Innovation in industrial biotechnology

Postgraduate course

ECTS credits
10
Teaching semesters
Spring
Course code
MOL232
Number of semesters
1
Teaching language
Norwegian, or English if required
Resources
Schedule

Course description

Objectives and Content

The aim of the course is to equip the student with competences in industrial biotechnology that can promote innovation and address societal challenges. Industrial biotechnology is development of products, processes or services for commercial use by means of living organisms, molecules or biotechnological methods. This technology can be applied in industry and society for production of vaccines, bio-based materials, enzymes, feed and food, etc. The course includes a theoretical and a practical approach. The student is trained in solving industry-relevant challenges and develop solution, as well as evaluating these. The practical work is carried out in groups where theoretical knowledge is used in concrete challenges within biotechnology. The cases will be developed together with local industry, industry cluster and R&D institutions.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

  • has broad knowledge about the use of living organisms, molecules or biotechnological methods
  • has knowledge about examples of established biotechnology products and processes in Norwegian industry
  • has basic knowledge about the political landscape of bioeconomy and circular economy
  • has basic knowledge about innovation systems, immaterial rights, business models, value chains and financial support
  • har good knowledge about ethical and societal issues relating to responsible research and innovation, including an understanding of sustainable exploitation of natural resources, and framework for access and benefit sharing of genetic resources

Skills

The student

  • can solve real life challenges in enterprises by the application of living organisms, molecules or biotechnological methods as tools
  • can find, evaluate and refer to various sources of information, and apply these to promote solutions
  • can conduct a defined development project under supervision and according to established ethical scientific conducts

General competence

The student

  • can analyze relevant challenges relating to innovation
  • can reflect on sustainability, environmental and ethical aspects of innovation, and societal responsibility
  • can communicate theories about and methods for industrial biotechnology
  • can contribute to creative and innovative processes

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

200-level course at master level

Semester of Instruction

Spring. The course runs next time spring semester 2024.

All activity in this course is mandatory. The number of seats depends on the number of supervisors and projects available. Max. 10 students.

This course has a limited capacity, enrollment is based on application. The application deadline is Wednesday in week 2 for the spring semester. Please see this page for more information. You will receive confirmation of whether you received a seat in Studentweb no later than Monday the week after the deadline.

It is compulsory to attend the first lecture/orientation meeting, or you risk losing your seat. If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must contact the Study Section (studie.bio@uib.no). The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on Mitt UiB.

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
KJEM110, KJEM130, MOL100 and MOL200 eller BIO214/ BIO215. A biotechnologist must have broad competences and good skills in basic chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology to exploit microorganisms, plant- and animal cells, or components therein, in order to develop products, processes or services useful to industry or society.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
None
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
In order to be admitted to the course, you must be admitted to a study programme at the Department of Biological Sciences and students on master's programme in Molecular Biology have first priority.
Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, seminars and group work. Oral presentation of group work.

Activity / Hours per week: 2 hrs

Activity / Weeks: 14 weeks

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Lectures and project assignment (including oral presentations)
Forms of Assessment
Project assignment
Grading Scale
Pass/fail
Assessment Semester
Examination in the spring semester only
Reading List
The reading list will be available within Dec 1st
Course Evaluation
The course will be evaluated by the students in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the department
Examination Support Material
None
Programme Committee
The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses.
Course Administrator
The faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences - department of Biological Sciences has responsibility for the course and programme.

Course description

Contact Information

Department of Biological Sciences, e-mail: studie@bio.uib.no
Department of Biological Sciences (BIO)