Accessibility statement

Industrial Biotechnology - BIO00053M

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  • Department: Biology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Leonardo Gomez
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

Teaching will be delivered that enable students to appreciate the range of problems that can be addressed through Biotechnology (via microbial, plant and animal-based systems), the technical means by which these problems can be addressed, and the commercial considerations that need to be taken into account in the Biotechnology industry.

Students will explore topic areas of interest and produce a case report about a particular area: identifying the problem, explaining how biotechnology can address the problem, and the scope for future developments in the area. The expectation is that students will be able to display an appreciation of the Biology underpinning the technological process, and also put this into a context relevant to commerce.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

The broad aim of the module is to provide core knowledge and understanding in the area of Industrial Biotechnology with topics drawn from research specialisations in the Department. It will provide students with a critical insight into the research process, including how various factors, such as funding opportunities, new technology, methodological development, competition and often, serendipity, contribute to important breakthroughs. As appropriate, the lecture sessions will include a lab visit/tour and/or opportunity for post-docs to tell students about their research, to provide exposure to the underpinning methodological approaches, technologies and molecular mechanisms being studied.

Module learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:

Explain the mechanistic basis of selected biotechnology applications at the molecular level.

Discuss how research has been designed and implemented for biotechnological purposes

Evaluate experimental techniques and approaches used for biotechnological applications

Recognize the importance of Intellectual Property in the context of Industrial Biotechnology

Critically evaluate scientific literature in an area of biotechnology

Synthesise an argument that draws on several (potentially contradicting) sources and considers both the biological underpinnings and commercial evaluation of a biotechnological process

Provide constructive feedback on written work

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Critical Review		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Critical Review		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Marks for all summative assessments will be made available to you and your supervisor via e:vision. Feedback will be either individual or cohort-level, depending on the assessment format. You should take the opportunity to discuss your marks and feedback with your supervisor.

For coursework summative assessments (eg. reports, essays, presentations) you will receive individual feedback on your work. This will usually be in the form of a feedback sheet that will include suggestions for further improvement.

During the teaching of the module you will receive formative feedback that may be at a whole class or individual level. Such feedback may include: model answers, individual spoken comments during workshops, peer feedback and individual written comments on formative work.

Indicative reading

These are available through the VLE module site.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.