BIOTECH 1000 - Introduction to Biotechnology I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

The course deal with the major elements of the global significance of biotechnology, the categories of biotechnology processes and products, and in the context of "traditional" vs "modern" biotechnology processes. Also, the key developments in the history of biotechnology and the enabling technologies - fermentation, downstream processing; recombinant methods, antibody monoclonals, analysis and automation, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics. Specific aspects of the biotechnology enterprises in South Australia and Australia are highlighted and then the broader issues dealing with biotechnology and society; considerations in the genesis of the typical biotechnology process/product/enterprise: development costs, venture capital, patenting, product safety, legislation and marketing. Case studies on the interdisciplinary nature of biotechnology and factors favouring local/regional development of a biotechnology industry will also be included.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOTECH 1000
Course	Introduction to Biotechnology I
Coordinating Unit	School of Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Restrictions	Available to BSc(Biotech) students only
Assessment	Exam, assignments/group projects

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Stephen Kidd

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

The anticipated knowledge, skills and/or attitude to be developed by the student are:
1. Be able to define the term “biotechnology” and appreciate its scope
2. Have an awareness of the global significance of biotechnology and its resultant industries, and a broad knowledge of which are represented nationally and locally
3. Be familiar with the key events in the development of biotechnology
4. Be able to state the broad categories of biotechnological processes based on the products formed and/or the process or substrates used, and have detailed knowledge of examples of each of these
5. Have an understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of biotechnology and the associated role that has been played by enabling technologies in the development of biotechnology
6. Have an awareness of some of the current and future issues surrounding the relationship between biotechnology and government, investors, the environment and consumers and the impact of these on the development of future biotechnology enterprises.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1,2,3,4,5,6
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	4,5,6
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	2, 5, 6,
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	4, 6
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	5,6
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	6
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	6
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	5,6

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course contains two 50-minute lectures and a four hour practical session each week for 12 weeks. These timeslots involve lectures, tutorials, field trips and associated workshops.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision). In addition to attendance at lectures, tutorials and field trips as outlined in the course timetable students will be required to work in groups to prepare presentations as well as other tasks associated with practicals. Students are expected to attend all planned teaching activities to maximise their chances of success. In addition students are expected to spend ~ 2 hour per lecture and 1 hour per tutorial/practical in revision and preparation respectively. Sudents should spend a minimum of 5 hours (in addition to the time outlined above) in preparation of assignments, and a minimum of 10 hours (in addition to the time outlined above) in revision for the end of semester exam.

Learning Activities Summary

Week 1          Lecture: What is Biotechnology?
Practical: Oral presentation workshop
Week 2          Lecture: Recombinant technology
Practical: BioSA visit
Week 3          Lecture: Recombinant technology
Practical: Project work
Week 4          Lecture: Developing technologies, legal aspects.
Practical: Oral presentations
Week 5          Lecture and Practical:  Plant biotechnology (with Waite Campus visit)
Week 6          Lecture :   Plant biotechnology
                     Practical: GMO debate
Week 7 Lecture: Guest lecture
                     Tutorial: questions and answer session
Week 8          Lecture: Microbial Biotech
                     Practical: Hospira field trip
Week 9 Lecture: Microbial Biotech
           Practical: Field trip discussion
Week 10     Lecture: Biotech/Pharma
           Practical: Job application project
Week 11        Lecture: Bioprocessing
                    Practical: Biochemical Engineering project
Week 12        Lecture: Downstream processing
         Practical: Biochemical engineering project work

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Type of assessment Percent total assessment Outcomes being
assessed

Oral presentation Formative 14.5                                    1-6
Job Application                       Summative 8.5                                     1-6
Essay Formative 8.5                                     1-6 Debate/essay                         Formative/Summative 8.5                                     1-6
Exam Summative 60                                     1-6

Assessment Detail

Oral presentation will require students working within groups to orally present information on a given topic. The students select a topic from a long list or have the opportunity to design their own topic (under consultation with lecturer). The presentation is as a group, 15 min. and includes a questions session on the topic.

The Job application is directly related with the student linking information they would have been provided within the lectures/tutorials. Aspects are directly in line with the overall theme of the course, what is a biotechnologist and then what areas of this broad definition students are interested in. This is a 3-4 page written job application for a biotechnologist and is due after the workshop on this topic.

The essay directly relates to the lectures on chemical engineering and biotechnology and then further reading that has been directed. There is a selection of topics and these require the students to informatively discuss issues relating to this interface between chemical engineering, industry and biotechnology (1500-2000 words).

The debate/essay has taken the form of a written argument on a question on GM foods. There is a discussion during the associated workshop on the questions and the students need to identify the key issues and controversies and make an argument that answers the question (750-1000 words).

End of Semester Exam: This summative assessment activity will comprehensively address the learning outcomes. This assessment uses a mix of questions and short answer questions to test student comprehension of specific theory relating to the course. In particular, the ability to apply the theory to solve practical problems, and development of logical thought within the framework of the scientific method.

Submission

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment. The examiner may elect not to accept any assignment that a student wants to submit after the assignments for the rest of the class have been marked and feedback provided.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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