Core Skills for Biomanufacturing

Core Skills for Biomanufacturing (CSB)

Gain industry-recognized training in biopharmaceutical manufacturing through a unique partnership between the University of Victoria and the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), Canada's national biomanufacturing training partner.

• Learn from industry experts
• Develop in-demand Quality Control (QC) and GMP skills
• Gain hands-on laboratory experience using industry-standard equipment
• Earn a UVic micro-credential endorsed by CASTL

Next intake: October 2026

Program at a glance

The CSB micro-credential is a 39-hour training program that combines online learning and hands-on laboratory experience to prepare learners for careers in biomanufacturing and regulated life sciences.

Format

• Duration: 6 weeks online + 1-day lab intensive (week 7)
• Delivery: Primarily synchronous online learning with asynchronous pre-work
• Lab Experience: 8-hour hands-on laboratory intensive day at CASTL's facility in Richmond, BC
• Time Commitment: Approximately 5-6 hours per week

Industry alignment

• Approximately one-third of the program is dedicated to Quality Control (QC), reflecting the critical role of QC in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and the strong demand for QC-related skills in entry-level industry positions.

Why biomanufacturing?

Canada's life sciences and biomanufacturing sector continues to grow, creating demand for professionals with skills in regulated manufacturing, quality control, and biomanufacturing operations.

The CSB micro-credential helps bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations by providing applied training aligned with current workforce needs.

What sets this program apart?

Gain practical biomanufacturing skills, hands-on laboratory experience, and an industry-endorsed micro-credential designed to prepare you for opportunities in Canada's growing life sciences and biomanufacturing sector.

Learn from industry and academic experts

Developed jointly by UVic and CASTL, this program combines academic excellence with real-world industry expertise.

Build in-demand skills

Develop the knowledge and competencies sought by employers in the biopharmaceutical and biomanufacturing sectors.

Strengthen your Quality Control expertise

Approximately one-third of the curriculum focuses on Quality Control (QC), a key area of demand for entry-level talent.

Gain hands-on laboratory experience

Train on industry-standard equipment during an immersive laboratory experience at CASTL's training facility in Richmond, BC.

Earn an industry-endorsed micro-credential

Receive a UVic micro-credential endorsed by CASTL, demonstrating your preparedness for employment in regulated biomanufacturing environments.

Is this program right for you?

 This program is ideal for:

• Biomedical Engineering students or graduates
• Biological Systems Engineering students or graduates
• Master of Engineering in Biomedical Systems (MEng-BISY) students or graduates
• Science and engineering students interested in biotechnology and biomanufacturing careers
• Learners seeking industry-recognized training in regulated manufacturing environments
• Professionals looking to upskill or reskill for opportunities in the growing manufacturing sector

What you'll learn

• Biopharmaceutical manufacturing fundamentals
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
• Upstream, midstream and downstream operations
• Quality Control testing and analysis
• Biomanufacturing equipment and techniques
• Regulatory compliance and quality systems
• Industry problem solving and teamwork

*See program outline for further details on learning outcomes.

What you'll gain

• Industry-recognized micro-credential
• GMP and regulated manufacturing knowledge
• Hands-on laboratory experience
• Quality Control (QC) skills
• Industry insights and professional connections
• Job-ready biomanufacturing competencies
• Opportunities to upskill, reskill, and support career advancement

Course schedule and topics

The CSB micro-credential combines live online instruction, self-directed learning, and a full-day, hands-on laboratory intensive to provide a practical introduction to biomanufacturing.  Weekly modules cover the full biopharmaceutical manufacturing lifecycle, including upstream and downstream processing, quality control, GMP, aseptic processing, and fill-finish operations.  

The detailed course outline, assessment rubric, and schedule will be posted in the near future. 

• Course Outline [link coming soon]
• Assessment Rubric [link coming soon]
• Detailed Schedule [link coming soon]

Tuition

Tuition: $2,800 CAD

Note: The one-day lab intensive takes place at the CASTL training facility in Richmond, BC.  Associated travel, accomodation, meals and other personal expenses are the responsibility of the learner.

Funding opportunities will be posted in the coming days.

Application deadline

October 2026 program start:

• Application deadline: September 10, 2026
• Full refund withdrawal deadline: September 10, 2026

Register now

• Register for the Micro-Credential in Core Skills for Biomanufacturing.
• Learn more about the StrongerBC future skills grant.

Contact us

For questions pertaining to the Micro-Credential in Core Skills for Manufacturing (CSB), please contact pp_info@uvic.ca .