Year
2019
Units
4.5
Contact
2 x 1-hour lectures weekly
1 x 3-hour practical weekly
Prerequisites
1 Admission into GDPBT-Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology
1a Admission into MNT-Master of Nanotechnology
1b Admission into MBTL-Master of Biotechnology
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b))
Enrolment not permitted
1 of BTEC3003, BTEC9670 has been successfully completed
Assumed knowledge
The basic principles of microbiology, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics.
Topic description
Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is the application of biotechnology and engineering in the exploitation of living organisms (mostly cells) and their subcomponents for sustainable, large-scale production of industrial bio-chemicals, biomaterials and pharmaceutical products. Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology has the potential to address the environmental sustainability of industry through the development of innovative technological solutions using renewable biomass as feedstock, rather than fossil materials, thereby having a significant impact on the existing chemical and pharmaceutical industry. This topic teaches students at graduate entry level the biological and bioengineering principles that underpin the development of industrial and pharmaceutical biotechnology processes and biological products. This topic provides students training in the development, design, scale-up, integration and commercialisation of bioprocesses, to be qualified as postgraduate-level industrial biotechnologists, capable of performing best industry practice globally.
Educational aims
The aims of this topic are to:

  1. Equip students with the knowledge and skills required by postgraduate-level biotechnologists to perform in the Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology industry
  2. Develop the understanding and basic skills required to take an industrial and pharmaceutical product or process from discovery to commercialisation
  3. Expose students to key areas of industrial and pharmaceutical biotechnology using real-world case studies delivered by guest lecturers from industry
Expected learning outcomes
At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the biomolecular and engineering concepts used in Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology processes and awareness of frontier areas of research and development
  2. Apply their knowledge and skills to the development and design of large-scale bioprocesses, for the production of Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology products at the technical level of a beginning practitioner and in accordance with best industry practice
  3. Integrate and synthesise core concepts and information from other interacting disciplines to propose innovative solutions for the Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology industry
  4. Incorporate their knowledge of regulatory requirements and pathways to commercialisation into the development of an Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology product
  5. Display effective skills in self-directed learning, peer-learning, critical literature analysis, communication, and team work skills with the cultural diversity and social inclusiveness awareness required for global practice