Campus
Delivery
Hybrid
Duration
6 Semesters (3 Years)
Credential
Ontario College Advanced Diploma

About the Program

In this hands-on three-year advanced diploma program, you will focus on pharmaceutical analysis, product formulation and manufacturing, chemical instrumentation, biochemistry, microbiology and toxicology. You will receive the experience needed to perform experiments, manufacture tablets, ointments and creams with the precision required to meet pharmaceutical standards.

Your academic progress will be monitored during the first two semesters. Since the number of seats in the third semester is limited if you who fail to maintain a semester GPA of at least 2.5 during their first year and subsequent semesters will be transferred to an alternate program within the School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry.

Common First Semester

Students enrolled in the following programs may transfer to Chemistry Laboratory Technician before second year: Biotechnology —Advanced, Chemical Laboratory Technician, Chemical Engineering Technology, and Chemical Laboratory Technology — Pharmaceutical.

Skills

Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

  • Perform drug assays
  • Manufacture tablets, ointments and creams
  • Product formulation
  • Statistical calculations and analysis
  • Prepare organic and inorganic compounds using standard procedures
  • Perform instrumental chemical analysis
  • Maintain and test laboratory equipment to meet manufacture’s requirements

Work Experience

Optional Work Term

This program offers the option to complete a work term, providing valuable hands-on experience in your field of study. Students interested in completing a work term should apply to the PROGRAMNAME program.​

Students who select the work term stream will have the opportunity to participate in a work term(s) if eligibility requirements are maintained. Students will have the flexibility to transfer to the non-work term stream at any time. The work term(s) is similar in length to an academic semester and is typically a full-time position that may be paid or unpaid. The work term job search is student-driven and participation in the work term stream does not guarantee that a work position will be secured. However, students will receive guidance and support through in-class career workshops and one-on-one coaching to help prepare for the work term.

Work-Integrated Learning Model Starting September
Year September January May
Year 1 Semester 1 Semester 2 Break
Year 2 Semester 3 Work Term Semester 4
Year 3 & 4 Completion of Semester 5 (Winter) and Semester 6 (Fall), as well as completion of 2 Work Terms (various pathways dependent on work term length).
Work-Integrated Learning Model Starting January
Year September January May
Year 1   Semester 1 Semester 2
Year 2 Semester 3 Work Term Semester 4
Year 3 & 4 Completion of Semester 5 (Winter) and Semester 6 (Fall), as well as completion of 2 Work Terms (various pathways dependent on work term length).

Program Availability

Start in Location Availability
Sept. 2025 Seneca@York  Open
Jan. 2026 Seneca@York  Open

Please note that availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

Start in Location Availability
Sept. 2025 Seneca@York  Open
Jan. 2026 Seneca@York  Open

Please note that availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

This program meets Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements.

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. In courses delivered in the flexible format, using interactive learning spaces, professors teach in person to students in a physical classroom or lab and stream to students online at the same time. Students have a choice of coming to campus for an in-person experience or learning online.

Your Career

Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:

  • Pharmaceutical technologist
  • Quality control technologist
  • Production technologist

Affiliations/Associations

  • Canadian Society of Microbiologists (CSM)
  • Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) through the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology (CSCT)
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences Group (PSG)

Student Experiences

Graduate Career-Ready

Take the next step in your academic journey at Seneca. Join thousands of graduates who are making a difference here and around the world.

What Our Graduates Say

Dirosan Thevananthan

Graduate, Chemical Laboratory Technology

“The Chemical Laboratory Technology – Pharmaceutical program at Seneca helped me to develop leadership and people skills. Through the Work Integrated Learning program (WIL), I was able to get a job as a chemical technologist at Ontario Power Generation. Never limit yourself; there is a sea of opportunities out there. Learn to swim strong with Seneca and go and get it!”

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