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BB50217: Fundamentals of biotechnology for non-biologists

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2016/7
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: ES 50%, EX 30%, SM 20%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (ES 50%)
  • Examination (EX 30%)
  • Seminar (SM 20%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: This unit is only available to students on the MRes in Sustainable Chemical Technologies (TXXX-AFM14 )Integrated PhD in Sustainable Chemical Technologies (Y1) (RXXX-AFM23 and RXXX-AFM24), with no previous background in Biosciences, but with a good grasp of Chemistry (A level minimum).
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To introduce the fundamentals of molecular cell biology and protein biochemistry.

Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing this unit students should:
* Evaluate how the chemical composition, properties and structure of cells and cell membranes impact on industrial processes.
* Critically analyse the different levels of protein structure, the methods used for elucidation and their relevance to function, particularly catalysis
* Be able to design one or more strategies to clone and express a bacterial or eukaryotic gene in E coli.
* Apply their knowledge of enzyme kinetic parameters to applied biocatalysis reactions.
* Communicate their knowledge of molecular biology and protein biochemistry in the context of industrial biotechnological applications.

Skills:
Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Oral communication T/F/A, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A.

Content:
Cell structure and function, nucleic acid structure, DNA replication, transcription, translation. Gene cloning methods including restriction and ligation enzymes, plasmid and phage vectors, reverse transcription and PCR, transformation and selection, biotechnology examples. Protein structure and function, thermodynamics in a biological context, enzyme catalysis.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

BB50217 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry

Notes: