Advanced Biotechnology

Course goals

Leerdoelen - Learning goals
The course aims to provide you with a profound understanding of the theoretical background of the many fields of modern biotechnology and their large range of applications.

After completion the course, the student is able to:

• give examples of different forms of research within the fields of biotechnology,
• explain the molecular techniques underlying biotechnology and interpret data obtained with these techniques,
• critically read primary literature related to the field of biotechnology,
• discuss the ethical and legal aspects of biotechnology,
• give a well-founded opinion on biotechnological applications,
• translate biotechnological knowledge into a business idea.

Vaardigheden – Skills

• Independent learning of the subject matter
• Development of a business idea
• Giving a well-founded opinion on biotechnological issues
• A thorough analysis of primary literature
• Creative thinking and invention of applications
• Critical thinking and cooperation within groups
• Knowledge about career opportunities in biotechnology

 

Skills	Part of the course?	Explicitly examined?
Writing	x	x
Presenting
Data handling	x
Practical research skills
General research skills	x	x
Co-operation	x	x
Critical thinking	x	x
Career orientation	x
Interdisciplinarity

 

Content

Ingangseisen - Entry requirements
The student should have followed the level 2 courses Moleculair Genetische Onderzoekstechnieken (MGOT) or Molecular Biology and Biochemical Techniques (MBBT) or courses of similar content. It is not critical if the student has passed these courses by the time the Advanced Biotechnology course starts.

Studie-interesserichting - Profile
Biology: This course fits within the profiles Microbiology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology and Plant Biology.
MBLS: This course fits within in the profiles Genes to Organisms, Molecules and Cells, Molecules & Medicine.
Taal - Language
Deze cursus wordt in het Engels gegeven. De examenvragen zijn in het Engels, maar de antwoorden mogen in het Nederlands zijn. Studentenpresentaties en opdrachten moeten in het Engels worden gedaan.

This course will be taught in English. The exam questions are in English, but the answers can be in Dutch. Student presentations and assignments should be done in English.

Inhoud - Content
Biotechnology is a broad term for all technologies that utilize biological systems, living organisms, or their parts to develop or create different products. This course covers topics ranging from the development of climate-resilient and disease-resistant crops using CRISPR/Cas to the development of mRNA therapies and the usage of fungi for removing contaminants from the environment. The course aims to give you an extensive overview of recent developments in biotechnology and the broad array of possibilities within this field. Different topics and applications will be discussed, such as molecular cloning techniques, genetic engineering, food production, prevention of diseases, and applications of biotechnology in medicine. In addition, other aspects related to biotechnology, such as intellectual property rights, ethical concerns, and the marketability of a product, are discussed. Throughout the course, guest speakers from different universities, companies and institutes will provide expert lectures and discuss career prospects within the biotechnology field. Volunteer visits to companies are organized to help students better understand how the knowledge about biology is used in the plant, food, and pharmaceutical industries.

Onderwijsvormen - Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures, guest lectures, self-study sessions, tutorials, and assignments (individual and group). A laboratory practical is provided as an optional component. You also work on a large final project where you develop an idea for a biotechnological product and write a business idea using feedback from teachers.

Toetsing - Assessment
To pass this course, a minimum final grade of 5,5 is mandatory. Your grade is calculated by the following components:

• Written exam:         40%
• Business idea:          40%
• Assignments:          20%

Every component needs to be completed with a score of 5.0 at least. To be eligible for the resit, the attendance should be 70% or higher. Everyone is expected to contribute to the assignments and work in the classroom actively.

Studiemateriaal - Study material
Hand-outs and papers will be provided by the teachers or can be found via the University library.