| CODE | BIO3300 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Biotechnology 2 | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Biology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | 1. Biotechnological applications in: a. Human medicine b. Agriculture and horticulture ( including production technologies, disease control and product quality certification) c. Fisheries and aquaculture ( including production technologies, disease control and product quality certification) 2. Fermentation processes 3. Food and beverage biotechnology 4. Bioprocessing and Pharming 5. The biotechnology industry in Malta 6. Bioremediation 7. Biotechnology as a business in industrialized and developing countries and future prospects Practicals 1. Fermentation biotechnology 2. Food biotechnology 3. Visit to brewing industry 4. Visit to commercial Biotechnology company in Malta (eg. BioDNA Ltd o r ICP Ltd) Students are informed that regular attendance to lectures, and to practical classes and site visits is obligatory. Students will be allowed to sit for the examination and a grade may be awarded to a particular study-unit only if attendance to lectures, and practical sessions and site visits has been regular and if they have submitted all assignments and report(s) as required. Study-unit Aims: This study unit builds further on BIO3040 Biotechnology 1 by identifying a select number of biotechnological processes of high importance and delving deep on the selected topics. For each selected topic (which may vary slightly from year to year)b advanced theoretical approaches are coupled with hands on experience through laboratory based exercises/experiments and industrial visits to highly specialised biotechnological companies operating in Malta. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Describe and appreciate the history and modern developments of the oldest biotechnology processes and applications in the field of fermentation, food and beverages. • Describe and appreciate the depth and range of modern biotechnology applications from bioprocessing to bioremediation. • Describe and understand some of the more complicated biotechnological processes from the early conceptual stage to the final manufacturing process. • Appreciate first hand some fairly sophisticated biotechnological processes in terms of design and/or execution. • Have a good idea of the operation of specialised firms operating in Malta in this sector of importance to the Maltese economy. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: (1) Critically appraise different points of view when explaining the same processes; (2) Explain complex processes by starting from the basic principles of science; (3) Identify a number of biotechnology processes that have a particular local nature and potential for application; (4) Critically appraise and interpret data in the published literature related to particular aspects of the study unit; (5) Carry out some of the more important laboratory techniques associated with this discipline; (6) Work as part of a team and apply collaborative skills to solve problems or complete laboratory or field work exercises; (7) Organise and interpret data collected from lab-based experiments or field work and communicate these findings in a written form or verbal interview; (8) Acquire the necessary handling and knowledge skills that allow students to work with competence and with a high degree of flexibility in biotechnology companies both in Malta and elsewhere. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: GLICK, B.R. and PASTERNAK, J.J. (1998) Molecular Biotechnology. ASM Press 2nd edition. ACQUAAH, G. Understanding Biotechnology. An integrated and cyber-based approach.(2004) Pearson Prentice Hall. THIEMAN, W.J. and PALLADINO, M.A .Introduction to Biotechnology. (2004) Pearson Benjamin Cummings. BAINS, W. Biotechnology from A to Z. (1998) Oxford University Press. Additional Reading DEMAIN, A. L. (Editor) (2008) /Biotechnology for Beginners,/ Elsevier, Amsterdam. RATLEDGE, C and KRISTIANSEN, B (2006) /Basic Biotechnology (3^rd Edition). /Cambridge University Press, UK. BARNUM, S. R. (2005) /Biotechnology, An Introduction. (2nd Edition),/Thompson, Brooks/Cole, UK. |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | In THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE CPH4500 | ||||||||||||
| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Prerequisite: B.Sc. (Hons.) 1st Year, 2nd Year and 3rd Year Study-Units or equivalent and in particular BIO3040. Students are to note that they will be allowed to sit for this study-unit examination and will be awarded a grade only if they have regularly attended lectures and practical classes, if they have submitted any assignments, including practical reports and if they satisfy all other study-unit requirements. Please note that a pass in the Practical component is obligatory for an overall pass mark to be awarded. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practical | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Marisa Cassar Ruth Guillaumier (Co-ord.) Marco Iannaccone |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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