BTH1802 Trends in biotechnology
Faculty of Science
BTH1802 Trends in biotechnology is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2027 in Semester 1 at Malaysia. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2027
- Semester 1
- Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 2 other tasks
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Overview
This unit provides a comprehensive overview of classical and modern biotechnology, as well as recent advancements and new directions in biotechnology. This unit covers a wide range of topics, including recent developments in molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology, and their applications in agriculture, the food industry, medicine and the environment. It also introduces the increasing role of bioinformatics and OMICS technologies in research and development. You will explore the impact of biotechnology on healthcare through the development of vaccines, personalized medicines and innovative gene therapies, as well as its applications in agriculture to create genetically modified crops to improve food security. This unit also addresses the safety, ethical, legal and societal implications of biotechnological innovations and promotes critical thinking about the responsibilities and challenges facing biotechnologists. Through invited lectures from industry experts and hands-on activities, you will gain practical insights and develop a nuanced understanding of how cutting-edge biotechnology trends are shaping the future of science and society. The aim of this unit is to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and navigate the rapidly evolving field of biotechnology.
Offerings in 2027
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Assignment 1Written25%
- Assignment 2Presentation35%
- In-semester examQuiz / Test40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental techniques and the basic principles of molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology, including emerging trends in biotechnology, and their applications in agriculture, healthcare and the environment;
- 2
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of the OMICS technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, and their applications to scientific research;
- 3
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of biotechnology business, intellectual property rights, and the regulatory framework governing the biotechnology industry;
- 4
Explain ethical issues related to biotechnology, such as genetic modifications and bioprospecting, and consider societal implications of biotechnological advancements; and
- 5
Communicate scientific findings related to biotechnology, both verbally and in writing, using appropriate terminologies and formats effectively.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures36 hours
- Tutorials22 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachIndustry-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
The semester workload requirement for this unit is 144 hours that includes scheduled learning activities (58 hours, made up of 36 hours lecture and 24 hours tutorials) and independent study (86 hours).
Weekly workload consists of:
- Three 1-hour lectures;
- One 2-hour tutorial and
- Seven hours of independent study.
Moodle will be the main electronic depository for subject material and interaction with lecturing staff (outside class times). Recorded lectures will be used to deliver the formal unit content.
Experts from different biotechnology companies will be invited to give a talk about the current trends in biotechnology.
Weekly tutorials incorporate various interactive activities (e.g., case study, group discussion, simulation). You will be given datasets generated from different OMICS platforms and will be used as practice data to generate various data analyses and visualisation tools.
Learning resources
Required resources
Biotechnology: an illustrated primer (2016). Rolf D. Schmid and Claudia Schmidt-Dannert.
Recommended resources
Integrative OMICS – Concepts, Methodology and Application (2024) Manish Kumar Gupta, Pramod Katara, Sukanta Mondal and Ram Lakhan Singh (Eds.)
Technology resources
The BTH1802 Moodle website is used extensively to upload lecture materials and assessments. Announcements and other information are uploaded to this portal from time to time. The main tutorial forum is located here for interaction with the teaching staff. You are urged to familiarise yourself with this Moodle site and to regularly access these information and resources to stay updated.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Assoc. Professor Song Keang Peng
- Unit Coordinators
- Assoc. Professor Song Keang Peng
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for BTH1802?
BTH1802 has no prerequisites.
When is BTH1802 offered?
In 2027, BTH1802 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia.
Does BTH1802 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.