Course Catalogue

The overall aims of the programme are: 1. To provide students with specialist knowledge in areas of biotechnology including fermentation, recombinant DNA and cell technologies through a range of teaching and learning activities. 2. To enhance students' understanding of the instrumentation and their applications used in the field of biotechnology through both practical and theoretical lectures and workshops. 3. To provide students with opportunities to work within a research laboratory in an industrial/academic setting, so as to develop their practical research skills, good laboratory practice and risk assessment. 4. To develop the students employability and transferable skills including; written and verbal communication, IT, problem-solving, teamwork and time management skills.

Knowledge acquisition will be achieved through a combination of interactive lectures, tutorial, workshops and seminars. Practical skills are developed by wet and dry practical activities, demonstrations, project work, external visits and seminars (external/internal speakers). The four month research project/placement serves to develop knowledge and understanding of concepts and theories applicable to the broad area of biotechnology. This is achieved through a combination of examination papers and coursework in the form of laboratory reports, essays, oral examination, poster presentation, research grant proposal, problem solving exercises, group work and project thesis. Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme. Critical analysis and problem solving skills are embedded in all modules and are taught, developed and practised through workshops, tutorials (small group),formative assessment exercises and all forms of project work. Experimental, research and design skills are further developed and practised through a broad range of coursework activities, laboratory work and all project work. Individual feedback is given on all work submitted. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are normally assessed by examination and project report/paper/poster. Experimental research and design skills are assessed by essays, portfolio, oral presentations, group report and practical report write-up. Practical skills are taught and developed through the programmes experimental components which include practical sessions, mini-project work and research project. Experimental design is taught in the Research Methods module via lectures and workshops. Assessed in project thesis, mini-project, paper preparation, portfolio and practical report write-up. Transferable skills are taught, developed and practised through the teaching and learning programme. Specialist mathematical skills are taught on specific modules, more basic skills are normally practised on all modules Assessed primarily through written examination and coursework including reports, poster presentation, essays and oral presentations.

The programme offers a 12 week work based learning in the project module (7109BTBMOL). Students will be offered a research project in biotechnology and related areas. The work may be undertaken in a large/SME organisation, Research Institute or University premises. All work offers students the opportunity to develop their critical reasoning and complex problem solving skills. Emphasis is also focused on the acquisition of new knowledge and skills that would secure future employment within the biotechnology and related sectors.