BSc (Hons) Microbiology and Biotechnology
Bachelor's degree
In Wolverhampton
Description
-
Type
Bachelor's degree
-
Location
Wolverhampton
We encounter micro-organisms continually, since they exist on the surfaces we touch and on the foods we eat and drink, and even the air we breathe. In addition to the vital role of microorganisms in disease and the environment they are also used in biotechnology for the manufacture of many products which we use and the foods we consume. The course aims to explore the diversity microorganisms together with the principles and applications of biotechnology.
Biotechnology is a rapidly expanding discipline which is finding applications throughout society including medicine, agriculture and the environment. The course will provide a grounding in the basic principles of microbiology, plant biology, cell biology, genetics and the structure and function of biomolecules necessary to underpin the advanced study of biotechnology and demonstrate how these principles are applied for the development of useful products and applications.
Specialist facilities will enable the investigation of the biology of the cell and the nature of genes together with the biochemical analysis of biological products. The course explores the physicochemical principles associated with fermentation design and operations for the processing of materials by microbial, animal and plant cells (and their enzymes) including genetic modification to make useful products or purposes.
CONTINUE READING
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
The emphasis throughout the course will be on the applied nature of the study of microbiology and biotechnology in terms of how fundamental knowledge can be applied to tangible vocational situations and problems, together with the acquisition of practical and generic skills. The intention of this approach will be to prepare students for their chosen career in any of the varied career options made available by a degree in the applied aspects of microbiology and biotechnology. To achieve this the award is structured to enable challenges to apply information effectively, to work in teams, to gain actual industrial experience, to learn from the experiences of professionals, to acquire technical competence and to develop generic and time management skills.
In Year One students will study
Introduction to Biosciences, Cell Biology and Genetics, Biochemistry for Life Science, Introduction to Microbiology, Introduction to Plant Biology and Biomedical Basis of Disease
In Year Two students will study
Molecular Biosciences, Molecular Biosciences Practical Techniques, Analytical Techniquesin Biosciences, Applied and Environmental Microbiology with optional module choices of Biochemistry or Pharmaceutical Microbiology
In Year Three students will study
Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Microbial Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Honours Project (Biosciences) with optional module choices of Plant Biotechnology, Medical Microbiology, Developmental Biology, Control of Water and Foodborne Disease
During Level 4 within 4AB023 Introduction to Biosciences, students undertake activities relating to gaining employability skills which can contribute to the Enterprise and Employability Award Silver.
During Level 5, students obtain instruction and guidance in CV production, which are subsequently used, in conjunction with a letter of application, to apply to prospective supervisors during the process of project topic allocation.
Reviews
This centre's achievements
All courses are up to date
The average rating is higher than 3.7
More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months
This centre has featured on Emagister for 14 years
Subjects
- Cell Biology
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Biology
Course programme
Module: 4BC005
Credits: 20
Period: 1
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
To provide an understanding of the subject of chemistry and biochemistry (the study of life at the molecular level) through the structure and function of some of the major biomolecules and metabolic pathways.
Module: 4BM017
Credits: 20
Period: 1
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
The aim of this module is to ensure that the student has the underpinning knowledge of pathology, epidemiology, public health medicine, pharmacology and the psychosocial dimensions of health to provide the foundations for study in the Life Sciences division of healthcare science.
Module: 4BC003
Credits: 20
Period: 1
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
The module studies cell biology and genetics through investigation of cell structure and organelles, gene structure, function and expression. It will look at chromosome structure and function within mitosis and meiosis and an introduction to mendelian genetics. The module will introduce gene manipulation and PCR.
Module: 4AB023
Credits: 20
Period: 1
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
The diversity and breadth of biosciences will be introduced and linked to the development of practical and study skills required for bioscience courses. You will develop and enhance your skills through a series of workshops, practical classes and self-directed activities. From this module you will develop the personal, practical and academic skills to enable successful study in practically-based bioscience subjects.
Module: 4BM024
Credits: 20
Period: 1
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
This module will introduce students to basic theoretical and practical concepts in medical and environmental microbiology.
Module: 4AB026
Credits: 20
Period: 1
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
This module provides an introduction to plant biology, covering information essential to a diverse range of undergraduate students from ecologists to geneticists and covers topics of importance to agriculture, horticulture and industry. Essentially, it provides an overview to the study of plant sciences through consideration of aspects of the structure and function of flowering plants related to their growth and development in the environment. Emphasis is placed upon the features of plants which enable them to grow, survive and adapt within both natural and manmade environments.
Module: 5AB030
Credits: 20
Period: 2
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
This is a practical module which covers the techniques and practical experiences to provide training in the skills necessary to carry out scientific laboratory analysis and investigation and to underpin theoretical studies in biology. The module will consist of practical exercises relating to quantitative microbiology, molecular techniques from plant material, tissue culture and skills necessary to plan and undertake research within your Honours Project 6AB020.
Module: 5AB027
Credits: 20
Period: 2
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
The module will explore the role of micro-organisms in a range of diverse ecosystems such as water, soil and foods. The application of micro-organisms in biotechnology, waste water treatment and bioremediation will be evaluated. Practical skills and techniques in the isolation and identification of micro-organisms will be developed.
Module: 5AB031
Credits: 20
Period: 2
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
This module will introduce you to the study of cellular and organismal biology at an intermediate level. You will learn to appreciate the similarities and differences in the cell biology and physiology of living organisms. This is taught by an introduction to common components/organelles in plant, animal and microbial cells; followed by a comparison of a range of biological themes such as reproduction, osmoregulation, stress responses etc in these organisms. The final section of the module deals with ecological aspects of plant, animal and microbial life, related to the cellular and physiological themes/topics introduced earlier in the module.
Module: 5BC001
Credits: 20
Period: 2
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
An intermediate level study of the molecular aspects of living organisms, with particular reference to: The biochemistry of the major metabolic pathways; The biosynthesis of macromolecules; The nature of genetic material, DNA structure and replication, and how this contributes to disease; RNA transcription and translation; Molecular biology techniques; Bioenergetics, glycolysis, the TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation and electron transfer, lipid metabolism and nucleic acid metabolism will be major biochemical themes.
Module: 5BC005
Credits: 20
Period: 2
Type: Core
Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus
.
This module will give you extensive practical experience in subject areas related to molecular bioscience and biochemistry. These will include the use of biochemical and recombinant DNA technology methods. Molecular Biology The purpose is to introduce you to the basic techniques of molecular biology related to the manipulation manipulations using a range of DNA modifying enzymes.You will amplify a human gene by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). You will insert DNA (a gene) into a plasmid vector (by ligation) and transform this vector into E. coli host cells and select for the ampicillin resistance markers carried by these molecules using aseptic technique. Relationships between plasmid molecular mass and transformation efficiency will be determined. Techniques will be employed to isolate plasmid molecules from their microbial hosts. You will employ restriction enzymes to precisely cleave bacteriophage and plasmid DNA. Agarose gel electrophoresis will be used to visualise DNA molecules, produce calibration graphs and estimate sizes of unknown molecules. Biochemistry This component of the module will introduce you to the types of techniques within biochemistry that are based upon separation of biomolecules from complex mixtures, a recurring theme in biochemistry
...
Additional information
BSc (Hons) Microbiology and Biotechnology