Module Information
Module Identifier
BRM0520
Module Title
Biotechnology for Business
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 1 x 8 Hour Lecture |
| Tutorial | 6 x 2 Hour Tutorials |
| Field Trip | 2 x 8 Hour Field Trips |
| Oral | 2 x 2 Hour Orals |
| Miscellaneous | 8 x 4 Hour Miscellaneous |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Case study report (2000 words) | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | Grant application using relevant form (3000 words) | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Oral presentation of grant proposal (20 min plus 5 mins for questions) | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must retake assessments that led to module failure. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate awareness of good scientific practice in professional research.
2. Evaluate the relative merits and limitations of different technologies.
3. Critically evaluate the challenges of applying biotechnology in an industrial environment.
4. Identify, target and apply for grant funding.
5. Assess the context, risks and opportunities that exist in the biotechnology industry, including different business models.
6. Communicate appropriately with biotechnology stakeholders including academics, industrialists and funding agencies.
7. Demonstrate professional skills applicable to a career in biotechnology.
Brief description
Through the module the students will talk with company representatives, entrepreneurs and scientists either directly during study trips, or by Skype and by conference call, and learn how various biotechnology businesses identified their place in the market, developed their technology and USP, how markets were identified, the problems they faced whilst becoming established and those they continue to face in the long term, and generally how they operate in the sector. These visits will be discussed during the module tutorials and will lead to a short written case study.
The students will also develop and submit a grant proposal using authentic forms (e.g. IBCatalyst). The development of their proposal will be mentored during tutorials and they will use knowledge of commercial biotechnology and scientific/ technical knowhow gained in other modules to formulate their grant proposal.
The students will also develop and submit a grant proposal using authentic forms (e.g. IBCatalyst). The development of their proposal will be mentored during tutorials and they will use knowledge of commercial biotechnology and scientific/ technical knowhow gained in other modules to formulate their grant proposal.
Content
1x8h Induction day of lectures mixed with Skype and telephone meetings with biotechnology companies, biotechnology entrepreneurs, commercial and academic scientists, intellectual property experts and others in the sector.
6 x weekly 2h tutorials to discuss biotechnology and business and review meetings and study trips, and help the students prepare their assessed grant application.
2x 2h student presentation sessions at the end of the semester.
Visit 4 destinations, typically biotech companies, breweries, conferences and other relevant.
2 weeks of part-time work (32h) placement in a commercial/ semi-commercial laboratory to gain experience of working in a non-academic research setting.
6 x weekly 2h tutorials to discuss biotechnology and business and review meetings and study trips, and help the students prepare their assessed grant application.
2x 2h student presentation sessions at the end of the semester.
Visit 4 destinations, typically biotech companies, breweries, conferences and other relevant.
2 weeks of part-time work (32h) placement in a commercial/ semi-commercial laboratory to gain experience of working in a non-academic research setting.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Required for laboratory placement e.g. design of experiments, handling data, general lab procedures etc. |
| Communication | Oral presentation and also written communication in the case study and grant proposal. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Reflective tutorials and feedback on assignments. |
| Information Technology | Research for written and oral assignments. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | We will look at professional CV during mentoring for grant application. |
| Problem solving | Required for laboratory placement e.g. design of experiments, handling data, general lab procedures etc. |
| Research skills | The case study and the grant proposal will require extensive research. |
| Subject Specific Skills | By learning grant application skills and developing these into an oral presentation of their ideas. |
| Team work | Group seminars where appropriate in tutorials. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7