KJM3100 Biotechnology Course description

Biotechnology uses living organisms (bacteria, yeast, plants, animals) to develop and produce different products. Students will acquire knowledge on DNA cloning, nucleic acids analysis, gene modification and gene editing of plants and animals, industrial microbiology, stem cells, model organisms and the principles of vaccine development. In addition, students will explore the ethical implications surrounding biotechnology. In the laboratory, students will learn how to perform horizontal gene transfer, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), restriction digests and genotyping.

Course work requirement spring 2021:

A practical training report (counts 20%) of 2200-2500 words.

Active participation in compulsory teaching activities.

Compulsory attendance in an enterprise or other educational institution.

The student cannot be absent for more than 20% of the course.

Coursework earlier:

Active participation in compulsory teaching activities.

Compulsory attendance in an enterprise or other educational institution.

The student cannot be absent for more than 20% of the course.

To be accepted in the laboratory part of the course it is required to have approved laboratory course in KJM2400 Biochemistry, or corresponding qualifications.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has a basic understanding of biotechnological principles
• can explain how DNA cloning is performed using restriction enzymes
• has a basic understanding of how geneticall modified organisms are produced in the laboratory and their potential contributions to societal challenges, with a focus on gene-modified plants and animals
• can describe DNA sequencing methods such as Sanger Sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing
• has a thorough understanding of the lac operon's structure, function and regulation
• can explain how DNA is amplified using end-point Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR)
• can explain how mutations arise and how they can be repaired
• is familiar with CRISPR gene-editing technology
• understands the principles of microorganism growth and the production of biomolecules in a fermentor
• has a basic understanding of what stem cells are and their applications in biomedicine
• can explain how model organisms contribute to biotechnological research and how the use of model organisms is regulated in research
• understands the principles of vaccine development

Skills

The student:

• can present and answer assignments orally and in writing within the knowledge area presented in the course
• can perform DNA cloning using restriction enzymes
• can choose restriction enzymes and vectors in recombinant DNA technology
• can perform bacterial transformation
• can amplify DNA fragments by end-point PCR
• can perform genotyping by real-time PCR (qPCR)
• can isolate genomic DNA and plasmid DNA

General competence

The student:

• can plan and conduct biotechnological laboratory experiments
• can assess and communicate results from biotechnological and genetic laboratory experiments in writing
• can reflect on ethical implications related to biotechnology
• can provide constructive feedback to fellow students on lab reports and oral presentations
• can reflect over own performance and incorporate feedback from peers
• can find relevant references and cite them in a lab report and in an oral presentation

The course consists of lectures, group work and laboratory experiments.

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• 4-6 days laboratory course
• one compulsory test
• peer-review of oral presentations (ethics assignment) (2-4 hours)
• 1 lab report in groups of 2-4 students

Partial exam in three parts that includes:

- Part 1: One oral presentation (one group assignment on ethics in groups of 2-4 students that is presented orally to the class) that accounts 30% of the exam. This part cannot be appealed.

- Part 2: 1 assignment (1 lab report written in groups of 2-4 students, max 20 pages per lab report) that accounts 30% of the exam

- Part 3: Individual written exam under supervision, 3 hours that accounts 40% of the final grade

Part 2 and 3 can be appealed. It is possible for students to receive individual grades for Part 1 and Part 2.

All parts of the exam must be passed in order to pass the course.

In the case of a resit or deferred examination, an oral exam may be used instead of a written exam. If an oral exam format is used for a resit or deferred examination, the exam result cannot be appealed.

The course consists of two parts. In part 1, Active Wear/sports, emphasis is placed on knowledge development through the design, materials and techniques involved in developing functional clothing. Materiality, cultures and lifestyles are key perspectives in the course and will be seen in conjunction with the Nordic climate. The course in part 1 lasts about 6 weeks.

Part 2 comprises a 9-10 week period of practical training in an enterprise or at another educational institution.

The student will participate in day-to-day operations and become familiar with the company’s structure, culture and values.

No formal requlements over and above the admission requirements

Knowledge

The student:

· has professional knowledge of the development of functional clothing for sports and recreational purposes

· has insight into Nordic values as they relate to the development of clothing for extreme environments and climate conditions

· has insight into the structure and values of an enterprise or an educational institution.

Skills

The student:

· is capable of developing functional clothing in sports and recreation for various areas of use and climate conditions

· is capable of using correct materials, techniques and designs for functional clothing

· is capable of constructive participation in the enterprise/other educational institution

· is capable of discussing and reflecting on different cultural and ethical perspectives, work methods, cooperation and the understanding of roles internally in an enterprise/other educational institution.

Competence

The student:

· has an understanding of fashion contexts in sports and recreation in the Nordic countries

· has insight into relevant issues relating to the environment and climate in the field

· has an understanding of the field in commercial contexts/specialisation in the field from another educational institution

· is capable of planning and implementing varied tasks and projects that take place over time, alone or as part of a group, and in accordance with ethical requirements and guidelines.

Project work is an important aspect of part 1 of the course, and students are required to attend and actively participate in group work. The work methods used in part 1 include workshop and supervision teaching, lectures, seminars and debates. The purpose of this is to develop the students’ knowledge, ideas, practical skills, professional understanding and ability to express themselves. Students are expected to find relevant reading material in addition to the syllabus, and are encouraged to use the learning centres and the resources available there. Joint presentations and exhibitions will form the basis for discussion and assessment of the students’ work.

Part 2 also requires attendance and active participation in the practical training enterprise or in another educational institution.

Exam spring 2021 due to Covid-19:

1. Portfolio-examination (counts 100%). The portfolio consist of:

• Design of a collection (minimum 8-10 outfits)

• Production of at least two outfits

• Process documentation of the theory work (approx. 2,000 words)

The portfolio is graded as a whole and given one grade.

The exam can be appealed.

Exam earlier:

1. Portfolio-examination (counts 80%). The portfolio consist of:

• Design of a collection (minimum 8-10 outfits)

• Production of at least two outfits

• Process documentation of the theory work (approx. 2,000 words)

The portfolio is graded as a whole and given one grade.

2 A practical training report (counts 20%) of 2200-2500 words.

Both partial exams can be appealed.