Program Overview

Introduction to BCM302 Food and Beverage Biotechnology

BCM302 Food and Beverage Biotechnology is a subject that introduces students to various molecular biology techniques, including genetic engineering, and examines their applications in the food and beverage industries.

Subject Description

This subject discusses applications such as increasing the nutritional value of food through genetic engineering, using molecular biology in the viticulture industry to study grapevine pathogens and genetically engineer grapevines, and utilizing genetically engineered yeast in winemaking.

Availability

• The subject is offered in Session 1.
• It is available online and at the Wagga Wagga Campus.
• A residential school is part of the offering, which provides further details.

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The subject lasts for one session.

School

It is part of the School of Wine and Food Sciences.

Assumed Knowledge

Students are assumed to have prior knowledge from BCM206 or BMS205.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Describe the structure of genes and chromosomes.
• Describe how DNA is synthesized and replicated.
• Describe how RNA is synthesized and processed.
• Describe how protein is synthesized and processed.
• Describe how gene expression is regulated.
• Describe the principles of recombinant DNA technology.
• Discuss a range of applications of recombinant DNA technology to the food and beverage industries.
• Describe some social issues relating to recombinant DNA technology.
• Describe how recombinant DNA technology is regulated in Australia.

Syllabus

This subject covers the following topics:

• Biotechnology: Old and New
• From DNA to proteins
• Recombinant DNA technology
• Microbial biotechnology
• Plant biotechnology
• Animal biotechnology
• Genomics and beyond
• DNA profiling and other applications
• Regulation of DNA technology in Australia

Residential School

The subject includes a 4-day compulsory residential school that covers the practical components of the subject.