Current Topics in Biotechnology 4A option BIOL4021

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Molecular Biosciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to appraise current biotechnological methods and applications.

Timetable

This option is assigned to block S2-A. There are normally 3 hours of contact on Mondays, as arranged. 

Requirements of Entry

Normally, only available to final-year Life Sciences students in a Biomolecular Sciences programme or an Infection & Immunity programme. Visiting students may be allowed to enrol, at the discretion of the Life Sciences Study Abroad Coordinators and the Course Coordinator. 

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

The course will be assessed by a 2-hour examination (70%) plus in-course assessment (30%) consisting of a class test based on analysis of a scientific paper. The paper will be provided in advance.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

This course aims to: 

■ Explore a wide range of current biotechnological methods and applications and gain an in depth understanding of their significance;

■ Develop a core knowledge and understanding for key concepts underpinning different biotechnological applications. 

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

■ Critically analyse relevant scientific literature;

■ Critically discuss the strategies and principles used for the production of important biotechnological commodities including vaccines and protein therapeutics;

■ Critically discuss a range of biotechnological approaches and be able to evaluate their advantages and limitations

■ Critically discuss the environmental, medical, commercial, and ethical contexts in which biotechnological solutions can be applied.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.