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.

The following coursework requirements must be met before a student can receive an assessment for the course:

• The student’s specification of learning outcomes for the course
• Teaching/providing guidance to patients and/or fellow students
• Attendance in compulsory activities
  • Simulation

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.

A handheld calculator that cannot be used for wireless communication or to perform symbolic calculations. If the calculator’s internal memory can store data, the memory must be deleted before the exam. Random checks may be carried out.

Students must have passed ANESTPRA20 Clinical Studies in Nurse Anaesthesia, Level 2 in order to start this course.

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

Knowledge

The student

• has advanced knowledge of nurse anaesthesia that enables him/her to care for acutely and/or critically ill patients in a vulnerable, critical and life-threatening phase in and outside a hospital setting

• has advanced knowledge of the experiences, reactions and needs of patients and next of kin in connection with acute and/or critical illness in an age-related and multicultural perspective
• has advanced knowledge of observations, monitoring and clinical assessments in connection with acute and/or critical illness, anaesthesia, sedation and analgesia
• has in-depth knowledge of different surgical examinations and procedures and their effect on the patient's situation and on the responsibilities and function of the nurse anaesthetist

• has advanced knowledge of anaesthesiology and emergency medicine

• has advanced knowledge of complications in connection with acute and critical illness, anaesthesiology, sedation and analgesia
• has advanced knowledge of how to maintain and restore vital functions if they are threatened

• has in-depth knowledge of characteristics of particular patient groups that have implications for the choice and administration of anaesthetics
• has in-depth knowledge of how to communicate adapted information about anaesthesia and nurse anaesthesia to patients, next of kin, colleagues and other professional groups
• is capable of analysing problems relating to nurse anaesthesia on the basis of the discipline’s history, traditions, distinctive nature and place in society

Skills

The student

• is capable of practising nurse anaesthesia in accordance with ethical principles and healthcare legislation.
• is capable of independent work on problem-solving relating to the functions and responsibilities of nurse anaesthetists

• is capable of administering general anaesthesia in an independent and responsible manner to otherwise able-bodied patients (ASA 1 and 2) in accordance with applicable guidelines
• is capable of administering anaesthesia to patients with more complex conditions in cooperation with an anaesthetist
• is capable of assessing the link between illness/injury and the choice of anaesthetics and methods
• is capable of observing, assessing and identifying a patient's general and special needs, resources and problems through communication and cooperation with the patient and his/her next of kin
• is capable of applying relevant knowledge about patients who are to undergo anaesthesia, taking into account the patient’s condition and the nature of the procedure, and determining whether a patient needs to be seen by an anaesthetist
• is capable of independently identifying fluid and electrolyte imbalances and initiating adequate treatment following surgical treatment and anaesthesia
• is capable of using the anaesthetic machine and advanced medical equipment commonly used in treatment in a conscious and sound manner
• is capable of documenting, evaluating and quality assuring nurse anaesthesia
• is capable of using his/her knowledge to prevent stress and anxiety in patients through communication and information and by promoting a secure and supportive environment
• is capable of administering and evaluating pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain relief
• is capable of independently identifying acute and problematic situations
• is capable of carrying out wholly or partly compensatory nursing in the event of serious failure of patients’ organs or organ systems
• is capable of making independent decisions in acute situations
• is capable of taking the initiative to and initiating treatment in order of priority in accordance with his/her own competence and within the framework of the applicable laws and regulations
• is capable of preventing psychological late effects of accidents and emergency admission to hospital
• is capable of applying pedagogical and subject didactics principles when informing, teaching and providing guidance to patients, caregivers , colleagues and other members of the healthcare team

Competence

The student

• has action competence in the field of nurse anaesthesia
• is capable of analysing ethical issues in nurse anaesthesia based on discipline knowledge, research, experience and patient knowledge
• is capable of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary cooperation in patient treatment
• is capable of planning, organising, coordinating and cooperating on the available resources to ensure that they are used in a targeted manner in the patient's best interests
• is capable of applying his/her knowledge and skills to new fields to carry out advanced tasks and projects in nurse anaesthesia
• masters the forms of expression used in nurse anaesthesia and is capable of communicating about issues, analyses and conclusions in nurse anaesthesia, both with specialists and with the general public
• is capable of contributing to new ideas and innovation processes in clinical practice
• is capable of taking a critical approach to the possibilities and limitations of technology in nurse anaesthesia

Simulation and supervised practical training.

The assessment is based on the learning outcomes for the course, the student's specification of the learning outcomes and the formative assessment made of the student during the practical training period.

An attendance requirement applies to practical training. In order to pass a practical training course, the student must have attended at least 90% of the planned activities in each course. Students must make up for absence exceeding 10% by agreement with the lecturer and the practical training establishment. If a student’s absence exceeds 20%, he/she will fail the course. Students who fail a period of practical training must retake the whole training period.