University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Revised October 2008)
Code: USSJJK-30-M Title: Molecular Biotechnology Version: 1
Level: M UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating:15
Module type: MSc Core Module
Owning Faculty:Health and Life Sciences Field: Applied Sciences
Faculty Committee approval: Applied Sciences Field Planning Committee Date:
Approved for Delivery by: N/A
Valid from: September 2009 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards:
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Entry requirements: If the module is offered as CPD or stand alone, indicate the entry requirements
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
Students will be able to:
• review critically the scientific literature relevant to molecular biotechnology;
• gain an in depth understanding of the fundamentals of molecular biotechnology;
• citically appraise the potential of microbes in the biotechnology sector in diagnostics, disease prevention, and therapy; and in deriving commercial products;
• critically discuss the techniques associated with the generation of transgenic plants and animals and their applications; as well as non-transgenic approaches in animal and plant breeding;
• understand the development and potential applications of biosensing devices;
• understand the potential of biotechnology to impact positively on the environment;
• understand the processes involved in setting up companies in the biotechnology sector; their regulation in the marketplace, and the process of patenting inventions;
• critically discuss bioethical issues associated with modern biotechnology.
Syllabus outline:
• Fundamentals of Molecular Biotechnology. An introduction to molecular biotechnology. Biological systems in molecular biotechnology. Overview of standard techniques.
• Molecular Biotechnology of Microbial Systems. Molecular diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutic agents. Synthesis of commercial products via recombinant micro organisms. Microbial insecticides. Principles of fermentation.
• Molecular Biotechnology of Eukaryotic Systems. Genetic engineering of plants. Development of transgenic plants and their potential in the agricultural sector. Non-transgenic approaches: marker-assisted plant breeding and QTLs. Genetic engineering of animals. Development of transgenic animals. Biotechnology in biomedicine: drug targeting and gene therapy.
• Biosensors. The structure and development of biosensing devices and the identification of Biomarkers in the biomedical and environmental sectors.
• Enzyme biotechnology. Genetic engineering, development and production of enzymes for use in the biomedical setting, as a molecular biology tool, and in environmental treatment processes.
• Environmental biotechnology. Biofuels and their application. Development of second and third generation biofuels. Bioremediation: the development of microorganisms for remediating contamination.
• Developing, regulating and patenting Molecular Biotechnology. Company foundation and market opportunities. Regulating and patenting biotechnology.
• Biotechnology and bioethics. Ethical issues associated with the ‘exploitation of nature’ in general and with the development of transgenic animals and plants.
Teaching and learning methods:
Delivery of the material in this module will involve a mixture of lectures, tutorials and student-centred skill development exercises. The emphasis throughout will be on the acquisition and development of the knowledge and skills required in a research scientist interested in molecular biotechnology.
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 Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
Indicative Reading List:
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them. Many resources can be accessed remotely.
Guidance will be available in the module handbook, and through UWEonline. Indicative textbooks are listed below.
Further information will be obtained from:
Periodicals; e.g. Nature Biotechnology; The Economist, New Scientist;
The internet: various appropriate websites.
Molecular Biotechnology: Principles & Applications for Recombinant DNA, 3rd Ed. Glick & Pasternak,ASM Press, 3rd Ed 2003.
Molecular Biotechnology: Principles & Practices. Channarayappa. Lavoisier 2007.
An Introduction to Molecular Biotechnology: Molecular Fundamentals, Methods and Applications in Modern Biotechnology. Wink (Editor). Wiley 2006.
Molecular Biotechnology. Primrose. Blackwell 2006.
Genomics – Applications in Human Biology. Primrose & Twyman. Blackwell Publishing 2004.
Bioethics – an Introduction for the Biosciences. Ben Mepham 2nd Ed, Oxford University Press 2008.
Introduction to Bioethics. Bryant, Baggot la Velle & Searle. Wiley 2005.
ASSESSMENT
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%
The Oral Presentation will be an assessed seminar and will take place in Semester one. The detailed Case Study (2000 words) will take place in the Second Semester – when the students have received the full complement of lectures and tutorials and are best positioned to apply their knowledge.
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A Element weighting
EX3 |
Examination (3 hours) |
1 |
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
CS1 |
Case study |
3 |
PR1 |
Oral presentation |
2 |
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) NO
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
EX3 |
Examination (3 hours) |
1 |
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
CS1 |
Case study |
3 |
PR1 |
Oral presentation |
2 |
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. Yes
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)