Core Module Information
Module title: Microbial Biotechnology [Hong Kong]

SCQF level: 10:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: MIC10603
Module leader: Fiona Stainsby
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Life Sciences
Prerequisites

Equivalent of SCQF Level 9 Microbiology/Molecular Biology modules

Description of module content:

Biotechnology is relevant in many aspects of our lives. For example, it plays a key role in developing products and technologies to combat disease, reducing our environmental footprint, helping to feed the global population and making industrial processes safer, cleaner and more efficient. Biotechnological approaches have become even more important with the increased emphasis on sustainability and the resultant interest in replacing unsustainable chemical processes and/or commodities with biologically-mediated or -derived ones. You will learn about the development, design and operation of such microbial biotechnologies and develop an understanding of the microbial growth kinetics and bioprocessing involved. We will also examine the ways in which the productivity, efficiency and yield of bioprocesses are optimised. The various stages in the development of microbially-mediated biotechnologies, from bioprospecting for useful microorganisms, to the research and development phase and industrial-scale application, will be explored. Important aspects such as entrepreneurship, regulation, ethics, sustainability and quality control may also be considered.
This module will provide you with an opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge to an industrially applicable microbiological example in order to develop a key set of integrated skills, including teamwork and problem-solving, which are highly relevant for the workplace.

Learning Outcomes for module:

LO1: Plan and critically evaluate a microbial bioprocess to synthesise a bioproduct (for example, an antibiotic, enzyme or biosurfactant).
LO2: Relate microbial growth kinetics and fermentation technology to the design, optimisation and operation of bioprocesses and the nature of the biological entity/entities involved.
LO3: Identify the key stages in a bioprocess and critically reflect on relevant quality control issues.
LO4: Critically evaluate a microbial biotechnology with reference to its commercial viability (scale-up), ethical implications and regulatory considerations.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2023/4, Trimester 2, FACE-TO-FACE,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: HONG KONG
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Halina Vaughan
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Tutorial 18
Independent Learning Guided independent study 182
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Class Test 40 2 9 HOURS= 02.00
Report 60 1, 3 & 4 12 , WORDS= 2500
Component 1 subtotal: 40
Component 2 subtotal: 60
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader