Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

Student is able to
- explain the principles of the most common techniques used in biotechnology
- describe the most important laws and regulations and consider the ethical questions associated with gene technology
- perform analyses using most common methods used in biotechnology and acknowledge the working safety and aseptic techniques in the laboratory
- document the laboratory work clearly to laboratory notebook and report the results in the form of a laboratory report

Content (course unit)

- theoretical background of the most common techniques used in biotechnology
- legislation and ethics of gene technology
- methods of biotechnology
- analyses using common methods in biotechnology

Prerequisites (course unit)

Biochemistry (5O00CV15) and Laboratory course in biochemistry (5O00CE66)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student is able to understand the principles of biotechnology: What is biotechnology, the terminology, the basic principles of common the methods used in biotechnology, and the laws and regulations in gene technology. The student is able to reflect the ethical issues related to gene technology. The student participates in the group work . The student is able to do the laboratory work under supervision. The student is able to report the laboratory results as instructed.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student is able to understand the principles of gene technology well: What is gene technology, the terminology, the principles of the methods used in gene technology, and the laws and regulations in gene technology. The student is able to reflect the ethical issues related to gene technology. The student is capable of working in a group, and is able to plan the laboratory work. The student is able to do the laboratory work independently mainly using the written instructions. The student is able to document and analyse laboratory results and report them clearly as instructed.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student is able to understand the principles of biotechnology comprehensively: What is biotechnology, the terminology, the principles of the common methods used in biotechnology, and the laws and regulations in gene technology. The student is able to deeply reflect the ethical issues related to gene technology. The student is capable of working in a group in a target-oriented manner, and is able to organise the laboratory work. The student is able to comprise a general view of the methodology on biotechnology. The student is able to work independently in the laboratory and is able to help other students. The student is able to develop his/her own working skills. The student is able to document the laboratory results, and report and analyse them comprehensively.

Exam schedules

According to the plan presented in Moodle.

Assessment methods and criteria

Interim exams or a final exam. The students must achieve 50 % on the examination in to pass the course. Grading 0-5.
Laboratory practice (incl. lab work, reporting, and assignments), grading 0-5. A report submitted after the deadline, will be graded on a scale of 0-2.
Obligatory assignments, compulsory for passing the course.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lectures, assignments, group work, compulsory laboratory exercises, exams.

Learning materials

Materials in Moodle, materials prepared on the course.
Several Biotechnology books may be used as reference materials, e.g.
Clark, D.P. & Pazdernik, N.J. 2016. Biotechnology. 2nd ed. Academic Cell
Kück, U. & Frankenberg-Dinkel, N (Eds). 2015. Biotechnology. De Gryuter
Wink, M. (Ed.). 2021. An introduction to molecular biotechnology. Fundamentals, methods and applications. 3 rd ed. Wiley-VCH

Student workload

Contact lessons 50 hours, independent work 85 hours.
Theory 3 ECTS, laboratory exercises 2 ECTS.

Content scheduling

Details in Moodle.

Completion alternatives

Two interim exams, dates to be discussed, or one final exam.
The 1st retake exam, including upgrading the outcome of the first exam
The 2nd retake exam (not available for upgrading)

Further information

Prerequisites Biochemistry or equal and Laboratory Course in Biochemistry or equal.
Laboratory practices are compulsory.