Undergraduate Course: Biotechnology 3 (BILG09014)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The central theme of the Biotechnology 3 course relates to the invention of new technologies and their application in basic scientific investigations, in areas related to human health and disease, in environmental management, and for the creation of useful products. |
| Course description |
Biotechnology is an exciting subject that combines the application of knowledge and expertise in biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, and physics. Biotechnology is relevant to several areas of activity: agriculture and food production; public health and medicines; ecological and environmental management; creation of novel products; development of new advanced techniques. Biotechnology is a very innovative scientific area and is well supported by UK Government Research Councils, in particular the BBSRC. Biotechnology also involves a high level of commercial activity, creation of new intellectual property and start-up companies, and job opportunities (requiring scientific, business and legal skills) in industry. The Biotechnology 3 Course therefore covers a wide range of topics to reflect the above. Knowledge gained in this course will complement that acquired from other Courses such as Molecular Microbiology 3 and Molecular Genetics 3, and this Course is a prerequisite for the Biotechnology Honours Course.
The course comprises a set of 20 lectures complemented with associated laboratory practicals to provide you with experimental skills (note: at the time of writing it is not clear whether the practical course will be able to proceed this session, as we are awaiting government guidance on face-to-face teaching). There are also tutorials to help you develop presentational skills, and to train you in understanding scientific papers. In addition there will be tests delivered via LEARN to train you in interpreting and critiquing data. We therefore hope you will enjoy the course and find the atmosphere to be friendly and helpful. We will work closely with the Programme Representatives for Biotechnology, but please feel free to approach the Course Organiser, Prof. Chris French, or any member of the course team when you have concerns or questions. In addition to the end of Course class survey, a mid-semester survey will be conducted.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Equivalent of the courses listed above |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 21,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 12,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 24,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Summative Assessment Hours 4,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
132 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
This course is assessed by both in-course assessment and a degree examination.
In-course tutorial summary, essay and class test (50%)
2-hour degree examination (50%)
There are three ICA components.
(1) Essay (20% of the course mark)
(2) Tutorial phrase presentation/summary (10% of the course mark)
(3) Class Test in week 11 (20%) of the course mark) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- A basic knowledge and understanding of modern aspects of biotechnology relevant to environmental management, human health, development of new commercial products, inventing novel experimental strategies for biological research.
- Through laboratory training, specialist skills in biotechnological methods.
- Through laboratory exercises, capabilities in experimental design, critical observation, and analysis and interpretation of results.
- Through tutorial sessions, the capability to read a scientific paper and critically evaluate it; data analysis and problem solving skills; good presentational and communication skills.
- Through the essay assignment, the capability to research and compose a comprehensive, critical and balanced review on a defined scientific topic.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The University has identified a set of four clusters of skills and abilities (see headings below) that we would like students to develop throughout their degree programme to strengthen your attitude towards lifelong learning and personal development, as well as future employability. The graduate attributes we hope you will develop during the Biotechnology 3 course are indicated below:
Research and enquiry
This course aims to increase your understanding of the subject area and also obtain the specific skills as outlined in the ¿learning outcomes¿ above. The knowledge obtained, and the development of research and technical skills will be of benefit to you in completion of your degree and beyond. The course will also develop your ability to read and critique scientific papers, and your data analysis and problem solving capabilities through the tutorials and practicals. In-course assessment will enable you to evaluate scientific information and make critical judgements and considered conclusions from your scientific enquiries.
Personal and intellectual autonomy
We encourage students to work independently to meet the challenges of the course but also to strengthen your views by discussion and debate with other students. By exploring textbooks and research papers you can not only expand your knowledge of the topics covered in the lectures but also this will allow you to broaden your own personal scientific interests outside of the specific subjects in the course. In writing the course essay you can explore a topic in detail, evaluate what you have read in a critical way and provide your own summary, interpretation and conclusions. Preparation for the tutorials and full participation in these will improve your intellectual confidence and flexibility through trying to understand, evaluate and discuss new information.
Communication
Through discussion and collaboration with students in practical and tutorial groups you will be able to communicate your views and ideas and to learn from your peers. You are also encouraged to ask questions to your lecturers, practical demonstrators and tutors to expand your knowledge and clear up any misinterpretations you might have.
Personal effectiveness
Transferable skills acquired throughout your degree programme will benefit you, not only across the courses on which you are enrolled, but in future employment and further study. In this course, as in others, time management is an important skill that you will acquire as you develop ways to organise your work and meet deadlines. Group work in tutorials and practicals is also an important transferable skill and by interacting with fellow students you will become aware of your own skills, talents and limitations; and appreciate those of others. |
| Keywords | Biotech3 |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Chris French
Tel: (0131 6)50 7098
Email: |
Course secretary | Dr Edward Dewhirst
Tel: (0131 6)50 8649
Email: |
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