ANSC30100 Applied Biotechnology

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module provides an overview of modern biotechnology, particularly as it applies to plant and animal agriculture.

The module covers the following topics:
Genetic engineering and agriculture (transgenic crops and food products);
Genome editing and agriculture (genome-edited plants and animals);
New genomic technologies relevant to agriculture (bioinformatics, structural, functional and comparative genomics);
Commercial applications of genomics technologies in the agri-food industries.
Reproductive and therapeutic cloning (including stem cells);
Biotechnology and agricultural biodiversity;

Students taking the module will also produce a literature review on a biotechnology topic of their choice. In addition, there is a laboratory practical and write-up that demonstrates basic principles of DNA-based biotechnology.

This module is a 7 week module and will be examined during the Spring Break in March.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

Evaluate the agricultural and social consequences of transgenic plants and crops.
Evaluate the agricultural and social consequences of genome editing.
Evaluate the potential of reproductive and therapeutic cloning.
Discuss biotechnology and agricultural biodiversity.
Discuss new genomic technologies and their relevance for agriculture and the food industries.
Experience a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory practical for human genetic identification and forensics.

Indicative Module Content:

This module provides an overview of modern biotechnology, particularly as it applies to plant and animal agriculture. The module covers the following topics: Genetic engineering and agriculture (transgenic crops and food products); Genome editing of plants and animals; Reproductive and therapeutic cloning (including stem cells); Biotechnology and agricultural biodiversity; New genomic technologies relevant to agriculture (bioinformatics, structural, functional and comparative genomics); Students taking the module will also produce a literature review on a biotechnology topic of their choice. In addition, there is a laboratory practical and write-up that demonstrates basic principles of DNA-based biotechnology.

On completion of this module students should be able to: Evaluate the agricultural and social consequences of transgenic plants and crops. Evaluate the agricultural and social consequences of genome editing. Evaluate the potential of reproductive and therapeutic cloning. Discuss biotechnology and agricultural biodiversity. Discuss new genomic technologies and their relevance for agriculture and food. Explain the role of biotechnologies in livestock disease. Experience a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory practical for human genetic identification and forensics.

This module is a seven week module and will be examined during the Spring Break in March.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Laboratories

10
Specified Learning Activities

25
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

109
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures.
Viewing of videos explaining key scientific and technical concepts.
In-class problem-solving exercises.
Self-directed learning using materials provided on Brightspace.
A molecular biology laboratory practical component with a write-up assessment.
A scientific literature review project assessment. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

ANSC20010 - Genetics and Biotechnology
OR
GENE20020 - Principles of Genetics

If you do not have the pre-requisite module(s) but have equivalent prior learning, please contact the module co-ordinator to approve your registration to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
ANSC20010 - Genetics and Biotechnology, BMOL20090 - Molecular Genetics and Biotech, GENE20020 - Principles of Genetics, VET20050 - Genetics & Animal Breeding

Additional Information:
Only one of the prerequisite modules required, not all of them.


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Project: Written project (approx. 4,000 words) on a biotechnology topic. Week 10 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30
Examination: Two-hour written examination, Spring (March) exam sitting 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

50
Lab Report: Lab practical write-up. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback provided on project ideas and drafts. Feedback provided to students on project work and end-of-semester examination results.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Angela Feechan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Patrick Lonergan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr John Browne Tutor
Dr Carolina Correia Tutor
Mr Thomas Hall Tutor
Gillian McHugo Tutor
James Ward Tutor