Cannabis, Natural Health Products & Biomaterial Applied Science
Overview
This one-year program provides focused, experimental education to meet the demands of the natural products, energy, and advanced materials industries.
Students in this one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program, 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 and 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.
Graduates may find employment as chemical laboratory technologists in a range of settings including, research laboratories, government agencies, educational institutions and technical sales, and in industries such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology, cosmetics and cannabis and natural health products, petroleum, mining, water and wastewater, solid waste, environmental protection, energy and food science.
Admission Requirements
- University degree, college diploma, advanced diploma, or equivalent in Science, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Environmental, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering, Instrumentation, Mathematics, or related fields of study
Meet Samantha
Samantha works in Lambton College's research department with research students from this program. Hear about the exciting things she works on in the lab.
Costs
- Year 1 $4,124.34
Please Note: These fees apply to the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change. Fees do not include books (unless specifically noted), supplies or living costs.
Additional Fees
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Calculator (Sharp EL-W516XGB Advanced WriteView)$40.00
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Lab Coat$20.00
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Safety Glasses$10.00
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Lab Notebook$10.00
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, Lambton College requires that each student have access to a laptop while studying at our college.
Labs & Equipment
Chemistry Lab
Laboratory exercises complement theoretical concepts and develop good, safe, laboratory practices through hands-on activities and chemical experimentation.
Advanced Material Testing Lab
The Materials Testing Lab is part of applied research activities in the area of advanced material development. This lab is equipped with many different facilities to perform various tests including tensile, tear, elongation, Melt Flow Index (MFI), Rheology Dynamic Analyzer (RDA) and FTIR for films.
Research Analyzer Lab
Research Analyzer LabThe Research Analyzer Lab is an integral component of the program, enabling students to conduct experiments using various instrumentation including: GC and LC (Gas and Liquid Chromatography), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy), and DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry).
Courses
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.
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.
Petrochemical & 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.
Analytical - Physical & 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.
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.
Applied Lab Skills
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.
Applied Lab Analysis
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.
Scientific Communication & 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.
Contact
Program Information
Applied Science, Engineering Technology & Trades
After Graduation
Pathways
Transfer to Programs within Ontario
Graduates may be employed by research and development and quality control laboratories, consulting engineering companies, in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and a variety of other manufacturing and processing industries, and by utilities, health, education, and government establishments. Graduates are employed in:
- Food and Beverage Production
- Petrochemical Processing
- Pharmaceutical Production
- Cosmetics Production
- Natural Product and Vitamin Processing
- Federal and Provincial Government Inspection Labs
- Research Labs
Career positions may include, but are not limited to: Analytical technician, Biochemistry technician, Biological lab technician, Chemical analyst or lab technician, Formulation technician, Pilot plant technician, Quality control technician, Validation and documentation technician
Want to see more Ontario transfers? Visit ONTransfer.ca.
More Information
Women in Technology & Trades
Female students, alumni, staff, and faculty of the technology and trades programs at Lambton College meet once a month to:
- Network and support each other
- Share experiences
- Build a sense of community
Each year, the group attends a final retreat at Camp Ak-O-Mak. Learn more by emailing the Technology & Trades department.
Technology Requirements
It is recommended that students purchase a laptop with a Windows operating system.
Internet Speed Requirements
For best performance for students learning remotely, an internet connection with a minimum of 40 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speed is recommended in order to effectively use video conferencing and remote lecture delivery software as well as, other online resources remotely. Due to the large area over which students may be dispersed, we are unable to recommend a specific provider, so you will need to inquire around your area to find one that best suits your needs.
Minimum Laptop Requirements
In order to access the internet and virtually-delivered software and courseware, student laptops should include the following at a minimum. By meeting the following specifications, students will be equipped to access software and courseware on their laptop through the internet:
- Intel i5 8th Gen Processor or equivalent
- 16 GB of RAM (with a minimum of 8 GB)
- 100 GB HDD or more
- HD Graphics
- Webcam with a microphone
- Wireless 802.11n/ac 5ghz capable
- Windows Operating System (Windows 11)
Software
To ensure students are getting the most our of their classroom experience, some software will be required.
Lambton College has made this software easily accessible online. Students can leverage our Microsoft Office 365 software packages and services. In addition, much of the software you require for your courses will be available on demand for use on any device - on or off campus.