UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
UPEI creates new biotechnology minor and courses

Starting in January 2022, science students at UPEI can register for a new 21-credit minor in biotechnology and two new associated courses, BIOT 1020: Field Studies in Biotechnology on PEI and BIOT 2020: Case Studies in Biotechnology.

The Faculty of Science has developed the new minor in partnership with the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) in response to new career opportunities for science and technology in the biotechnology sector on PEI.

The new minor combines the academic and laboratory components of students' science degree program with hands-on skills development, and it complements existing programs on campus. Through industry-supported work-integrated learning placements embedded in all new UPEI biotechnology courses, students will gain experience and industry connections to kickstart a career in biosciences and biotechnology.

The new courses will give students an introduction to biotechnology in industry. BIOT 2020: Case Studies in Biotechnology is an online course where students will examine and solve research problems drawn from the national and local biotechnology sector. BIOT 1020: Field Studies in Biotechnology on PEI involves field visits to local biotechnology firms. Both courses are open to all science students, and prerequisites are not required.

"The biotechnology sector is growing rapidly, creating a need for high-skilled training to support growth of those industries in current and new directions," said Dr. Nola Etkin, dean of the Faculty of Science. "Prince Edward Island is home to over 60 biotechnology firms, operating in human health, contract services, animal health, fish health, diagnostics, and medical device manufacturing. UPEI is proud to contribute to the growth of the biotechnology sector on PEI."