Overview
This specialized training program empowers you to investigate both inherited and acquired genetic diseases, including conditions like Cystic Fibrosis and Leukemia. Clinical Genetics Technologists work in hospitals and private laboratories, utilizing advanced equipment and cutting-edge techniques to solve intricate genetic challenges.
About the program
BCIT’s Clinical Genetics Technology program is one of two programs of its kind in Canada, and the only one in Western Canada. Our program is taught with the small class sizes and high quality instructors for which BCIT is known.
- A 13.5-month, full-time advanced Diploma program
- Lectures and labs give practical experience to advance your existing BSc knowledge
- A seven-month clinical experience: on campus Clinical Readiness session for the first four weeks, then clinical training at our affiliated clinical sites, working with the latest cytogenetic, FISH, and molecular technologies
Want the hands-on learning you need to start your career? See Program Details for more information.
Watch the Clinical Genetics program video.
Who it’s for
This program is for students who:
- Enjoy working independently and in teams
- Are interested in honing their troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Have a BSc with a life sciences focus (with high marks in courses in genetics, biochemistry, and molecular genetics)
Does this sound like the right program for you? Visit Entrance Requirements to learn how to apply.
What grads can do
Our grads are in demand. Students are provided the opportunity to acquire all the skills required for the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) national competency profile for the Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics fields of practice. Graduates leave the program fully prepared to write the CAMLPR national certification exam that qualifies them to work. See Graduating and Jobs to learn what a future looks like in clinical genetics technology.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted from October 1st* to April 3rd.*
We recommend that you apply early. All supporting documents must be submitted by the application deadline.
*or next business day
Entrance requirements
Admission to this program is highly competitive. In 2022, BCIT admitted 1 in 5 applicants. Successful applicants exceeded entrance requirements. They also demonstrated a clear understanding of the profession and had related work experience.
Competitive Entry: Three-step process
Preference will be given to applicants with:
- Academic grades above the minimum
- Requirements completed within the last five years
- Related experience
- Additional post-secondary academic courses
Applicants with preferred entrance requirements are to submit transcripts and supporting documentation with their online application.
Step 1: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English language proficiency: Category 1 – English Studies 12 (73%) or equivalent
- Post-secondary: a Bachelor of Science with third and fourth year course concentrations in subjects such as:
- cell biology
- biochemistry
- molecular biology
- molecular genetics
- genetics
- cytogenetics
- human genetics
- Three letters of reference: preferably employer or academic letters. Referees are to email Admissions directly at admissions@bcit.ca and include the applicant's BCIT ID number and program name in the subject line.
- Complete the following forms for submission with your online application:
- Acknowledgement of Program Requirements [PDF]: To acknowledge the nature of this training and the physically demanding nature of this work.
- Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire [PDF]: This form will be used with other entrance requirements in the competitive selection for the program.
Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements
Applicants currently enrolled in the last term of their degree/diploma must be on track to complete by May. To apply, submit both of the following documents from your post-secondary institution:
- Transcript of completed courses
- Confirmation of enrolment letter verifying your current course enrolment and registration in the final term of your degree/diploma
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered. These reports must include course-by-course evaluations and GPA calculations.
Note: Due to the limited number of seats and the large number of applicants, the program accepts only the most suitable applicants. The process is competitive. First priority will be given to Canadian citizens or landed immigrants that are BC residents (minimum residency 12 months). If space in the program still remains after all applications from qualified BC residents have been considered, second priority will be given to Canadian citizens or landed immigrants from outside BC. Second priority candidates, please contact Program Head Farzad Kassam for additional information if you are interested in applying to this program.
Step 2: Department assessment
All applications will be reviewed by the program area at the application deadline. Program applicant files are assessed and scored based on completion, academic strength of listed entrance requirements, and scoring of the mandatory questionnaire.
Step 3: Conditionally selected applicants
If you have been conditionally accepted to BCIT you will be notified and the following information will be required in order to be accepted into the program:
Immunization Review [PDF]
Submit to Student Health Services. Immunization is a mandatory requirement for this program. For instructions and more information, visit Student Health Services’ Health Science Student Information.
Once these and any other outstanding conditions have been met, you will receive notification of your full acceptance.
Clinical requirements
Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term care facilities, will have to get the influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.
As such, you will be required to provide proof of your immunization or agree to wear a mask at all times through the flu season prior to being placed in your clinical studies.
International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition fees, visit Full-Time Studies Tuition & Fees.
Books & supplies
$1,160
(general estimated cost, subject to change)
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Program matrix
| Didactic Term Level 5 (15 weeks, including exam week) |
Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BHSC 6201 | Professional Practice and Communication | 1.5 | |
| CLGT 5501 | Cytogenetics Technology 1 | 5.0 | |
| CLGT 5502 | Chromosome Analysis 1 | 3.0 | |
| CLGT 5503 | Seminar Topics 1 | 1.0 | |
| CLGT 5504 | Computer Assisted Analysis and Image Reproduction 1 | 1.5 | |
| CLGT 5505 | Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) Technology 1 | 3.0 | |
| CLGT 5506 | Molecular Technology 1 | 10.5 | |
| CLGT 5507 | Chromosome Microarray Technology 1 | 3.0 | |
| Level 6A (10 weeks, including exam week) | Credits | ||
| CLGT 6601 | Cytogenetics Technology 2 | 3.0 | |
| CLGT 6602 | Chromosome Analysis 2 | 2.0 | |
| CLGT 6603 | Seminar Topics 2 | 1.0 | |
| CLGT 6604 | Computer Assisted Analysis and Image Reproduction 2 | 1.0 | |
| CLGT 6605 | Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) Technology 2 | 2.0 | |
| CLGT 6606 | Molecular Technology 2 | 7.0 | |
| CLGT 6609 | Chromosome Microarray Technology 2 | 2.0 | |
| Practicum Term Level 6B (30 weeks) |
Credits | ||
| CLGT 6607 | Practicum in Cytogenetics: Chromosomes, FISH and Microarray | 25.0 | |
| CLGT 6608 | Practicum in Molecular Genetics | 17.0 | |
| The practicum term is 30 weeks in length and begins with a 4-week Clinical Readiness session on campus. The remaining 26 weeks are divided between cytogenetics/FISH, microarray technology (CLGT 6607), and molecular genetics technology (CLGT 6608) training at one or more of our affiliated clinical sites. It exposes students to the clinical applications of cytogenetics, FISH and molecular technology, and to the pace and environment of a working genetics laboratory, while allowing for the enhancement of personal and technical skills. The practicum period requires a time commitment Monday to Friday, 8 to 9 hours per day. | |||
| Total Credits: | 88.5 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
Clinical genetics technology involves detailed analysis of the human genome by four distinct technologies: chromosome analysis of banded metaphase chromosomes; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for interphase cells/metaphase chromosomes; chromosome microarray for high-resolution analysis of chromosome/DNA fragment copy number variants and single nucleotide exchanges; and molecular diagnostic techniques for analysis of DNA fragment/single nucleotide genetic and genomic mutations. All four technologies can be used on a wide variety of human tissues.
Chromosomes are the packaged form of the human genome and are visible under the microscope. Modern clinical cytogenetics was established in the early 1970s with the use of banding techniques that allowed for the identification of individual chromosomes. Any change in the structure or number of chromosomes present may have a deleterious effect on the individual. FISH techniques allow for a more rapid examination of suspected chromosome abnormalities in living, fixed, and frozen specimens.
More recently, diagnostic molecular technology has given physicians and scientists additional tools to look further into the human genome to detect genetic diseases. Diagnosis of single-gene defects associated with diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and the fragile X syndrome is now routine. The investigation of various cancers also use chromosome analysis, FISH, microarrays, and molecular technology to determine the status of abnormal clones before and after treatment.
The program
The training program spans 13.5 months and consists of three terms. The first two terms are didactic (instructional), 15 and 10 weeks in length respectively, and involve lectures and laboratory study at BCIT.
The third term is a 30-week practicum which begins with a four-week Clinical Readiness session on campus followed by a twenty-six-week experience at one or more of the clinical sites affiliated with BCIT. The time spent in the practicum is divided into cytogenetics/FISH/microarray and molecular technologies. After successful completion of each of the three terms, graduates are eligible to write the Certification Examination of the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR), which leads to the qualification of Registered Medical Laboratory Technologist for the Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics fields of practice, the nationally recognized qualification for employment in the field.
Clinical site partners:
- Provincial Health Services Authority:
- BC Cancer Agency – Vancouver
- Vancouver BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital – Vancouver
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority:
- Vancouver General Hospital
- Fraser Health Authority:
- Royal Columbian Hospital – New Westminster
- Lifelabs BC, Surrey
- Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL), Genetics & Genomics – North (Edmonton)
- Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL), Genetics & Genomics – South (Calgary)
- Saskatchewan Health Authority:
- Royal University Hospital – Saskatoon
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority:
- Diagnostic Services of Manitoba
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario – Ottawa
Note: Due to space limitations, some of the practicum assignments are outside the Lower Mainland. These assignments will be made at random and must be accepted by the applicant to be admitted into the program.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Health Standards Organization (HSO) and its affiliate accreditation (AC) through their EQUAL Canada program.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Graduating & Jobs
Our graduates get work
Our Clinical Genetics Technology program students can complete the Certification Examination of the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) as soon as they graduate. Once complete, they are then qualified as registered technologists for the Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics fields of practice.
Our grads get hired; most are employed within the first two months of graduating.
Career opportunities
Our grads can work as Medical Laboratory Technologists in clinical genetics in major hospitals, private clinics, and research labs across Canada. Salaries start at approximately $74,000 annually and go up to $92,000 in British Columbia.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2022-2024 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2021-2023 graduates and for Degree 2020-2022 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Farzad Kassam, BSc, MLT
Program Head
Email: Farzad_Kassam@bcit.ca
Irene Dorocicz, PhD., MB(ASCP)cm
Instructor
Email: Irene_Dorocicz@bcit.ca
Brenda Lomax, BSc, MLT
Instructor
Email: Brenda_Lomax@bcit.ca
Phillip Son, BSc, MLT
Instructor
Email: pson@my.bcit.ca
Kathy White
Program Assistant
Email: Kathy_White@bcit.ca
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