This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module BIOL2171: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

BIOL2171: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	2	20	Available in 2006/2007	None.	Durham

Pre-requisites

Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology (BIOL1072).

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations

None.

Aims

To provide an overview of biotechnological processes employing microorganisms, plants and animals within a context emphasising the principles and evolution of techniques, and practical applications of the technology.

Content

Microbiology.
Life cycles of microorganisms used in biotechnology as host and vector systems.
Viruses Bacteria Fungi.
Protein expression systems.
In vitro mutagenesis.
Analytical methods for recombinant proteins.
Purification of recombinant proteins.
Plant Genetic Engineering.
Limitations of conventional breeding techniques.
Agrobacterium.
Biolistics.
Tissue culture systems.
Selection systems.
Somoclonal variability.
Safety testing.
Cell culture.
History and basic methodology.
Organ culture.
Landmark experiments.
Specialization of culture techniques.
Modern advances Tissue engineering.
Strategies for new tissue formation - isolated cells.
tissue-inducing substances and cells within matrices.
Practical examples of tissue engineering.
Future prospects Gene therapy.
Strategy and methods.
Germline gene therapy.
Therapeutic cloning.
Stem cell transplantation and therapy.
Biotechnology Issues.
Risk/benefit analysis of transgenic crops.
Ethics.
Patenting and business considerations.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Appreciate how the life cycles of microorganisms make them suitable candidates for carrying out biotechnological processes.
Describe the different systems used for producing recombinant proteins in microorganisms or cell cultures, and understand their advantages and limitations.
Understand the principles of plant genetic engineering technologies, and how they are applied to the production of transgenic crops.
Appreciate the evolution and deployment of cell and tissue and organ culture systems for higher mammals.

Subject-specific Skills

Critically assess selected aspects of the role of biotechnology in industry and society.

Key Skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching in this component is primarily through the means of lectures.
Learning is through lectures, by additional reading specified by lecturers, and by discussion.
The learning outcomes specified above are most usefully achieved through the means of lectures and reading, except a critical assessment of the role of biotechnology, where a discussion / workshop will encourage the development of informed criticism.
Knowledge will be summatively assessed by a written examination.
This is appropriate to confirming the learning outcomes specified.
Formative assessment will be carried out by a multiple choice question test at the end of the module to confirm that students have understood the material presented.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours
Lectures	41	2 per week	1 hour	41
Tutorial	1		1 hour	1
Other (Surgery)	1		1 hour	1
Other (Timetabled Assessments)	2		1 hour	2
Preparation and Reading				155
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting
Examination	60%	two question, formal examination	2 hours	100%
Coursework	40%	data interpretation paper 1	1 hour	50%
Coursework	40%	data interpretation paper 2	1 hour	50%

Formative Assessment

MCQs to assess knowledge and/or essay topics to assess knowledge.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.