91142 Biotechnology
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Recommended studies:
91161 Cell Biology and Genetics
Description
Biotechnology can be defined as the use of biological systems (whether living cells or cell components) for the efficient manufacture or processing of products that help improve lives and the health of the planet. The biological processes of microorganisms have been exploited for thousands of years to make useful food products, such as bread and cheese, and to preserve dairy products. Modern biotechnology uses these traditional practices of fermentation for the industrial production of many compounds such as vaccines, hormones, antibiotics and enzymes. The genomic era has provided information allowing for the controlled and deliberate manipulation of genes for the production of recombinant medical and industrial products and in the synthesis of novel crops to respond to emerging pressures on global food supplies and for the management of pests and diseases. Genetic manipulation has also been applied to microorganisms used in bioremediation processes to enhance the removal of toxic contaminants from soil or groundwater. However, biotechnology is more than just innovative research and discovery; in reality it is a hybrid of business and science. Biotechnology is about translating research ideas into products on the market; making money out of molecules.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Articulate the biotechnology processes involved in synthesising food products and recombinant proteins; in the use of gene therapy; in the isolation and manipulation of stem cells |
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| 2. | Apply biotechnology processes to propose better diagnosis and treatment of disease |
| 3. | Develop proficiency in laboratory-based techniques and research methodologies |
| 4. | Critically evaluate experimental findings and communicate outcomes through a formal scientific report |
| 5. | Appraise the market potential of a novel biotechnology product and translate this to a business, non-scientific audience in the form of an oral pitch |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Explain how current and emerging molecular biotechnologies can be used to pioneer better health care or help solve or otherwise address environmental issues, and to evaluate and integrate economic and scientific strategies that influence the translation of new biotechnology products to the marketplace. (1.1)
- Critically evaluate information from sources such as databases and published literature to identify novel research ideas and apply strategic and creative reasoning to find solutions or articulate issues related to biotechnology. (2.1)
- Articulate the role and place of bio-business in the economy, with due consideration of global risk perceptions and the legal and regulatory requirements in biotechnology. (3.1)
- Demonstrate a confident independence to identify problems or unmet needs and act to find innovative and creative solutions with an understanding of the social, disciplinary, economic, and contextual barriers. (4.1)
- Display effective and appropriate professional communication skills (oral, written, visual) in order to pitch ideas, generate defensible, convincing arguments or transmit research findings within a multi-disciplinary setting. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
1. Disciplinary knowledge
The use of biotechnology in the production of food, medical products and algae is reviewed in lectures, tutorials, workshops and practicals. The key learning concepts from these topics are assessed through case studies and a practical report.
The commercialisation of an invention underpins the biotechnology industry today. Your understanding of the translation of biotechnology processes/products to market will be demonstrated in an oral pitch that will be questioned and assessed by a panel of biotechnology investors
2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking
(a)The use of case studies in tutorials will provoke inquiry and conceptual thinking beyond simple recall of facts. The assessment of solutions presented in each case will test the depth of inquiry.
(b) The ability to research a topic and apply the knowledge gained to experimental design will be developed in the algal biotechnology practical session. Students will take responsibility for selecting the growth conditions that they believe will support the growth of a specific microalgae from a mixed culture and correctly design the experiment to support their hypothesis.
(c) The application of critical thinking will be developed through the critical analysis of experimental findings, evaluation of the experimental design and discussion of these in a written report.
(d)The development of logical thought and problem solving skills are critical to scientific practise. These skills are learned through completion of the practical project. The experimental outcomes will be used to justify their experimental design in a written report which is assessed according to detailed criteria. During tutorial sessions students will be presented with a series of case studies or experimental questions to solve in medical biotechnology and assessed according to their ability to present the most appropriate solution.
3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility
(a) Criteria for marking the written scientific report will assess generic research skills such as the ability to gather, evaluate and use information gathered from sources such as databases and research articles.
(b) Teamwork is fostered as students develop a commercially viable biotechnology product during a series of workshops. Company positions and tasks will be delegated amongst team members to ensure successful completion within the time frame. Regular group discussion will be required to develop the final pitch. Each individuals contribution to the project will be assessed by their peers using the online program SPARK.
(c) Ethics and professional conduct in science is learned through practicals and workshops, which include a full discussion on the reasons against and consequences of data fabrication and plagiarism. The ethical implications of biotechnology is also discussed during lectures
(d) Prior to working in the laboratory students will be tasked with completing a lab induction to introduce the expectations of working in a PC2 laboratory. To demonstrate a full understanding of this, students will be required to pass an online quiz and complete a risk assessment of the practical before starting experimental work.
(e) Self-discipline is learned through active participation in tutorials which require the completion of pre-class work and in-class discussion of selected topics. The extent of preparation and participation is indirectly assessed through the graded case studies.
(f) In creating a unique biotechnology product, evaluating the consumer population and assessing the market potential, you will develop an understanding of how science underpins society, the applications of science in different cultures. This project will also enhance your ability to identify and engage with current and future challenges
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
(a)The ability to make effective judgements about one’s own work will be developed during practical classes where examples of poor to exemplar scientific reports will be evaluated according to the grading criteria. The quality of self-assessment will be determined as part of the report submission process
(b) The ability to engage with, and act on feedback from your peers regarding your own performance will be developed during the commercial group project.
(c) The development of a theoretical, commercial viable biotechnology product will require attributes of creativity and conceptualised thinking. The innovation of the commercialisation strategy taken by the student company for their product is one of the criteria assessed by the investor panel.
5. Communication
(a) Excellence in written scientific communication is developed through the process of writing a practical report. Clear and logical writing that follows standard practise in scientific communication will be assessed according to detailed marking criteria. The written communication of the design, implementation and analysis of an experimental procedure will also be assessed.
(b) Oral communication skills will be developed and practised during the company project in which students will work together in teams to develop a hypothetical biotechnology product. The innovation, patent position and market value of the product will be communicated to a panel of non-scientific biotechnology investors via an oral pitch followed by a Q&A session. Several criteria will be assessed including clarity of delivery, presentation style and ability to deal with questions.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is delivered through online lectures, workshops, practicals and independent learning activities. As biotechnology is such a current and changing field there is no textbook to accompany this subject. Instead all supporting literature is either provided during classes or made available through Canvas.
Typically, you will be expected to attend University and/or online classes for 4-6 hours per week.
Food biotechnology: This element of the subject will be delivered via the Food Biotechnology module online on Canvas, allowing you to engage in asynchronous learning at your own pace. This will provide information with regard to the historical perspective of biotechnological processes and how these contribute to the production of food. Your understanding of this will be assessed via an online quiz.
Medical Biotechnology: There are no lectures for this aspect of the subject. All material is initially delivered online in the form of a movie, scientific report or discussion paper and at workshops that you will find on Canvas. You are expected to view this material in the week prior to each workshop. During the workshop, you (with the support of the teaching associates) will use the information delivered online to work through case studies or experimental questions. Accompanying this area of biotechnology is a series of practical classes, in which you will use naturally occurring microorganism to produce medically relevant biotechnology product. Data will be gathered, analysed and presented as a written practical report.
Environmental Biotechnology: The content for this section will be delivered online in the form of a movie, lecture, scientific report or discussion paper that you will find on Canvas. The content will be reinforced in practical classes. Accompanying this area of biotechnology is a series of practical classes to assess optimal conditions to support the growth of a particular species of algae from a mixed culture. Each group will record the growth of their alage over the course of three weeks through a series of biochemical readouts. Data will be gathered, analysed and presented as a written practical report.
Commercial Biotechnology: This aspect of the subject is taught through a group project. You will be formed into teams, each representing a new biotech start up company. The first workshop will use a number of exercises to teach you how to work effectively as a team. During this process you will also be tasked with identifying your skill set and reflecting about how you might contribute to the team. This activity will also be completed at the end of the project. During this workshop, you will also be introduced to an online peer review system, through which you will submit a review of your team members contribution throughout the course of the project.
Each company will be tasked to work together to design a new and innovative biotechnology product. Over a series of workshops the companies will work with industry experts to evaluate the marketability of their product. Specifically, each team will assess patent positioning, regulatory issues, commercial landscape and market evaluation for their product. Using the information and knowledge gained during these workshops each company will produce and deliver a pitch to a panel of biotechnology investors.
Content (topics)
This subject is designed to develop an understanding of the biotechnology industry from the most fundamental aspects to the cutting edge technologies used today, with a focus on the major streams of food, medical and environmental biotechnology. Fundamental aspects such as fermentation, molecular cloning and recombinant protein expression are explained in detail. The more recent influence of the genomic era on the development of medical biotechnology is explored and the current application of biotechnology to a sustainable, green, environment is analysed. The group project which requires the development of a theoretical, potentially commercially viable, biotechnology product will develop knowledge and skills in the areas of science commercialisation, biotechnology regulation, leadership and decision making.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Algal Biotechnology Practical Report
| Intent: | This assessment item addresses the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Criteria: | Demonstrated understanding of biotechnology processes and an ability to place practical outcomes in this context Detailed attention to methodology and presentation of data Correct formatting and layout; according to the instructions given Quality and use of references Findings and conclusions clearly presented to a scientific reader Critical Discussion of experimental findings |
Assessment task 2: Medical Biotechnology Case studies
| Intent: | This assessment item addresses the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research Inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | Demonstrated understanding of the topic and practical application of knowledge |
Assessment task 3: Commercial Pitch
| Intent: | This assessment item addresses the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation and Creativity 5. Communication skills |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | Innovation (a new and creative bio-technological approach) Scientific and Technical Relevance; must fit our current understanding and limitations of science Understanding of the Commercialisation process: Market Opportunity and IP Quality of Presentation Ability to answer questions Quality of Reflection and quality of peer review |
Minimum requirements
Students are strongly recommended to watch all online lectures and attend all online workshops. Attendence at all practical classes (either in person or self paced online) is also strongly recommended. Where students cannot attend live online workshops because of timetable clashes, they must ensure they review the provided material in their own time. Students are required to obtain an overall grade of 50%.
Recommended texts
There is no text book for this subject. All necessary material will be provided through UTS online as videos, web links or reading material