University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USSJAH-20-3 Title: SUSTAINABLE AND ENVIRONMENTAL Version: 4

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Level: 3 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10

Module type: STANDARD

Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field: Natural & Life Sciences

Valid from: Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites:

      NONE

Co-requisites:

      NONE

Excluded combinations:

      NONE

Learning outcomes:

Students will be able to:

      • gain an understanding of biosensors, their construction and their application in environmental monitoring.

      • have an advanced knowledge of techniques for the bioremediation of contaminated land and groundwater supplies.

      • assess critically the opportunities for developing and utilising biofuels and relate these to economic and political factors.

      • have an advanced knowledge of processes for the treatment of domestic, agricultural and industrial organic wastes; they will be able to discuss the application of alternative treatment strategies.

      • discuss critically matters of public concern and the ethical issues surrounding environmental biotechnology.

      • describe the factors that influence the commercialisation of environmental biotechnology.

      • have an advanced knowledge of the application of biotechnological processes in the recovery of mineral resources.

Syllabus Content:

• Biosensors. The structure of biosensing devices and their application in environmental monitoring and pollution control.

• Waste Treatment. Aerobic and anaerobic processes. Treatment of domestic, agricultural and industrial organic wastes. Biofilms and immobilisation processes. Novel methods for sewage treatment; applications of microalgae and macrophytes. Integrated sewage treatment, potable water treatment and energy production systems. Applications for the developing nations.

• Energy & Fuels. Biofuels; alternative renewable fuels. Biomass, methane, hydrogen, alcohol, diesel fuels. The economics of biofuel production.

• Mineral Resource Recovery. Applications of bioleaching in the extraction of copper from waste ores. Microbial enhanced oil recovery. Process economics.

• Contaminated Land and Groundwater Remediation. The nature of land and groundwater contamination. The application of bioremediation processes; phytoremediation. In situ and ex situ soil remediation processes; soil farming.

• Enzyme Technology. Applications of enzymes in treatment processes. Bulk production of enzymes.

Teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught by a combination of lectures, practicals and tutorials. Time will be allocated for student centred learning which will involve groupwork based on the practical sessions, preparing and delivering a presentation.

Reading Strategy

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

V. Moses and R.E. Cape (1991). 'Biotechnology: The Science and the Business' . Published by Harwood Academic Publishers, Chur, Switzerland. (2nd edition to be published in 1998)

The main source of information for this module will be from journals including:

Nature Biotechnology

Nature

Current Opinion in Biotechnology

Chemistry & Industry

Trends in Biotechnology

Periodicals:

The Economist

New Scientist

Newspapers:

Broadsheet national daily and Sunday newspapers

Internet:

Various appropriate sites

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 60% B: 40 %

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A Element weighting (%)

EX3

Examination - 3 hour

1

     
     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting (%)

ES1

Essay

3

OP1

Presentation

1

     
 

 

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) NO

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting (%)

EX3

Examination - 3 hour

1

     
     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting (%)

ES1

Extended essay

1

     
     
 

 

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. YES

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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