autumn 2024
BIO-3610 Industrial Biotechnology - 10 ECTS

Type of course

Mandatory for students admitted to Master in Marine Biotechnology. The course can be taken as a singular course.

Admission requirements

Local admission, application code 9371 - master's level singular course. Admission requires a bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology, biotechnology or chemistry of minimum 80 ECTS.

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

The objective of this course is for students to develop advanced knowledge and skills related to industrial development of marine resources and bioproducts. The emphasis will be on product development including optimizing and expanding bioprocesses as well as raw biological material as value chains can provide sustainable and valuable products into Norwegian and international markets.

The course will cover the biotechnological applications of valuable biomolecules (proteins/peptides, enzymes, marine lipids and carbohydrates) that can be produced industrially from marine and other sources. Focus will be placed upon the technical challenges and opportunities related to industrial processes involved in the processing of raw biological materials. Students will be given an introduction to real-world industry and presented with the specific challenges of scale-up and commercialization. Other specific topics will include: how to maintain productivity, proper documentation of products and processes, quality control and assurance, standard practices, regulatory constraints, value propositions as well as customer demands.

Case studies will be used by examining examples from members of the marine biotech cluster BioTech North and international industries to introduce the research and challenges that underpin different biotechnological sectors. Challenges posed by scaling-up production methods from lab to pilot and ultimately industrial scale, are omnipresent and require advanced knowledge. This includes a good familiarity of processes that can be exemplified by the marine biotechnological sector regional to northern Norway.

The laboratory portion of this course will include assignments relevant to specific industrial processes that the students will be acquainted to during the lectures. The laboratory teaching is carried out under tutorial supervision and suitable safety protocols.


Recommended prerequisites

BIO-2606 General and marine biotechnology

Objectives of the course

On successful completion of the course, candidates will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

  • has advanced knowledge about specific bioprocesses involving the use of biomolecules with unique characteristics
  • understands basic workflows for exploitation of raw materials derived from the marine sector
  • has a thorough understanding of molecules such as proteins/peptides, lipids and carbohydrates
  • knows how raw materials are generated in industry, the importance of them being handled correctly to ensure good quality and how this in turn affects down-stream value chains
  • has a general knowledge over common challenges, both research-wise and financial, in creating and expanding the blue bioeconomy
  • has advanced knowledge of how modern research relates to commercial potential, especially in marine biotechnology
  • has a general understanding over industrial bioprocesses and the challenges involved in scaling up from laboratory to industrial scale

Skills:

  • has the ability to apply theoretical and practical problem-solving techniques to the different development stages of industrial biotechnology
  • has the ability to independently develop and evaluate value propositions of various value chains related to marine biotechnology
  • has communication skills on an academic level that allows for effective knowledge exchange between scientific and industrial partners. For this, students will develop themselves both individually and within collaborative teams
  • has advanced abilities to perform laboratory assignments and compile results in a laboratory report

General competence:

  • can describe specific and generalized processes for utilizing raw materials
  • can demonstrate a general familiarity with the value propositions and processes used by real biotechnological industries

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

This course will consist of lectures, seminars, and a compulsory laboratory course. We will have guest lectures from domain experts and students will visit local industry.

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 assignments for each section. There will be individual and group projects, students will write reports and make at least one oral presentation during the course.


Schedule

Examination

Examination: Date: Weighting: Duration: Grade scale:
Off campus exam 09.12.2024 09:00 (Hand out)
10.12.2024 14:00 (Hand in)
1/4 29 Hours A–E, fail F
Oral exam 1/4 30 Minutes A–E, fail F
Assignment 11.10.2024 14:00 (Hand in) 1/4 A–E, fail F
Assignment 08.11.2024 14:00 (Hand in) 1/4 A–E, fail F

Coursework requirements:

To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements:

Professionality Approved – not approved
UiT Exams homepage

More info about the coursework requirements

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 examination

There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination. The student must retake the part(s) of the exams they failed. The re-sit exam is usually held in late February or early March.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: BIO-3610
  • Earlier years and semesters for this topic