Program Overview

Introduction to SCI300 Biotechnology and Industry

This subject provides an insight into strategies taken by the biotechnology industry to successfully commercialise new technologies through examination of a product's lifecycle from bench to bedside. The subject will also provide an introduction to generic business skills such as marketing, business strategy, and issues critical to the biotech industry, including intellectual property, regulation, bioethics, and communication and manufacturing/bioprocessing.

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The duration of this subject is two sessions.

School

This subject is offered by the School of Biomedical Sciences.

Enrolment Restrictions

This subject is not available to students enrolled in the BSc Forensic Biotechnology.

Incompatible Subjects

SCI400 is an incompatible subject.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the steps taken to successfully commercialise biomedical technologies
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of how biotechnology products and companies evolve to survive a rapidly changing field
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of generic business skills
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the rapidly evolving field of biotechnology and its inherent complexities
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the legislative guidelines for gene manipulation and appreciate the potential risks posed
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of and an appreciation of the legal, ethical, and safety standards that are required to be met in research
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact of new technologies on society and the emerging bioethical considerations
• be able to access sources for up-to-date information and develop their library research skills
• be able to demonstrate a critical, deductive approach to information retrieval and analysis
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the ethical implications of biotechnology research
• be able to demonstrate the ability to review current literature and analyse search results
• be able to effectively communicate their results in oral presentations and written reports

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Business Skills:
  • Business plan writing
  • Project management
  • Marketing and strategy development
• Communication Skills:
  • Strategies for information retrieval and critical appraisal of the literature
  • Organisation of information
  • Conventions of scientific writing and discourse
• Intellectual Property:
  • The role and implications of patenting in the biotechnology industry
• Research - the paper chase:
  • The ethical, legal, safety, and monetary requirements of research, audits, and guidelines
• Ethical issues in research:
  • Human, animal, and genetic manipulation
• Approvals required for laboratory and clinical research
• Preparation of a literature review, biotechnology business plan, and a project management plan