Module Information

Module Identifier
BRM0520
Module Title
Biotechnology for Business
Academic Year
2020/2021
Co-ordinator
Dr Gordon Allison
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details

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.

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.
The students will visit biotech companies, breweries, conferences and destinations as available.

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