This course addresses the current biotechnology technologies and applications.

Lectures, tutorials and lab classes spread over the first three weeks of semester 2.

None

None

Written exam/class test (1 hours) (40%)

Lab report (60%)

The aims of this course are to:

■ provide students with state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding of some of the current methods and applications of biotechnology and their significance;

■ enable students to study a wide range of biotechnology topics in depth;

■ enable students to critically appraise journal articles, reports and popular media articles relating to

biotechnology;

■ enhance students' formulation of ideas, analytical and generic skills and to apply them to current topics in biotechnology.

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

■ critically analyse the molecular basis of fundamental concepts in a range of biotechnology applications.

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

■ identify, summarise and critically evaluate research publications, reports and media articles on aspects of biotechnology technologies and applications.

■ compare and contrast data from different biotechnology applications.

■ critically evaluate experimental data to draw conclusions and propose applications of the experimental system studied.

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