As the industry matures, more companies are adding product development, manufacturing, and marketing to their activities. Co-op work terms are a compulsory part of the degree program to ensure a direct interaction with industry, which fosters suitable development and interests in the students and maximizes the subsequent success of the graduates. Since new companies often choose to locate where a rich pool of human resources is available, UBC and BCIT are being both responsive and proactive in establishing a highly skilled future workforce for an industry with a proven place in the Province's economic and social goals. Even though many institutions in BC offer some training relevant to areas of biotechnology, none of the present programs have a specific organized strategy for human resource development and training in biotechnology that keeps pace with marketplace demands. Top of page.
Life sciences research -in genetics, biochemistry, forestry and agriculture.
Production of biological products in commercial markets -such as biopharmaceuticals and products that use cell culture and fermentation technology. Laboratory analysis -in industries that perform chemical, biochemical and microbiological analyses. It is anticipated that graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology degree program will move quickly to higher levels of responsibility from these entry positions. Top of page. The goal of the program is to blend hands-on and theoretical training.