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BOTN30130

Academic Year 2026/2027

Plant Biotechnology & Entrepreneurship (BOTN30130)

Subject:
Botany
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Paul McCabe
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

About this Module

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.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Critical Thinking

The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Competent

Systems Thinking

The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Strategic

The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Competent

Integrated Problem Solving

The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Competent

Anticipatory

The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Competent

AI Literacy & Agency

The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Advanced Beginner

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

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

AI use: In this specific module (Botn 30130), we will be using:

Level 2X for the Group Business Plan.

AI may be used for initial research (i.e. activities such as brainstorming, outlining, and information gathering collation). This level focuses on the effective use of AI for planning, synthesis, and ideation, but students complete the assessment independently by developing, articulating and refining these ideas.
You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your engagement with AI stops when you begin to create your submission. Your final submission should therefore be authored entirely by yourself and should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
AI tool may be used to correct grammatical errors and improve the language of text you alone have authored. You must not allow the AI tool to alter the sense of any text, offer a critique of or modify any arguments. 
You should keep a comprehensive record of all outputs generated by AI, and may be required to document these as part of the activities, or present them on demand.



Level 1 for the Individual Executive Summary of the Business Plan.

The assessment is completed entirely without AI assistance, ensuring that students rely solely on their existing knowledge, understanding, and skills.
You must not actively use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.


If you have any questions about using AI in this module please ask. Ignorance will not be a valid defence if you end up on a Academic Integrity Disciplinary panel, so please ask any questions so you fully understand how to use AI

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Executive Summary of Business Plan Week 12 Graded No
10
No
Exam (In-person): End of Semester Exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded No
45
No
Group Work Assignment: Business plan researched and compiled by group. Week 11 Graded No
40
No
Reflective Assignment: Peer review of group members Week 12 Other No
5
No

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
Assoc Professor Joanna Kacprzyk Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Carl Ng Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29 Tues 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 30, 33 Tues 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 31 Tues 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Tues 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 12:00 - 12:50