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Course Outline

MBT254 Biotechnology: Research to Product

Course Coordinator:Tomer Ventura (tventura@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2025Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Biotechnology is the use of biologically-derived knowledge (from tissues, cells, DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites) to create useful products. You will follow the pathway from biotechnology research to product development, incl. drug discovery and how genetic material and proteins can be manipulated and produced, how metabolites can be utilised, and explore case studies in drug design and screening. The course includes aspects of intellectual property, commercialisation, and basic enterprise management and the ethical and social aspects of biotechnology, as well as legal and regulatory affairs.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online pre-recorded learning materials 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Tutorials, engaging with guest lectures and students’ presentations. 2hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

  1. What is biotechnology?
  2. Methods of drug discovery
  3. Bioinformatics approaches
  4. Medical applications of biotechnology
  5. Medical diagnostics
  6. Plant biotechnology case studies (anti-cancer drugs)
  7. Marine biotechnology (novel molecules)
  8. Reproductive biotechnologies in aquaculture
  9. Marine biotechnology (aquaculture)
  10. State of the art in big pharmaceutical companies – internship
  11. Intellectual property and regulation in drug development

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge about 1) Drug screening, design and testing 2) Developing and commercialising a biotechnology product Knowledgeable
2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge about ethics and legislation of drug development. Ethical
3 Analyse, create and present an innovative approach for drug development. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

SCI105 and (LFS103 or LFS100 or SCI100)

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

A formative exam (as detailed in Assessment Task 1).

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 0% 
30 minutes
 Week 4 Online Submission
All 2 Written Piece Individual 30% 
Submit report (up to 1,000 words; Tables, Figure Captions and references not included in word count).
 Week 12 In Class
All 3 Oral Individual 30% 
15 minutes
 Refer to Format In Class
All 4 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 40% 
2 hours
 Exam Period Exam Venue
All - Assessment Task 1:Formative Exam (0%)
Goal: 
You will demonstrate and apply knowledge about biotechnology research and development
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
A 30 minutes exam, consisting of multiple choice questions. The questions will be based mainly on the material covered in the theory component of the course (i.e. learning material), supplemented with material presented during the laboratory and tutorials
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
You will be assessed on your ability to: 
Demonstrate knowledge of methods in biotechnology, particularly drug design and testing
 1 2
2 
Demonstrate knowledge of biotechnology, particularly drug development and commercialisation
 1
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Written Assignment (30%)
Goal: 
You will demonstrate and apply knowledge about biotechnology research and development
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
The students pick a product and briefly describe the key elements in its commercialization all the way through from research, to development and marketing, considering legislation and ethics issues relevant.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate knowledge of methodologies in biotechnology, particularly drug design and testing
 1
2 
Demonstrate knowledge of biotechnology, particularly drug development and commercialisation
 2
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Oral Presentation (30%)
Goal: 
You will present to the class a case study of drug design and development, implementing the knowledge base of drug design and development into a product, considering all aspects learnt in class and during the tutorials, including ethics and legality.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
The student will present the topic to the class, taking a case study of a developed drug and showcasing the process from the idea to development, including commercialisation, ethics and legal aspects. To be scheduled for weeks 10-13 of semester.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
You will be assessed on your ability to: 
Communicate effectively the case study in a clear and cohesive oral format
 1
2 
Select a topic with impact and significance in drug design and development
 1 2
3 
Present critical and creative approaches for drug delivery
 1 3
4 
Synthesise and convey key concepts covered in the course
 1 3
5 
Demonstrate knowledge about ethics and legislation of drug development
 2
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 4:Final Exam (40%)
Goal: 
You will demonstrate and apply knowledge about biotechnology research and development
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
A two (2) hour written exam, consisting of multiple choice and short-answer questions. The questions will be based mainly on the material covered in the theory component of the course (i.e. learning material), supplemented with material presented during the laboratory and tutorials
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
You will be assessed on your ability to: 
Demonstrate knowledge of methodologies in biotechnology, particularly drug design and testing
 1
2 
Demonstrate knowledge of biotechnology, particularly drug development and commercialisation
 1 3
3 
Demonstrate knowledge of ethics and legislation
 2
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

Schedule

Period and Topic Activities 
1
 
What is Biotechnology?
 
2
 
Methods of drug discovery
 
3
 
Bioinformatics approach
 
4
 
Medical applications of biotechnology
 
5
 
Medical diagnostics
 
6
 
Plant Biotechnology case studies (anti-cancer drugs)
 
7
 
Marine Biotechnology (novel molecules)
 
8
 
Reproductive Biotechnologies in Aquaculture
 
9
 
Marine Biotechnology (aquaculture)
 
10
 
State of the art in big pharmaceutical companies
 
11
 
Intellectual Property and regulations in drug development
 
12
 
Students Seminars
 
13
 
Exam revision session (and Seminars)

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

NA

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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