Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

n/a

Co Requisite Comment

n/a

Aims

Biotechnology provides food and materials used by humans, and is central to modern medicine. This module aims to show how genes can be modified and transferred among organisms; to illustrate how this technology leads to practical applications.
The module’s teaching is research-led, using up-to-date scientific literature and interactive teaching sessions. Students will read research papers and learn how to critically analyse them to facilitate learning and design their own research.
Additionally students will engage with representatives from industry via guest seminars.

Outline Of Syllabus

The genetic modification of organisms to enhance their usefulness to humans is becoming increasingly important in industry, agriculture and medicine. This module deals with how and why various organisms are genetically transformed using a suite of technologies, and how these technologies have led to practical applications in industry, agriculture and medicine.

Lecture topics: The use of genetically modified organisms including microbes, plants and animals for industrial applications. Genetic modification of plants for herbicide and pest resistance, to improve food quality, and for industrial and medical applications.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

PC1 Knowledge Application: Apply in depth investigation of concepts how genes can be modified for
controlled expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes to solve complex scientific and applied (industrial, governance, societal and/or environmental) problems. As well as critically evaluate and provide evidence-based arguments / solutions by drawing on appropriate academic knowledge and sources. (Delivered, Assessed)

Intended Skill Outcomes

PC2 Find, read, evaluate and use appropriate literature relevant to the biotechnology topics being taught; be able to analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically with recognition that information is likely contested, subjective, and provisional, particularly in the light of continuing scientific advances. Specifically, assemble subject-specific information on key topics relating to biotechnology to produce well-argued and accurate accounts of these topics. (Developed, Assessed)

PC5 Give clear and accurate account of complex and uncertain concepts from within the discipline. Make convincing arguments and engage with styles and formats appropriate to a variety of audiences. Specifically, use written and verbal communication appropriately to convey scientific information. (Developed, Assessed)

PC8 Demonstrate both professional and interpersonal skills to enhance team performance, incorporating negotiation and self-evaluation as well as assessing the contributions of fellow team members. Specifically, to work effectively in small groups to complete tasks that require information presented to your peers. (Developed, Assessed)

PC9 Reflect on experiences to critically evaluate potential career options and make informed decisions about professional goals. Confidently identify the relevant skills, experiences and disciplinary expertise that your degree has helped to develop and effectively articulate these to employers where authentic assessment has been undertaken. (Developed)

PC10 Demonstrate critical thinking to tackle complex, multidimensional problems for outcomes that can be uncertain to produce reasoned evidence-based solutions for the taught themes within the module. Specifically, critically analyse and interpret subject-specific information, from the primary literature and appropriate other sources, to demonstrate advanced knowledge of biotechnology. (Developed, Assessed)

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lecture materials will explain key concepts and outline illustrative examples using PowerPoint slides. For each lecture 50 min videos (ReCap) or PowerPoint Audios will be made available to students. This will be followed up by scheduled sessions (4 in total) to facilitate collaborative research project on using genetic modification to solve a real world problem. Each lecturer will also engage in discussion to answer questions or set up discussion points to help students prepare for final assessments. Private study will augment the framework given by lectures and engender depth of understanding through extensive reading of primary literature with a high scientific impact. Coursework is directed towards preparing and critically synthesising information in a concise manner, encouraging teamwork, and developing practical research skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written examination (60%) will consist of essays that will cover all topics presented in the lectures. The essay-type format of answers will allow students to demonstrate their understanding and critical synthesis of the concepts outlined by the lectures, enhanced by the depth resulting from additional reading of the scientific literature that is recommended throughout the course. The collaborative research project (40%) tests the ability of students to analyse a particular topic in depth, interpret research literature, and design their own research project in collaborative manner.

General Notes

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