BOTN30130 Plant Biotechnology & Entrepreneurship

Academic Year 2022/2023

The aim of this course is to awaken in students an entrepreneurial spirit in relation to biology. The course has two themes, the first deals with plant and fungal biology and their application in biotechnology. Topics covered will include: plant-symbiotic fungi and their application in sustainable agriculture, genetic engineering of plants and pharmaceutical production in plants and fungi. The second theme involves an introduction to business studies. The structure and development of a small business enterprise is examined and production of a business plan to capitalise and exploit a business venture is developed. Students will be placed in groups of 3-6 and will propose a business venture (which does not have to be plant oriented) that they must then research. Students will benefit from workshops to help them with the marketing and finance aspects of the plan.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this course, students will:
- Identify the different areas of our lives that depend on or are influenced by plant and fungal biotechnology.
- Describe the way microorganisms interact with each other and with plants, how plants and fungi can be used as factories and the importance of secondary metabolites.
- Formulate and develop a business plan, including market research and presenting financial data.
- Enhance their observation, interpretation, writing, communication and interpersonal skills. All of these are essential for a practical scientist and entrepreneur.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18
Tutorial

10
Practical

12
Autonomous Student Learning

85
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Task based learning
Peer and group work
Invited guest facilitators for workshops
Critical writing
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: Business plan presentation Week 11 n/a Graded No

5
Continuous Assessment: Essays on taught topics throughout course Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

60
Group Project: Business plan researched and compiled by group Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

35

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students can if they wish submit drafts of essays and will get feedback, feedback will be given on submitted essay, ongoing feedback will be given in workshops on group project

Name Role
Ms Ciara Graham Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Joanna Kacprzyk Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Carl Ng Lecturer / Co-Lecturer