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CERTIFICATE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY VBS010

Duration (approx) 600 hours
Qualification Certificate

Biotechnology is a boom industry, and is likely to continue so in coming decades.

Technological developments have had a huge impact across all areas of applied life sciences, from health and farm production to horticulture and environmental management.

This unique course will give you a foundation of knowledge in the sciences and applications of these in real world industries.

The Certificate in Biotechnology comprises 6 modules:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry I
  • Biochemistry II
  • Tissue Culture
  • Plant Breeding or Animal Breeding
  • Genetics or Workshop I

Alternatives to these modules may be possible - discuss with our academic staff to investigate other possibilities.

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Biotechnology Certificate Course

Technological developments have had a huge impact across all areas of applied life sciences, from health and farm production to horticulture and environmental management.

Study 6 specialist modules - 

  • Gain an in-depth knowledge of chemical composition and processes.
  • Learn about cell structure and processes including cell division and gene expression.
  • Study plant biochemistry and build your understanding of biochemistry applications.
  • Learn about the chemistry of molecules found in and associated with living systems.
  • Learn about tissue culture and micropropagation.
  • Choose from a specialist module on Plant Breeding or Animal Breeding, depending upon your area of special interest.
  • Select from a module on Genetics or a Workshop project applicable to your studies. 

Course Content

Alternatives to these modules may be possible - discuss with our academic staff to investigate other possibilities.

What's in the Modules?

Lesson listings for each module are below.  Please follow the link in the module titles for more detailed information on each one.

Cell Biology BSC110
  1. Introduction to Cells and Their Structure
  2. Cell Chemistry
  3. DNA, Chromosomes and Genes
  4. Cell Division: Meiosis and Mitosis
  5. Cell Membranes
  6. Protein Structure and Function
  7. Protein Synthesis
  8. Food, Energy, Catalysis and Biosynthesis
  9. Intracellular Compartments, Transport and Cell Communication
  10. The Cell Cycle and Tissue Formation
Biochemistry I (Plants) BSC102
  1. Introduction
  2. Lipids and Proteins
  3. Enzymes
  4. Nitrogen and the Nitrogen Cycle
  5. Photosynthesis and Respiration
  6. Assimilation and Transpiration
  7. Acidity and Alkalinity
  8. Chemical Analysis
  9. Biochemical Applications
Biochemistry II BSC203
  1. Introduction to Biochemical Molecules
  2. Amino Acids
  3. Structure of Proteins
  4. Protein Dynamics
  5. Sugars and Polysaccharides
  6. Lipids (Fats) and Membranes
  7. Enzymes, Vitamins and Hormones
  8. DNA and RNA
  9. Laboratory Techniques
Tissue Culture BHT306
  1. Introduction including a review of basic plant nutrition.
  2. Plant Nutrients.
  3. The Laboratory
  4. Micropropagation Techniques
  5. Plant Hormones
  6. The Tissue Culture Environment
  7. Commercial Applications
  8. Taking Plants out of Culture
  9. Culture of Selected Species
Plant Breeding BHT236
  1. The Scope and Nature of the Plant Breeding Industry
  2. Introduction to Genetics
  3. Gamete Production, Pollination and Fertilisation in Plants
  4. Mono Hybrid and Dihybrid Inheritance in Plants
  5. Systematic Botany and Floral Structures
  6. Practical Plant Breeding Techniques
  7. Current Developments in Plant Genetics
Animal Breeding BAG301
  1. Introduction To Genetics
  2. Genetics
  3. Selection
  4. Pure Breeding
  5. Introduction To Cross Breeding
  6. Cross Breeding
  7. Livestock Improvement
Genetics BSC207
  1. Introduction to Genetics
  2. The Cell and Organelles
  3. Interaction between Chromosomes
  4. Interaction between Genes
  5. Genetic Chemistry (DNA and Chromosomes)
  6. Mutations (Genomes and Mutations)
  7. DNA repair and Recombination
  8. Developmental Genetics
  9. Population Genetics
  10. Applied Genetics 
Workshop I BGN103

There are 3 lessons, each involving a PBL project, as follows:

1. Workplace Tools, Equipment and Materials
Identifying and describing the operation of tools and equipment used in the workplace; routine maintenance of tools and equipment; identifying and comparing materials used in the workplace; using different materials to perform workplace tasks. 

2. Workplace Skills
Determining key practical skills in the workplace; identifying and comparing commonly-performed workplace tasks; determining acceptable standards for workplace tasks; implementing techniques for improving workplace efficiency. 

3. Workplace Safety
Identifying health and safety risks in the workplace; complying with industry OH&S standards; developing safety guidelines for handling dangerous items. 

Biotech Opportunities are a Certain Future

There is no doubt that biotechnology will be a very significant growth industry, well into the future.

It is harder to predict with any certainty, exactly what those future opportunities might be. Some colleges and universities may suggest where the jobs and businesses of the future will be; but predictions in past decades have shown that the only accurate predictions are very broad ones.

The things that we can be certain of are:

  • Scientific discoveries in biology will happen at a faster and faster rate.
  • Entrepreneurs who understand these discoveries, will see and take advantage of opportunities.

Learning the science is only part of what is needed to create a future for yourself in biotech.

The most successful people in the future will be those who:

1st Understand the science.

2nd Are well networked with both the scientists and commercial industry.

3rd See discoveries soon after they are made; conceive opportunities before too many others do, create realistic ways of applying the science to commercial opportunities and develop the business quickly.

This course provides a foundation to create career or business opportunities; making you a more useful employee, contractor, business partner, or business owner in any industry that deals with plants, animals, humans or products and services related to the same.

Your Next Step ...

You can enrol on the course today.  If you have any questions, or would like to know more, please get in touch using our Free Course Counselling Service.  We will be happy to help you.
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

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Meet some of our academics

Dr Lynette Morgan (Horticulture)Lyn worked with Rivendell Mushroom Farm between 1986 and 88; and then as a research assistant and technician for a few years while undertaking university studies. In 1991 she graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Horticultural Science (Hons) which covered broad horticultural sciences, as well as nursery vegetable and fruit production. Throughout the 90's she worked in both the nursery industry and horticultural crop production, before establishing her own business "Suntec" which has built an exceptional international reputation providing consulting services; particularly in hydroponic crop production. Dr Morgan has a broad expertise in horticulture and crop production, and a keen appreciation of the global scene. She travels widely as a partner in Suntec Horticultural Consultants, and has clients in central America, the USA, Caribbean, South East Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
Marie Beerman B.Sc.,M.Hort.Marie has been involved in horticulture since 2003. She completed a Masters degree in Horticulture at Hannover University in Germany in 2007, and has worked with ACS since 2011 She has co-authored of several ebooks including one on Roses and has a very sound knowledge and experience with horticultural science and research ranging from plant taxonomy and plant breeding to pest, disease and soil management.,


Check out our eBooks

Animal HealthUnderstand animal health issues, diseases and how identify and manage illnesses and injuries. Animals can become sick for many different reasons -diseases caused by infections, injuries, poisoning, genetic disorders, poor nutrition and other things.
Human NutritionBoth a text for students, or an informative read for anyone who wants to eat better. While covering the basics, the book approaches nutrition a little differently here to some other books, with sections covering ”Modifying diet according to Genetic Disposition or Lifestyle”, “How to find Reliable Information on Nutrition” and “Understanding how Diet relates to Different Parts of the Body” (including Urinary, Digestive, Respiratory and Circulatory System, the Brain, etc). This ebook was written to complement the ACS Nutrition I course, and provides a solid foundation for anyone wanting to grasp a fundamental understanding of Human Nutrition.
Commercial HydroponicsThe Commercial Hydroponics ebook is ideal for students, professional horticulturalists and those who want to build a strong foundation knowledge in hydroponics. The commercial hydroponics ebook explains how to set up a commercial hydroponics system, including growing techniques and equipment that you will need. The topics covered in this book include an introduction to hydroponics, site considerations, alternatives, plant nutrition, nutrient film technique culture, rockwool culture, aggregate culture, other techniques, hydroponics equipment, greenhouse operation, plant culture in hydroponics, Vegetable crops, berry and other fruit crops, flower crops, other crops, managing a commercial hydroponic farm and a troubleshooting guide.
Human BiologyFor any new student of human biology, being confronted with thousands of unfamiliar words can be overwhelming. It can also be difficult to identify which words you need to learn first. This book presents words that have been carefully selected as the most important for new biology students to learn and understand. It also provides more information about each word than is often found in traditional dictionaries, giving students a more in-depth understanding of the word's meaning. The book is intended as an aid to all new students of human biology.