2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
BIOL2303 Intermediate Skills for Biotechnology
40 creditsClass Size: 40
Module manager: Dr Aysha Divan
Email: a.divan@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2015/16
Pre-requisites
| BIOL1303 | Introductory Skills for Biotechnology |
Co-requisites
| BIOL2110 | The Power of Bacterial Genomics |
| BIOL2111 | Genetic Engineering |
| BLGY2225 | Sustainable Food Production |
| LUBS2045 | Entrepreneurship in Theory and Practice |
| LUBS2080 | New Enterprise Planning |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
On completion of this module,- students should be provided with additional training in data collection, experimental techniques relevant to the multi-disciplinary arena of the biological sciences and in particular biotechnology, the analysis of numerical data, problem solving, teamwork and presentation skills.
- students should be provided with the opportunity to engage in career planning activities and develop an appreciation of ethical issues arising within the biological sciences area.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the module students will be able to
- use an extended range of laboratory equipment and practical techniques current to biotechnology, biochemistry and molecular & cellular biology,
- be proficient in the design of simple controlled experiments and in the recording, analysis and interpretation of a variety of experimental data.
- have a sound platform on which to base their final year projects.
- demonstrate a good understanding of the approaches used to study biochemical and molecular processes, and be proficient in the handling of numerical data and simple mathematical transformations thereof that are commensurate with Level 2.
- students will have developed an appreciation of ethical issues underpinning biological work and undertaken career planning activities.
Skills outcomes
Skills outcomes
- Managing knowledge; data evaluation and problem solving, sourcing, selecting & interpreting data.
- Technical competence; laboratory techniques, experimental design, and analysing data, accuracy and IT skills.
- Managing self; planning, time management and career planning.
- Managing relationships; teamwork, decision taking, learning from others; sharing; receiving critique.
- Presentation skills; lab reports, written answers, oral presentations.
Syllabus
Students will undertake a range of experiments using biochemical and molecular techniques including gene cloning and protein expression, PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, electrophoresis, chromatography, enzyme assays, bioinformatics & aseptic technique.
Through these experiments they will further develop their technical competence, as well as their ability to record results, interpret a wider variety of data types and form conclusions that do not exceed reasonable interpretation of the data.
Students will also participate in tutorials to further develop their ability to:
(i) handle, transform and interpret numerical data
(ii) interpret experimental results in order to solve biochemical and biotechnological problems
(iii) draw on material from lectures and the primary literature to generate critical reviews of current topics in the area of biotechnology
(iv) develop hypotheses and appropriate experimental strategies to test hypotheses
(v) appreciate ethical issues arising within the biological sciences/biotechnology area and plan for their future careers.
The tutorials will consist largely of small group teaching. Practical and tutorial attendance and the completion of all work are compulsory.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Practical | 16 | 6.00 | 96.00 |
| Tutorial | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Private study hours | 284.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 116.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400.00 | ||
Private study
- Preparation for lab: 50 hours- Preparation for tutorials: 50 hours
- On-line practice and learning: 30 hours
- Completion of assessed coursework: 154 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Student progress will be monitored through weekly checking of laboratory books/pro formas, and supervision by demonstrators during laboratory sessions.- Continuous assessment for tutorials.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Literature Review | short literature review | 10.00 |
| Tutorial Performance | 6 tutorial assignments; 3 per semester: data handling, knowledge- based problems, case studies and writing exercises | 40.00 |
| Practical Report | Practical report Semester 1 (20%) practical reports in Semester 2 (25%) | 45.00 |
| In-course MCQ | Questions relating to the practical component of the module | 5.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Students should note that there will be NO RESIT OPPORTUNITY for this module during the August resit period, owing to the continuous nature of the assessment. Any student who fails this module will be unable to progress into Year 3, and will be required to repeat the module as an internal candidate the following year, repeating all classes and assignments, for a maximum mark of 40% (in line with other university resits).
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 13/01/2016
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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