Application deadline

Type of course

Admission requirements

Application code: 9301

PhD students or holders of a Norwegian master´s degree of five years or 3+ 2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. PhD students must upload a document from their university stating that there are registered PhD students. This group of applicants does not have to prove English proficiency and are exempt from semester fee.

Holders of a Master´s degree must upload a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. Applicants from listed countries must document proficiency in English. To find out if this applies to you see the following list:

Proficiency in English must be documented - list of countries

For more information on accepted English proficiency tests and scores, as well as exemptions from the English proficiency tests, please see the following document:

Proficiency in English - PhD level studies

Recommended prerequisites: One or several of following courses (or equivalent): BIO-2001 Fysiologi I, BIO-2513 Marin Biodiversitet, BIO-2601 Generell mikrobiologi, BIO-2606 Generell og marin bioteknologi, MAT-1001, MAT-1002, MAT-1003 Calculus 1,2 & 3, Linear Algebra MAT-1004.

Course content

• Microbial (algal) growth kinetics
• Cultivation, fermentation and photo-bioreactors
• Metabolism and metabolic engineering
• Basic principles of systems and synthetic biology

Objectives of the course

Knowledge:

• The course aims enable students to develop quantitative problem-solving skills in the context of different microbial biotechnology applications including marine microalgae.

Skills:

• Students will develop the ability to apply knowledge of modern biology to different biotechnology and bioengineering applications
• They will develop the ability to independently gain technical knowledge from available scientific literature
• The will develop their ability to communicate effectively in professional/technical settings

General competence:

• Gain competence that allows for a necessary understanding of the quantitative aspects of microbial cell growth, cultivation, metabolic modelling, metabolic engineering and modern practices in synthetic biology.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

The course is comprised of 15 lectures (2 hrs). The syllabus is made up of relevant scientific articles and fact sheets that will be given out after the lectures.

There will be problem-based homework assignments for each section. There will be individual and group projects; students will write project reports and make at least one oral presentation during the course. We may have guest lectures from domain experts.

Students taking BIO-8606 will pursue a parallel path with students taking BIO-3614. However, the BIO-8606 students will also have multiple one-on-one meetings with the primary instructor to develop and independent plan of study that will be reflected as enhanced/advanced quantitative problem solving skills that shall be reflected in the project reports and oral presentations.

Assessment

The exam consists of 4 parts, each counting 25% of the final grade:

• Portfolio of 5 take home problem sets counts 25%
• Portfolio of 2 projects (one written and one oral presentation) counts 25%
• Midterm written problem set (to be performed within a 2 hour exam) counts 25%
• Final, written problem set (to be performed within a 2 hour exam) counts 25%

All elements of the exam portfolio must be delivered with a clear presentation of the problem and a solution such that it is understandable by professional scientists and engineers. A graded scale of five marks from A to E for pass and F for fail. All four parts must be passed in order to pass the course. Take home problem sets will be handed in on the specified due date.

Coursework requirements: 

• Professionality

Students will be expected to act professionally; as if they are training for a paid position in a biotechnology industry, business, government agency or university. Acting like a professional includes the following activities: thoughtful participation in during lectures; providing critical and positive feedback to peers; being respectful and courteous to all peers, instructors and guests; using and developing proper forms of professional communication (such as email, share drives, electronic documents); and being present and punctual for all course activities. Students are expected to attend all classes and to participate actively. If students must miss a class, they are expected to inform the instructor in advance. Re-sit: There will be no re-sit exam.