BIOL06025 2020 Exploitation of Biology

Explain the key discoveries that have influenced the development of the biotechnology industry.

Describe the principles and technologies underpinning biotechnology and also the products associated with this industrial sector.

Form opinions on the commercial, moral and ethical issues associated with the development of biotechnological products and appreciate the impact of biotechnology on society.

Appraise an area of medical biotechnology giving rise to important products that we will hear more about in the future.

This module if offered fully online. The Module tutor will provide a range of teaching and learning methods, including:

• • Online lectures, including problem based interactive tasks:
  • Directed reading: and
  • Tutor supported online activities and discussions.

Written examination [60%]

A three hour examination which is structured in two sections. Section A comprises ONE compulsory exam question which all students must answer. Section B comprises five exam questions and students must answer THREE of them. All questions carry equal marks.

Essay [40%]

Students will research a biotechnology topic and then write a scientific essay with full referencing and citation according to the Harvard referencing system. The essay should be 1000 words maximum and have an introduction, main body and conclusion. A reference list (not included in the word limit) should be provided which comprises at least 6 references, and follows the Harvard referencing convention. An exemplar topic is, "Discuss ONE applications' area of medical biotechnology giving rise to important products that we will hear more about in the future. You are free to choose ONE applications' area from the following list: i) the search for new small molecule drugs; ii) pharmacogenomics for personalized medicine; iii) nanomedicine; OR iv) vaccines and therapeutic antibodies.

Please focus your essay on only ONE of the four applications' areas." Students will be provided with information and guidelines, including assessment criteria and submission schedule. Feedback will be written and detailed against each criteria as appropriate.

Two formative assessment opportunities will be given within the module for students to research and then present reflective statements in less than 400 words on the topics of "Should bioscientists aim to commercially exploit their research?" and "Present arguments for and against human cloning." Students will be provided with information and guidelines, including formative assessment criteria which cover written communication and wider reading for both, explanation of the technology transfer process in the former and the technology in the latter, and expressing own view points in the former and arguments for and against in the latter. This formative assessment will help in preparation for the written examination.

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CONTENT

• • Historical aspects of modern biotechnology.
  • Microbial Biotechnology- diversity and products.
  • Plant Biotechnology and GM crops.
  • Transgenic Animals.
  • Human Genome Project and Synthetic Biology.
  • Production, commercialisation and ethics of biotechnology products.