This module will consider key areas of biotechnology and bioengineering including an introduction to drug discovery and design, systems biology and synthetic biology, gene expression and the engineering of cells to modulate cellular processes, the mechanics of cells from an engineering perspective, industrial biotechnology (specifically biofuels and small molecule systems biology), protein and vaccine based drugs, regenerative medicine and bionanomaterials. This will be delivered through workshops and seminars by specialists within the CMP and involve a number of course work assignments that will consider the most current research and thinking in these areas. This will be complemented by two three day practicals, one on mammalian cell engineering and the other on synthetic biology.
Total contact hours: 62
Private study hours: 238
Total study hours: 300
Poster Assignment (20%)
Laboratory Practical Assignment (10%)
Journal Club Presentation (20%)
Mini Review Assignment, 3000 words maximum (40%)
Laboratory Practical Assignment (10%)
The reading list will largely be the latest review and primary research articles in this area, which will be used to drive a case-study based approach to learning. Students will be provided with their own copies of this reading material, but in some cases they will be set tasks for receiving appropriate journal articles to which we already have access. Two key Journals will be Nature Biotechnology and Biotechnology and Bioengineering. Many basic biochemistry text books within the Library also cover much of the material which will be delivered.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
Have:
An overview of knowledge and understanding of key drivers and principles in drug design, systems biology, synthetic biology, bioenergy, cell engineering, bionanomaterials and protein/vaccine based drugs and their application to industrial biotechnology and bioengineering.
Practical experience of modern cell engineering and synthetic biology approaches.
Experimental design within a biotechnological and bioengineering research context.
The intended generic learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
Have:
Communication: ability to organise information clearly, present information in oral and written form, adapt presentation for different audiences including academic and industrial.
Analytical skills: interpretation of data, marshalling of information from published sources, critical evaluation of own research and that of others.
Team work: the ability to work both independently and as part of a research group using peer support, diplomacy and collective responsibility.
Self-motivation and independence: time and workload management in order to meet personal targets and imposed deadlines.
Information technology: use of appropriate technology to retrieve, analyse and present scientific information.
Scientific writing: ability to interpret and critique the findings of others and collectively develop an opinion in an area, communicating this via the presentation of theories and ideas in a review format.
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