Module Details

Module Code: BITC S7011
Full Title: Biotechnology
Valid From:: Semester 2 - 2018/19 ( February 2019 )
Language of Instruction: 
Duration: 2 Semesters
Credits:: 15
Module Owner:: Caroline Gilleran
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: The aims of this module are to explore how organisms (including genetically modified organisms) are involved in the production and manufacture of certain types of food and pharmaceuticals and the applications of microorganisms in a range of pollution control technologies.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Analyse the impact of molecular biology and microbiology on the pharmaceutical and environmental sectors.
MLO2 Describe how natural and modified micro-organisms can be cultured on a large scale and are used in the production of food and pharmaceuticals by fermentation and related methods.
MLO3 Discuss and assess bioprocessing and pharmaceutical products of microbial origin.
MLO4 Examine and define the fundamental principles, operating criteria and design options for the major methods used in the treatment of wastewater, drinking water, municipal solid waste, contaminated air and soil.
MLO5 Interpret and evaluate national and international policies and apply the major legislative and regulatory instruments in relation to water and waste water quality, solid waste management and air treatment technology.
MLO6 Discuss and compare methods used to create Genetically Modified Organisms and evaluate the use of different expression systems for the production of recombinant proteins.
MLO7 Apply practical competence in selected molecular and biotechnological techniques.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Introduction
Review of the structure, growth and metabolism of microbial cells. Beneficial uses of microorganisms in the pharmaceutical, food and environmental sectors. Factors affecting the growth of microorganisms. Generation and applications of genetically modified organisms.
Bioprocessing
Modes of fermentation, reactor types, process control, scale-up. Recombinant protein production, protein stability, expressions systems. Cell harvesting, cell disruption and product recovery, protein purification.
Production of Pharmaceutical products
Selected case studies: Production of antibiotics, vaccines and therapeutic enzymes, for example, urokinase, superoxide dismutase and DNase.
Water and Wastewater Treatment
Municipal water treatment. Potable water demand and supply, International standards; Drinking water regulations 2000, management of source quality. Quality issues. Industrial water treatment. Wastewater treatment: Primary, secondary and tertiary treatment. Legislation: EPA Act 1992, IPC licensing, Urban Wastewater Treatment Regs (2001), Sewage Sludge Regulations (1998).
Bioremediation
Applications of bioremediation, comparison with traditional remediation techniques, Bioaugmentation techniques using GMOs. Air treatment: biofiltration and bioscrubbing.
Solid Waste Management
Waste Hierarchy. EU and National policies on waste management. Waste minimisation techniques. Recycling. Mechanical Treatment. Biological treatment: MBT, composting, anaerobic digestion. Conservation of energy and raw materials. Disposal of solid waste and associated problems – landfill, incineration. Integrated waste management; Hazardous waste management.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Introduction to techniques used to create GMOs. Problems associated with using bacterial, animal or plant cells to create GMOs. Advantages and disadvantages of using GMOs for the production of recombinant proteins.
Sample practicals:
Analysis of BOD, COD and ammonia in waste water. Analysis of mixed liquor suspended solids, settleable solids, volatile solids and sludge volume index in mixed liquor from an activated sludge plant. Oil bioremediation. Yeast fermentation. GFP purification. Antibiotic production.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work10.00%
Practical40.00%
Final Examination50.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full Time On Campus

Course Work
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing Sem 1 End Learning Outcome 1,2,3,5,6
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
There will be a one hour short-question (written) examination, based on the lectures provided in the first semester.
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing Every Week Learning Outcome 2,4,6,7
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
A 3-hour practical session each week will provide the student with the opportunity to back up the theory covered in formal lectures with practical experience. Students must submit a written report of a professional standard on each laboratory session.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 7
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be assessed by a practical skills
based exam.
Final Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5,6
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time On Campus
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture Every Week 3.00 3
Practical Contact Laboratory practical class Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Study Non Contact Independent study Every Week 3.00 3
Directed Reading Non Contact Supplementary reading material will be posted on moodle. Every Week 1.00 1
Total Weekly Learner Workload 10.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
This module has no Part Time On Campus workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • J.E. Smith. (2009), Biotechnology, 5th. Cambridge University Press.
  • Jördening H.J., Winter, J.. (2005), Environmental biotechnology: concepts and applications., Wiley-VCH.
  • Scragg, A. H.. (2005), Environmental biotechnology, 2nd. Oxford University Press.
  • Denyer, S., Hodges, N.A., Gorman, S.P.. (2011), Hugo and Russell's Pharmaceutical Microbiology, 8th. Blackwell Science.
  • Walsh, G.. (2013), Biopharmaceuticals: Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 2nd. Wiley.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Cheremisinoff, N. P.. (2002), Handbook of water and wastewater treatment technologies, Butterworth-Heinemann.
  • Diaz, L.F., de Bertoldi, M., Bidlingmaier, W. Stentiford, E.. (2007), Compost science and technology., Elsevier.
  • Madigan et al.. (2011), Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 13th. Pearson Education.
  • Prescott, L.M.. (2005), Microbiology, McGraw-Hill.
  • T.H. Christensen. (2010), Solid waste technology & management, Wiley, (available on DkIT Dawsonera online collection).
  • I. Ahmad, F. Ahmad, J. Pichtel. (2011), Microbes and microbial technology : agricultural and environmental applications, Springer, (available on DkIT Dawsonera online collection).
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Waters, A.L., Hill, R.T., Place, A.R., Hamann, M.T.. (2010), The expanding role of marine microbes in pharmaceutical development, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, Volume 21, Issue 6, p.Pages 780–786.
  • Ferrer-Miralles, N., Domingo-Espin, J., Corchero, J.L., Vazquez, E., Villaverde, A.. (2009), Microbial factories for recombinant pharmaceuticals, Microbial Cell Factories, 8 (17), p.1-8.
Other Resources