5 ECTS credits
130 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4009207FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Registration for this course is allowed if one has successfully accomplished "Practicals I & II" and obtained 48 ECTS-credits (including Practicals I and II) in the Master Molecular Biology OR if one has subscribed for the Master Biology - IPC Human Ecology
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Science and Bio-engineering Sciences
Department
Bio-Engineering Sciences
Educational team
Sonia Beeckmans (course titular)
Edilbert Van Driessche
Serge Muyldermans
Sylvia BURSSENS
Walter Kempenaers
Eric TOLLENS
Erik MATHIJS
Activities and contact hours

39 contact hours Lecture
13 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Prof. Erik Mathijs

-Exploring the economics of biotechnology: the business of biotechnology; consumer issues and regulation; pharmacoeconomics
-The economics of genetically modified crops: status of GM crops; micro-level impacts of first generation GM crops; macro-level impacts of first generation GM crops; potential impacts of second generation GM crops; economics of GM crop regulation.

Prof. Eric Tollens

-Biotechnology in the South: absolute necessity or illusion?

Prof. Sylvia Burssens

-Plant biotechnology applications, current status, socio-economic impact, legal aspects and public perception;
-Plant biotechnology: history, state of the art;
-Introduction to biosafety and regulatory aspects;
-Food biosafety (case studies);
-Environmental safety (case studies);
-Introduction to bioethics and risk perception;
-Public perception, risk and science communication.

Dr. Walter Kempenaers

-Biosafety in the lab: prevention of biohazards.

Prof. Serge Muyldermans

-The camel antibody story: from bench to publication/patent and applications.

Prof. Sonia Beeckmans and Edilbert Van Driessche

-Research and publication ethics and malpractices; authorship; plagiarism

Prof. Edilbert Van Driessche

-Project Cycle Management: theory and development of a project.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Appropriate literature and references are provided during the lectures
Handbook (Recommended) : Seminars on sustainable agriculture in the third world: defining a role for transgenic crops and research., Defining a role for transgenic crops and research, Koninklijke Academie voor Overzeese Wetenschappen, Koninklijke Academie voor Overzeese Wetenschappen, 9781091012691, 2002
Handbook (Recommended) : Genetic engineering: dreams and nightmares, Dreams and nightmares, Russo E, Cove,D, Oxford Univ. Press, 9780192629258, 1998
Digital course material (Required) : Slides used during lectures will be available
Additional info

Nihil

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

-The students are aware and able to reflect on the social, economical and ethical implications of the applications of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and are aware of the possibilities and limitations of new technologies when applied in the South;
-moreover, the students have the competences for developing projects based on PCM-methodology, they can work in a group to develop problem/objective trees and read and construct a logframe;
-they have developed communication skills (written and oral);
-they know how to prevent and protect against biohazards;
-they know the ethical rules that govern research and publication as well as the consequences of malpractices;
-they are aware of the complexity of bringing a research result to a commercial product.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
Written Exam determines 50% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral examination with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: Oral examination on topics discussed during the lectures/ presentation of project developed by PCM

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Written examination with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: Questions on topics discusses during the lectures

Additional info regarding evaluation

Assignment on GMO: 9/39

Written exam on economical aspects and biohazards: 12/39

Presentation PCM: 18/39

 

 
Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences
Master of Biology: Human Ecology