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

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

None

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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