COURSE OVERVIEW
Offered through the Faculty of Science at York University, the micro-credential in Vaccine Production and Quality Assurance provides accelerated, experiential, and industry- centered training on the fundamentals of vaccine production and emerging technologies. Existing and novel vaccine platform technologies are explored, including nucleic acid-based (DNA/RNA) and recombinant protein-based technologies.
Completing this micro-credential will provide the knowledge and skills needed to secure in-demand jobs in vaccine biomanufacturing and processing.
NEXT ENROLMENT
• January 27 – April 8, 2025
DELIVERY (Blended)
• Modules 1-8: Mandatory asynchronous online modules, with optional synchronous sessions.
• Module 9: Mandatory in-person laboratory session.
What you will learn
This course will teach participants to:
- Implement basic principles of immunology and vaccinology in the creation, evaluation, and troubleshooting of vaccine-related solutions.
- Describe traditional and emerging platforms for vaccine production and evaluate their advantages and challenges.
- Identify key stages to bring vaccines from research and development to commercialization.
- Identify main equipment used in vaccine production along with key principles of equipment qualification and validation in a manufacturing setting.
- Define Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and their importance in vaccine production, safety, and efficacy.
- Apply procedures and standards used in Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) to maintain high-quality vaccine production.
- Describe and evaluate the role of public health agencies and regulatory bodies in vaccine approval and distribution.
- Appreciate the importance of community engagement and education in the successful implementation of vaccination programs.
Program benefits
The Vaccine Production and Quality Assurance micro-credential is designed for science trainees or professionals looking to upskill for vaccine production-related positions. Through accelerated, experiential, and flexible instruction, co-delivered with industry experts, participants will quickly and effectively gain essential competencies to enhance their employability. Participants will also be connected to employment opportunities through various features such as networking events and industry presence in the modules.
After successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion and a digital badge for their professional profile. The digital badge is issued through Credly, a leading digital credential platform. The achievement will populate within the credential section of the Credly account, and this digital badge can be shared through eCV and LinkedIn.
Science trainees interested in careers in vaccine production, or professionals already working in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sector interested in expanding their portfolio, should consider taking this course.
Eligibility
- Prerequisites: two university-level cell and molecular biology (or related) courses, or permission of instructor
Date & Time
- Start Date: Monday January 27, 2025
- End Date: Tuesday April 8, 2025
- 9 weekly modules completed over a period of 11 weeks (2 break weeks).
Delivery
- Blended: Instruction will take place mainly online. Students will have the option to engage in live synchronous instruction with the course instructor. There is an in-person mandatory laboratory session and an optional in-person networking session that will take place at the York University Markham Campus.
- Modules 1 to 8: Weekly modules open every Monday, featuring asynchronous online lectures, activities, reflections, and assessments. Students are expected to spend about ~1.5 hours/week completing these modules. Optional post-module sessions with the course instructor and course participants are available synchronously online every following Monday from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
- Module 9 is a mandatory 4-hour in-person laboratory session focused on hands-on training in select vaccine production protocols.
- Reading week includes an optional in-person networking event.
Detailed Schedule
| Week # | Module # | Mandatory asynchronous online lectures, activities, & assessments | Synchronous online session with Course Instructor. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Module 1 | Mon Jan 27 to Sun Feb 2 | Mon Jan 27 at 12:00 pm Launch (Recorded) Mon Feb 3 at 12:00 pm, up to 60 min (Optional) |
| Week 2 | Module 2 | Mon Feb 3 to Sun Feb 9 | Mon Feb 10 at 12:00 pm, up to 60 min (Optional) |
| Week 3 | Module 3 | Mon Feb 10 to Sun Feb 16 | Mon Feb 24 at 12:00 pm, up to 60 min (Optional) |
| Week 4 | Break | None | Optional networking event (exact date TBA) |
| Week 5 | Module 4 | Mon Feb 24 to Sun Mar 2 | Mon Mar 3 at 12:00 pm, up to 60 min (Optional) |
| Week 6 | Module 5 | Mon Mar 3 to Sun Mar 9 | Mon Mar 10 at 12:00 pm, up to 60 min (Optional) |
| Week 7 | Module 6 | Mon Mar 10 to Sun Mar 16 | Mon Mar 17 at 12:00 pm, up to 60 min (Optional) |
| Week 8 | Module 7 | Mon Mar 17 to Sun Mar 23 | Mon Mar 24 at 12:00 pm, up to 60 min (Optional) |
| Week 9 | Module 8 | Mon Mar 24 to Sun Mar 30 | Mon Mar 31 at 12:00 pm, up to 60 min (Optional) |
| Week 10 | Break | None | None |
| Week 11 | Module 9 | None | Tues Apr 8 from 16:00 to 20:00 MANDATORY & IN-PERSON LAB |
Assessment
- Pass/Fail
Technical Requirements:
- An internet connection that can support video streaming – broadband wired or wireless (at least 3G or 4G/LTE)
- A laptop or Desktop computer with:
- Speakers and a microphone: built-in / USB plug-in / wireless Bluetooth
- A webcam or HD webcam: built-in / USB plug-in
- Or, HD cam or HD camcorder with video capture card
- Processor: Dual Core 2Ghz or Higher (i3/i5/i7 or AMD equivalent)
- Operating system:
- macOS X with macOS 10.9 or later
Dr. Luz Puentes Jácome
Dr. Luz Puentes Jácome is an Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) at the Department of Biology at York University Markham Campus. Her experience includes teaching various biotechnology courses at the University of Toronto and York University. Dr. Puentes has also developed graduate-level Biotechnology courses and laboratories. Before joining York University, Dr. Puentes was investigating how to scale up anaerobic biotechnologies in instrumented bioreactors. Dr. Puentes enjoys teaching and learning bioprocess principles applicable to the diverse areas of Biotechnology.
Dr. Jade Atallah
Dr. Jade Atallah is an Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) at the Department of Biology at York University Markham Campus. Her experience includes teaching various cell and molecular biology and genetics courses at the University of Toronto, McMaster University and York University, and developing graduate-level Biotechnology programs, courses, and laboratories.
For inquiries, please contact Michael Scheid, Associate Dean, at sciadstu@yorku.ca