Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Practical | 2 x 40 Hour Practicals |
| Seminar | 8 x 2 Hour Seminars |
| Field Trip | 4 x 8 Hour Field Trips |
| Lecture | 2 x 4 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Grant Application | 70% |
| Semester Assessment | 30 Minute Oral Presentation | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate awareness of GLP in a professional research environment, including risk assessments
2. Evaluate the relative merits and limitations of different technologies
3. Critically evaluate the challenges of applying biotechnology in an industrial environment
4. Assess the context, risks and opportunities that exist in the biotechnology industry, including different business models
5. Communicate appropriately with biotechnology stakeholders including academics, industrialists and funding agencies
6. Demonstrate professional skills applicable to a career in biotechnology
Brief description
The module will include an overall introduction to Industrial Biotechnology. A series of talks by practitioners of various aspects of biotechnology, including AU staff working on intellectual property and industrial research partnerships, will be followed by visits to a minimum of four biotechnology-related companies, including a workshop at global Agri-business Syngenta, to provide the student with direct experience of applied biotechnology. A placement in an active laboratory and a series of innovative group sessions will enhance the learning experience and focus on career development. Assessment will be via a grant application and a presentation incorporating the industrial visits.
Aims
diverse biotechnology-related industries. Understanding of the industrial perspective will enhance career opportunities and employability.
Components include:
- A placement in a laboratory conducting industrially-focused research
- Writing a research proposal and developing a professional CV
- Different business models, e.g. IP vs technology
- Existing and emerging applied biotechnology applications
- Biotechnology within an industrial environment (R&D, production, batch testing, etc)
- Making biotechnology profitable
Content
Weeks 2-10: 6x2h group seminars, a laboratory placement of 1-2 weeks, 2x2h assessed seminars
A minimum of 4 industrial visits (4-8h each).
Companies will include Volac, AberInstruments, BioComposites, Perkin Elmer, a brewery and Syngenta.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Required for general laboratory practices such as designing experiments, making up solutions etc |
| Communication | The assessed grant proposal and presentation |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Reflective seminars including staff feedback |
| Information Technology | Research for assessed grant proposal |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Laboratory and industrial experience. Developing a grant proposal including a professional CV |
| Problem solving | Troubleshooting in the laboratory |
| Research skills | Research for the assessed grant proposal |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | Group seminars |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7