Biotechnology – Faculty of Engineering

Biotechnology

Gain the expertise and practical laboratory skills necessary to innovate in genetic engineering and bioprocessing for the advancements of tomorrow.

Length
4.5 years
Degree
Bachelor of Technology (Co-op Mandatory)
Program
Bachelor of Technology
Options

Co-op

Program highlights

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary field merging basic science, applied science, and engineering. Study genetic engineering; cell biology, molecular biology, and microbiology; analytical instrumentation; and, bioprocessing. Within these disciplines, students learn about the latest research in immunology, virology, genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics.

Multiple degrees

In 4.5 years, students graduate with a degree from McMaster University, an advanced diploma in Biotechnology and Certificate in Business from Mohawk College, and 12 months of co-op work experience. 

Accredited Business Degree

The program also integrates core business and management skills and is an Accredited Business Degree. Read about ACBSP Accreditation here.

I see myself working in the environmental or agricultural technology sectors. I chose Biotechnology at McMaster because I thought it really demonstrated the perfect relationship between technology and the natural world.

Julianne – Biotechnology

Admission requirements

Academic Prerequisites

Six grade 12 U/M courses including:

  • English (ENG4U)
  • Calculus (MCV4U)
  • Chemistry (SCH4U)
  • Physics (SPH4U)

Please use the Future Students admissions tool to check requirements.

Anticipated Admission Range
80% – 82%
Supplementary Application
Required
OUAC Code
MTT
How to Apply Biotechnology degree requirements (Opens in new window)
Students in Genetic Tissue Engineering Lab

Co-op and experiential learning

Gaining relevant co-op experience is an essential part of earning a BTech degree.

This required program component will allow students to gain valuable work experience and career connections.

Our top 5 co-op employers for this program are:

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Activation Laboratories
  • Baxtor
  • Ecosynthetix
  • Environment Canada

While support and guidance is available through the Centre for Career Growth and Experience (the Centre) to assist students with your job search, resume writing and interviewing skills, it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to satisfy the co-op program requirement.

 

Learn more about co-op
Student working on machine. Hands-on experience.

Program structure

The program is made up of technical courses that are specialized according to your chosen stream. In addition, courses in business, management, and communications complement your sudies. Finally 12 months of co-op are integrated into your studies.

FallWinterSpring
Year 1Level 1ALevel 1BOptional Co-op Work Term
Year 2Level 2ALevel 2BCo-op Term 1
Year 3Level 3ACo-op Term 2Co-op Term 3
Year 4Level 3BLevel 4AOptional Co-op Work Term
Year 5Level 4B

Level 2A courses

Course codeCourse title
BIOTECH 2CB3Cell Biology
BIOTECH 2EC3Chemical Engineering Concepts
BIOTECH 2M03Molecular Biology
BIOTECH 2OC3Organic Chemistry
ENGTECH 2MA3Mathematics III
GENTECH 2MP3Management Principles

Level 2B courses

Course codeCourse title
BIOTECH 2B03Biotechnology Concepts
BIOTECH 2BC3Biochemistry
BIOTECH 2GT3Genetics
BIOTECH 2MB3Microbiology
GENTECH 2EE3Engineering Economics
GENTECH 2HR3Human Resources Fundamentals

Level 3A courses

Course codeCourse title
BIOTECH 3B03Industrial Biotechnology
BIOTECH 3BC3Bioprocess Control and Dynamics
BIOTECH 3IV3Immunology and Virology
ENGTECH 3ES3Engineering Statistics
GENTECH 3FF3Financial Systems
GENTECH 3MT3Project Management

Level 3B courses

Course codeCourse title
BIOTECH 3BP3Bioreactor Processes and Design
BIOTECH 3FM3Food Microbiology
BIOTECH 3PM3Pharmacology
GENTECH 3LS3Quality Control and Assurance Methods
GENTECH 3MB3Fundamentals of Marketing

Level 3B elective (choose one)

Course codeCourse title
BIOTECH 3CM3Computational Modeling of Biological Systems
ENGTECH 4AI3Artificial Intelligence
SFWRTECH 4DA3Data Analytics and Big Data
ENGTECH 4DT3Engineering Design and Technology

Level 4A courses

Course codeCourse title
BIOTECH 4BL3Biomaterials and Biocompatibility
BIOTECH 4BM3Biopharmaceuticals
BIOTECH 4GP3Genomics and Proteomics
BIOTECH 4TR1Capstone Project I
GENTECH 4OM3Operations Management
GENTECH 4EP3Entrepreneurial Thinking and Innovation

Level 4B courses

Course codeCourse title
BIOTECH 4BI3Bioinformatics
BIOTECH 4BS3Biotechnology Regulations
BIOTECH 4TB3Advanced Biotechnology
BIOTECH 4TR3Capstone Project II
GENTECH 4FT3Strategic Management
GENTECH 4TE3Technology Ethics and Sustainability

Careersand further studies

Sample careers:

  • Chemist, Estee Lauder
  • Inventory Control Analyst, Ventura Foods Canada
  • Manager of Clinical Marketing, Mespere LifeSciences Inc.

Further study:

  • MBiotech, University of Toronto
  • MSc, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, University of Toronto
  • MASc, Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University
  • MASc, Chemical Engineering, McMaster University
  • MBA, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University

Future directions

Many BTech students inquire about study opportunities available to them after completing their undergraduate degree. With your four year degree from McMaster University, you can now move on to pursue professional designations or further education at the graduate (Master’s or Doctoral) level.

Every program has different requirements for admission and a unique admission process. Some general information can be found below. Students are encouraged to contact the graduate programs of interest directly for more information.

Students can continue their studies within the Walter G Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology through any of the five professional Master’s programs offered:

  • Master of Engineering and Public Policy (MEPP)
  • Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering (MEME)
  • Master of Engineering Design (M.Eng. Design)
  • Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MTEI)

B.Tech. students or graduates who are interested in any of the professional master’s programs offered by W Booth School should contact the relevant grad studies representative to arrange for an interview with a faculty member. The same advice would apply to those seeking graduate programs outside of W Booth School.

For interested fourth years…

There are now 400/600 level courses available for you to take in your final year of B.Tech!

What is a 400/600 level course?

These are 400 level courses in your program that are cross listed at the 600 (graduate level). The 600 level course is an undergraduate course with additional work, commonly extra assignments or a project beyond the requirements for the corresponding 400 level course.

The 600 level course can be taken by undergraduate students (with permission from the course Professor) or graduate students. If you wish to complete a 400 level course, with 600 level credit, speak with your instructor at the start of the term.

What is the advantage of taking a 600 level course?

Students in B.Tech. can take up to 2 courses at the 600 level. Upon successful completion of a course, a PASS/FAIL notation will be made in the W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology (SEPT) Graduate Program office, which will allow you to receive credit for these courses should you enter into one of the SEPT Master’s programs.

*not ALL B.Tech. courses qualify for advanced credit for ALL M.Eng programs – consult your department head for more information.

For more information on your eligibility for M.Eng programs offered by W.Booth, please contact wbooth@mcmaster.ca!

    • Effective May 15, 2023, the PEO’s updated application criteria for the PEng designation affected the eligibility of McMaster BTech graduates. Under the new application criteria, the BTech degree does not satisfy the PEO’s academic requirement for PEng licensing (although BTech grads do qualify for a PEO Limited Licence – LEL).  We are in active communication with the PEO in an effort to re-establish the previously approved PEng pathways for BTech grads; please revisit this website for updates. In the meantime, BTech grads can still apply to become a P.Eng. in other Canadian Provinces, completing the process online while working in Ontario, and, once licensed, transfer their P.Eng. licence to Ontario.

Master of Engineering (MEng) degrees are typically course-based (as opposed to research-based) and are also sometimes referred to as project-based master’s degrees, since MEng degrees usually comprise a combination of course work and a project. The nature of the project is usually “professional” rather than “research” (e.g. dealing with design or manufacturing problems in industry).

These kinds of programs are considered to be an excellent fit for graduates of BTech programs which concentrate on developing advanced technological skills in an environment which is more concerned with application than with research. The advanced coursework in the master’s degree program and the experience developing, conducting, and completing a major application-oriented project would provide a good educational base for technologically-focused positions in industry.

Most of the Engineering Departments at McMaster University offer MEng degree programs; the details of these can be found in the calendar of McMaster University’s School of Graduate Studies or the Faculty of Engineering Graduate Programs search page.

McMaster University’s research-based master’s degree programs in engineering lead to a Master of Science (MSc) or a Master of Applied Science (MASc). Typically, these programs require a relatively small number of courses and a major research project culminating in a thesis. A research-based master’s program is considered the ideal route towards doctoral studies.

Research-based master’s programs are suitable for BTech graduates who have a very definite career objective in fundamental and/or applied research. BTech graduates interested in these programs should have very strong mathematical abilities.

Most engineering departments at McMaster University offer MASc. degree programs; the details of these can be found in the calendar of McMaster University’s School of Graduate Studies or the Faculty of Engineering Graduate Programs search page.

BTech students or graduates wanting to pursue a research master’s program at McMaster University are advised to contact the relevant department and arrange for an interview with a faculty member. A useful approach is to do some preliminary and preparatory investigation to identify professors whose research program aligns well with the interests and skills of the student. The same advice would apply to those seeking admission to programs at other universities.

MBA programs offered at McMaster University and other universities provide an opportunity for university degree graduates in a variety of fields to develop a broad set of advanced business administration skills. Typically, these programs are course-based and may include a co-op component (e.g. the MBA program offered by McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business). MBA programs are suitable for B.Tech. graduates who wish to broaden their career opportunities to include leadership positions which require both technological and management education.

Note that successful completion of an MBA program could position the student for PhD studies in business.

A student sits at a table with an open book. Another student stands beside them and points at a page.

Accelerated MBA in 8 months

BTech graduates can apply to an Accelerated MBA program with DeGroote School of Business after completing their undergraduate studies.

Eligible programs include Automation Systems Engineering Technology, Automotive Engineering Technology, and Biotechnology.

This pathway highlights the quality of business and management curriculum within BTech, paving the way for graduates to excel as future business and technology leaders.

Starting in the Fall of 2025, BTech students who started these programs in 2019 and later will be eligible to apply to DeGroote’s Accelerated MBA.
Learn more about DeGroote's Accelerated MBA (Opens in new window)

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W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology

We blend our focus between academic theory, engineering practice and understanding how to leverage technology to create solutions and produce value for society.

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