Careers for a Changing World:

Environmental and Biotechnology Programs at Canadore

The world is in a constant state of change and new technologies are being introduced in vital areas that affect our daily lives including energy, food, and the environment. As new technologies surface, there is a huge potential for employment growth in these areas.

Canadore’s role is to prepare the leaders of tomorrow with the right toolbox for the job. With two existing programs in biotechnology and environmental studies, and a new program slated for the fall, Canadore is training students with job-ready skills to be on the leading edge of these emerging fields.

Biotechnology - Technician/Technologist

The field of biotechnology is vast and limitless. Graduates can go on to work in a variety of settings and industries including health, agriculture and natural resources.

The program prepares students for rewarding careers that could lead to working on a variety of problems facing our planet – like working on a project to find the cure for cancer and other diseases, identifying microorganisms that may be infecting our food and water, or genetically engineering new products.

There are many areas that are currently being researched for future use including molecular farming, genetically engineered plants and microbes, and the production of biodegradable plastics and high yielding biodiesels.

The Biotech program provides broad spectrum training to its students. Courses include virology, botany, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, industrial microbiology, pharmacology and toxicology. The two-year program can also be followed-up by a yearlong placement in an approved research or industrial setting giving students real-world experience.

“Graduates are employed in the pharmaceutical industry, research labs, health sciences, agriculture, food production, industrial applications, forensics, mining, and environmental cleanup, to name a few,” said professor Tara McGoey. Graduate Becky Ladd is currently employed with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg, Man.

“The Biotech program gave me the hands-on experience that university was unable to provide thanks to the small class sizes, interaction with the professors and laboratory experiments,” said Ladd.

Environmental Technician - Protection and Compliance

The environment is a hot topic today in the news and in the political sphere. Because of this, the environmental sector is growing and there is an emergence of new “green” jobs locally, nationally and globally.

Professionals are needed to deal with climate change issues, land restoration, water conservation, water management and other sustainable concerns.

“The program trains students to apply theoretical knowledge in the areas of ecology, chemistry, biology, earth science, microbiology and toxicology through field and laboratory work. Students learn to apply this knowledge to the environmental challenges that lie ahead for the species that inhabit our planet,” said professor Derek Erickson.

“Our graduates find work in private laboratories, consulting engineering firms, private companies, municipal, provincial and federal government agencies, conservation authorities and health units.”

Graduate success stories include Sarah Mommy who is Drinking Inspector for the Ministry of the Environment and Dan Finnigan, Water Treatment Operator for the Ontario Clean Water Agency.

Environmental Management

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

This new program, approved by Canadore’s Board of Governors, was developed to provide university and college graduates with practical, hands-on, learning opportunities in the field of environmental science. Additional qualifications gained through the program are designed to complement their previous academic training, and improve their employability skills.

A large portion of the training will occur in the field. Courses include field sampling techniques and field analysis, an entry level drinking water course (Ministry of the Environment), GPS/GIS training, occupational health and safety, environmental auditing and risk assessment, and resource management.

“This program expands a graduate’s current skillset and knowledge and prepares them to meet the challenging changes in our environment. We are growing green minds,” said Lisa McCool-Philbin, Dean of Health Sciences.

With an ever-expanding population, there is a growing need for skilled professionals to work in vital areas such as alternative energy, disease control, environmental management, and food science.