UnitLevel 1Undergraduate

BTH1802 Fundamentals of biotechnology

Faculty of Science

BTH1802 Fundamentals of biotechnology is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2023 in Semester 1 at Malaysia. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2023
Semester 1
Malaysia
Assessment
Exam 50%
and 4 other tasks

This is the 2023 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

Reviews

No reviews yet

No reviews yet. Be the first to review BTH1802.

Requisites

Before BTH1802

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After BTH1802

No unit lists BTH1802 as a prerequisite in the 2023 handbook.

Enrolment rules

Prohibition: BTH1011

Overview

This unit will cover classical and modern biotechnology, including recent developments in molecular biology and its applications in agriculture, food, medicine and the environment. This includes an introduction to bio-prospecting and pharmaceuticals; genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics; environmental and industrial biotechnology and current issues and concerns surrounding biotechnology. Related topics in human genome project, risk assessment, biosafety and genetically modified organisms and crops, cloning, patents, ethics, intellectual property rights and the regulatory framework for biotechnology will be discussed.

Offerings in 2023

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterMalaysiaOn campus

Assessment

  • Biotechnology product investigation
    5%
  • Quizzes (2 x 7.5% )
    15%
  • Review of a biotechnology topic
    10%
  • Web pages/mini-poster describing a biotechnology product
    20%
  • Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)
    50%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental techniques and the basic principles of molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology that are applied within the field of biotechnology;

  2. 2

    Demonstrate an understanding of the applications and impact of biotechnology in the areas of agriculture, medicine, and industry;

  3. 3

    Assess and manage occupational health and safety issues related to biotechnology activities in the laboratory and in environmental and industrial settings;

  4. 4

    Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of biotechnology business, intellectual property rights, and the regulatory framework governing the biotechnology industry;

  5. 5

    Apply knowledge of the fundamental ethical and regulatory issues surrounding the biotechnology field;

  6. 6

    Communicate biotechnology findings effectively in written form.

Workload and teaching

  • Lectures36 hours
  • Tutorials24 hours
  • Teaching approachOnline learning
  • Teaching approachActive learning

The semester workload requirement for this unit is 144 hours that includes scheduled learning activities (60 hours, made up of 36 hours lecture and 24 hours tutorials) and independent study (84 hours).

Moodle will be the main electronic depository for subject material and interaction with lecturing staff (outside class times).

Lectures will be used to deliver the formal unit content. Tutorials will be held weekly where you will participate in interactive activities, discussion sessions, and informal evaluations Teaching staff will guide and provide feedback to help you complete your assignments and weekly exercises.

Learning resources

Required resources

Biotechnology: an illustrated primer (2016). Rolf D. Schmid and Claudia Schmidt-Dannert.

 

Recommended resources

Biotechnology fundamentals, 3rd Ed. (2020). Firdos Alam Khan.

Principles of biotechnology (2018). Christina A. Crawford.

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

Unit Coordinators
Associate Professor Kumaran Narayanan
Chief Examiners
Associate Professor Kumaran Narayanan

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for BTH1802?

BTH1802 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is BTH1802 offered?

In 2023, BTH1802 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia.

Does BTH1802 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
1
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Organisational unit
Malaysia School of Science
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available