The Lambton College Biomaterials & Chemical Laboratory Analysis - Applied Science, Ontario College Graduate Certificate, two-year program provides focused, experiential education to meet the demands of the energy, advanced materials, cannabis and other natural health product industries.
In this program, students study advanced concepts in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics and mathematics applied to chemical analysis and complex problem solving in a hands-on laboratory environment.
Students conduct tests and develop solutions to problems in analyses of raw materials, products, or environmental samples, synthesize organic or inorganic compounds and prepare reports and technical documentation related to chemical analyses. Within the laboratory environment, graduates implement, coordinate and evaluate quality assurance and quality control procedures, in accordance with international and industry standards and government regulations. The program prepares students to analyze natural products, energy and advanced materials for quality and contribute to research and development.
See Course List
Admission Requirements
A university degree in Science, Pharmacy or Engineering with appropriate preparation in Math and Chemistry.
The admissions process is competitive and meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Lambton College reserves the right to alter information including admission requirements and to cancel at any time a program or course; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary
to meet current competencies or changes in the job market; to change the pathways third-party certification bodies; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications
or registrations or over-acceptance of offers of admission. In the event Lambton College exercises such a right, Lambton College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to Lambton College.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate language proficiency by submitting one of the following scores:
- IELTS of 6.5
- TOEFL iBT 79
- Passed Lambton Institute of English placement test
Please Note: IELTS is the only proficiency score accepted by the Study Direct Stream (SDS) program. Additional country-specific requirements may also be applicable.
Meeting the minimum English requirements does not guarantee admission. Students with higher English proficiency scores will receive priority in the admission assessment process.
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, it is mandatory to own a reliable laptop to complete tests and assignments.
Course List
POL-1003: Canadian Politics and Government I
Explain the structure and function of government within society with a focus on the Canadian context. Critically examine the complexities of the Canadian federal system in relationship to social, political, and economic change. Investigate the influence that geography, language, religion, and ethnicity have had and examine their implications to issues of regionalism and diversity. Explore the role of political parties and the electoral system and their influence on voting patterns and citizen engagement.
OHS-1402: Canadian Workplace Health and Safety
In providing an overview of Canadian Labour laws, workplace rules and regulations, and Health and Safety Hazards in the workplace, students gain an understanding of the responsibilities of employers, worker's rights as well as the responsibilities of various organizations in the Canadian labour industry. Awareness and recognition of various health and safety risks arising from a variety of occupations is also covered.
COM-3013: Professional Communications
This course is designed for international students with diplomas or degrees. It focuses on polishing communications skills acquired through one's academic career and workplace experience. Through various business writing and speaking scenarios, students learn Canadian business practices and communication styles. Close attention is paid to proper incorporation of the intellectual property of others to ensure academic integrity. Students will practice organized and dynamic speaking and will strive for polished business documents.
CHM-4716: Analytical - Separation and Imaging Methods
This course continues the exploration of analytical technology, beginning with the topics of sampling techniques. In this unit the students will learn about strategies for how and where samples are collected, and how they are stored and prepared. In the second unit chromatography in many of its variants is explored. The mechanisms of component separation are presented along with the hardware components of a typical system and how the generated data is analyzed. Some methods for improvement of separation are covered. In the third unit, methods of microscopy are covered, from the many optical methods to electron imaging and atomic force microscopy. In the final unit, a survey of new and potential methods are examined.
CHM-4913: Quality Assurance and Control
Quality in the chemical laboratory is about the data being produced being free of error and with well defined and understood limits, consistence and uncertainty. There are national and international standards for quantifying quality. This course will understand the importance of quality in the laboratory, be familiar with the standards that control and define quality, know how to sample to ensure quality through appropriate sampling, method selection, measurement practices and documentation.
CHM-2712: Laboratory Techniques
The student will be introduced to Canadian laboratory techniques, including good laboratory practices for analytical labs (such as appropriate lab record keeping and documentation), laboratory chemical safety (WHMIS/SDS), and lab procedures. Students will learn techniques useful in later areas of the program, such as preparing solutions, proper chemical labelling and storage, and maintaining a laboratory notebook.
CHM-1901: Chemical Laboratory Careers in Canada
In this course, students will gain exposure to a variety of career paths in chemical laboratories in diverse industries across Canada through a series of guest lecturers and/or case studies. Students will assess which opportunities are expected to experience growth and they will determine what additional requirements or skills in addition to chemical laboratory skills may be necessary for a chosen profession. Students will investigate an industry in detail to describe the roles, the education and skills required. Students will present their findings to the class.
MTH-1904: Mathematics for Technology I
This course reviews and develops concepts in algebra, trigonometry, complex numbers, and vectors with technical applications.
CHM-5716: Natural Health Products
Interest in the use of natural products in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food is growing rapidly. Cannabis legalization in Canada and around the globe has seen substantial growth in the interest of natural health products. In this course, students gain scientific insights in the area of natural health products, and active components of cannabis, ginseng and kombucha. This course focuses on preparing students as skilled employees for cannabis and other natural health product/nutraceutical product manufacturing companies through the integration of scientific concepts well as hands on skills of extraction, downstream processing and refining of active constituents, and product/formulation development of such active ingredients. Students will learn the skills of scientific literature review, laboratory experimentation, sample preparation and analysis, report writing, and presentation.
CHM-5816: Reinforced Plastics
Engineered materials systems with the combined benefits of plastics and reinforcement are explored with an emphasis on natural product reinforcement; things like hemp, rice hulls and crystalline cellulose. The recycling benefits and technology are covered in general and as they pertain to these naturally sourced reinforcement materials.
CHM-5916: Petrochemical and Polymer Chemistry
The petrochemical industry from extraction to processing into energy and materials products is covered in this course. Polymer chemistry and production is explored. Polymers and energy products (for example; bio-diesel and bio-ethanol) from renewable resources is also covered.
CHM-3716: Analytical - Physical and Spectrometry Methods
The student will be introduced to good laboratory practices for analytical labs and appropriate lab record keeping. In each area listed next, both theory and practical understanding is developed. Physical methods of analysis will cover gravimetry, calorimetry and stress-stain evaluations. Electrochemcial methods of conductivity, and pH are covered and electromagnetic methods, focusing on infrared, Atomic Absorption, and Atomic Emission.
CHM-5501: Proposal Writing
A student will work with a mentor to develop a proposal for their applied research project occurring in the next term. Steps in the proposal writing process will be covered.
JSS-1001: Job Search and Success
This course is designed to give the student an understanding of how to conduct a job search and how to succeed in the work place. This includes self-reflection, effectively designing a cover letter and resume, online job searches utilizing social media, behavioural based interviewing as well as marketing oneself effectively in a job interview. Job safety, successful work strategies and harassment and discrimination plan of action is also discussed.
CHM-6119: Applied Lab Skills I
In this course the leaning objectives are met through the lens of an applied research-based question. Students will work on a research problem through implementation of procedures and techniques explored in the preceding semesters of the program. Students will be involved in selecting the appropriate techniques, calibrating, and maintaining equipment, and producing valid data for analysis.
CHM-6214: Applied Lab Analysis I
In this course the learning objectives are met through the lens of an applied research-based question. Students will work to design and analyse experiments to solve and explore an identified applied research problem. Students will be responsible for evaluating the quality of the data, statistical analysis of the data, and considering if the data meets compliance of any relevant industry or government standards.
CHM-6513: Scientific Communication and Dissemination I
A student will work with a mentor to plan, communicate and manage the solution to an applied research problem. The emphasis will be on presentation skills, project update creation and tailoring scientific background information for specific audiences.
CPL-5559: WIL Project
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Project is aimed at enriching students by connecting different program areas of study, cutting across subject-matter lines, and emphasizing unifying concepts. The focus of the WIL Project is to make connections between study and industry by engaging students in relevant and meaningful activities that are connected to and practiced within the professional workplace. WIL Project allows students to enhance and strengthen their employability prospects post-graduation by fine tuning skills and knowledge and meeting the expectations of today's employers. Students are required to attend the scheduled shifts in the WIL office, reporting to the WIL Supervisor. Weekly real-world challenges are presented in the WIL office, designed by industry professionals. In addition to the weekly assigned deliverables, students are also offered professional development sessions, and exposed to industry guest speakers, enhancing their opportunity to develop their professional network.
CPL-1049: Work Term Two-Year Co-op Program
Co-operative education provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace, undertake career sampling and gain valuable work experience that may assist students in leveraging employment after graduation. For further information regarding co-op, please refer to: https://www.lambtoncollege.ca/co-op_and_career/
WIL Project Prerequisites (CPL-5559)
In order to continue onto Term 4, the following prerequisites must be met:
- Overall GPA of 2.0 or greater
- No more than two outstanding courses in addition to WIL Project
- These courses must be able to fit your WIL schedule conflict free
- Courses scheduled back-to-back with your WIL shifts are considered in conflict (applies to students studying in Sarnia ONLY)
Program Maps
Current Students
Current students can view program maps from previous years on the mylambton website.
You will need to login with your C# and password in order to access your program map.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates may find employment as chemical laboratory technologists in a range of settings including: research laboratories, government agencies, educational institutions, and technical sales. They may also work in industries such as, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, cosmetics, cannabis, natural health products, petroleum, mining, water and wastewater, solid waste, environmental protection, energy, and food science.