechnology in UK
- Universities to study Masters of Biotechnology in Canada
- MS In Biotechnology In USA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best college in Canada to study biotechnology?
Ans. The best colleges in Canada to study biotechnology include Centennial College, Fleming College, Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology, Durham College, Algonquin College, Conestoga College, Holland College, and Seneca College.
Is it better to study biotechnology online or offline in Canada?
Ans. It is definitely better to study biotechnology offline in Canada if you have the required resources in place. This is because hands-on experience is very important for a degree like biotechnology that is usually not covered during online courses. However, if you are a working professional or someone with not enough resources, online studies from Canada can also be fruitful in catapulting you in your career.
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