Biotechnology

Programme Outline

Aims

The aims of the course are

• enable students to study a wide range of biotechnology topics in depth;
• enable students to benefit from leading-edge research-led teaching;
• enhance students' conceptual, analytical and generic skills and to apply them to biotechnology problems;
• prepare students for leading positions in the biotechnology industry

Intended learning outcomes

The course provides opportunites for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas.  By the end of the course students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding of molecular genetic methods and technologies in biotechnology;
• state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding of selected topics in biotechnology including drug discovery and design, environmental biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology and biofuels, biosensors and industrial enzymes;
• ability to understand and explain the fundamental concepts of business structures, business plans and models related to the biotechnology industry;
• ability to identify and debate the ethical, legal, professional, and social issues raised by biotechnology

Skills and Other Attributes

Subject-specific/practical skills

• demonstrate the acquisition of general laboratory skills and specific skills associated with molecular biology research
• demonstrate the acquisition of research skills in basic and advanced molecular techniques
• design and execute laboratory experiments and analyse data

Intellectual skills

• research and critically evaluate a subject in the form of a written dissertation
• evaluate and analyse scientific data and present research findings in the form of written laboratory reports and a substantial dissertation
• ability to summarise and review seminal papers in biotechnology
• demonstrate the ability to learn independently

Transferrable/key skills

• demonstrate oral communication skills by giving clear, well-constructed oral presentations on advanced topics in current biotechnology research
• demonstrate written communication skills by presenting research findings in the form of formal written reports
• use computers to search databases, analyse data and present research findings in the form of written reports
• demonstrate an ability to plan and manage time effectively by prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines
• work co-operatively with colleagues to develop interpersonal and teamwork skills within a laboratory environment

Learning and Teaching Approaches

• Key research skills such as experimental design, statistical analysis and research ethics will be taught through the Graduate School programme of workshops and lectures
• Theorectical knowledge and understanding of biotechnology will be achieved through lectures and seminars as well as by student presentations and other forms of student-based learning including student, directed learnding (SDL) sesisons and directed study of appropriate journal based articles.
• Subject-specific and practical skills will be developed through formal laboratory classes.  This learning will be supported by formal laboratory manuals and protocols.
• Intellectual skills will be practised and demonstrated through the dissertation, student presentations at seminars, and in the laboratory classes.
• Transferable skills, such as oral and written communication skills, will be developed through presentations, poster preparation and report writing.

Assessment Methods

• The student's theoretical knowledge of biotechnology will be assessed in two 3 hour exams, essays relating to material covered in lectures, poster presentations, critical analysis of research papers and a substantial dissertation.  The dissertation will also assess the student's ability to research, critically evaluate and summarise a biotechnological subject.
• The student's laboratory skills and scientific report writing skills will be assessed by written laboratory reports after attendance at formal laboratory sessions.
• The ability to design and undertake an independent literature based research project will be assessed by a supervisor's report, submission of a written dissertation and by an oral presentation of a review of the subject area.
• Oral communication skills will be assessed in student presentations of research papers in seminars and of their dissertation subject.  Student presentations of research papers will be formally assessed and feedback sheets willbe provided.  Written communication skills will be assessed in the dissertation, laboratory report and project reports.

Attendance

The Masters course takes 12 months full-time, starting late September 2012. The Diploma in Biotechnology takes 8 months.