Biotechnology

Subject BTCH20002 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 48 hours - Lectures: 12 x 2 hours, Forums: 4 x 3 hours, Tutorials: 12 x 1 hour
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment (including non-contact time): 110 hours.
Prerequisites: 650-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms
Corequisites: N/A
Recommended Background Knowledge: N/A
Non Allowed Subjects: N/A
Core Participation Requirements:

Students undertaking this subject will be expected to regularly access an internet-enabled computer.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Prof Prem Bhalla

Contact

Melbourne School of Land & Environment Student Centre
Ground Floor, Land & Food Resources (building 142)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This course focuses on exploring and understanding the science underpinning the biotechnology revolution. Principles of molecular, cellular and process engineering are explained, and their applications in industry, agriculture, and medicine surveyed. Forums on currently active topics feature invited industry speakers.
Objectives:

By the end of the subject students should have:

  • acquired knowledge of the basic principles of biotechnology for manipulation of microbe, plant and animal characteristics, and molecular biology, genome science and bioengineering that underpins new developments in biotechnology
  • developed an understanding of local and global issues in biotechnology in relation to human welfare, environmental health and sustainable agriculture.
Assessment:

Continuing assessment through the semester including written assignments less than 2000 words (25%), midterm exam (15%) and a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (60%).
Prescribed Texts: N/A
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

  • the ability to interpret scientific literature and interpret data from electronic databases
  • the capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines
  • the ability to comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer.
Notes:

The course will include four seminar sessions on currently active areas of biotechnology, which provide a forum for student discussion of implications for the community of new technologies.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Science credit subjects* for pre-2008 BSc, BASc and combined degree science courses
Related Breadth Track(s): Biotechnology

Download PDF version.