Modules

Module title: Business and Bioethics
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: MIC11104
Module leader: Fiona Stainsby
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Microbiology & Drug Discovery
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
2019/0, Trimester 1, FACE-TO-FACE,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Fiona Stainsby
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
Each topic will be introduced via face-to-face lectures followed by class group work in which students will undertake exercises/tasks such as case study analysis, interpretation of business plans and exploration of specific ethical issues. (LOs1-4).

Formative Assessment:
The first piece of assessment, composed of both formative and summative elements, concerns the development and critical assessment of a business concept. Students will present this as a poster and defend their concept in an interactive poster session. Following this and using feedback obtained, students will reflect on the concept, make appropriate modifications, and finally produce a business plan (LOs1-3) which includes a critical review of the regulatory framework and the ethical, sustainability and/or societal impacts associated with the proposed venture. (LO4).
Summative Assessment:
The first piece of assessment, composed of both formative and summative elements, concerns the development and critical assessment of a business concept. Students will present this as a poster and defend their concept in an interactive poster session. Following this and using feedback obtained, students will reflect on the concept, make appropriate modifications, and finally produce a business plan (LOs1-3) which includes a critical review of the regulatory framework and the ethical, sustainability and/or societal impacts associated with the proposed venture. (LO4).
Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Groupwork (Scheduled) 22
Independent Learning Guided independent study 168
Face To Face Lecture 10
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Oral Presentation 40 1,4 9 HOURS= 0.15, WORDS= 0
Project - Written 60 1,2,3,4 13 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 3000
Component 1 subtotal: 40
Component 2 subtotal: 60
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

Development of biotechnology and influencing factors; Basis concepts of IPR, patents & licensing; Technology transfer; Commercialisation strategies and financing for the biotechnology sector; National and global context – markets & trends; Business models and plans - comparison of large corporate vs SMEs, mature companies vs start-ups; Regulatory framework governing management of risk; Introductory ethics and the history of “ethical” regulation; legal implications of being “unethical”; perception of biotechnology by society, sustainability (environmental, social and economic) exploration of specific topics, e.g. personalise medicine, stem cell research, genetic manipulation of crop and fuel plants, transgenic animals, the use of animal/human subjects in research.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:
LO1: Evaluate the key components required to launch a new biotechnology business venture.
LO2: Critically appraise markets and trends in a national and global context.
LO3: Develop and critically assess a concept and produce a corresponding business plan.
LO4: Debate the impact of ethics and ethical regulation in biotechnology, using specific examples.
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

Core - BESSANT, J. & TIDD, J. (2007) INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: WILEY: CHICHESTER, 1st ed.
Core - MEPHAM, B. (2008) BIOETHICS: AN INTRODUCTION FOR THE BIOSCIENCES: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 1st ed.
Core - JOURNAL OF BUSINESS VENTURING: ELSERVIER
Core - ESPACENET - PATENT DATABASE - WWW.EPO.ORG/SEARCHING/FREE/ESPACENET.HTML
Core - OECD: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - WWW.OECD.ORG/SCIENCE/
Core - NUFFIELD COUNCILON BIOETHICS - HTTP://NUFFIELDBIOETHICS.ORG/ABOUT/
Recommended - AUSTIN, M (2008) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR THE BIOTECHNOLOGY & PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY: GOWER, 1st ed.
Recommended - KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER NETWORKS UK - HTTPS://CONNECT.INNOVATEUK.ORG/KNOWLEDGE-TRANSFER-NETWORKS
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