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Identical coursesApplied Biotechnology in Animal Science (B-KUL-I0R75C)
Aims
After having been taught a variety of courses on protein and nucleic acid related techniques (e.g. molecular biology, gene technology, protein chemistry, genetics,...), this course focuses on the actual application of these techniques in today’s animal husbandry setting; as illustrated with examples. This course is taught using a blended teaching approach. We use the overarching theme of finding good scientific questions or problems as transferable skill the students can learn. Therefore students are encouraged to actively search for scientific questions or problems in animal production and design a strategy to answer or solve these problems or questions using biotechnology. On top of this, students will acquire project writing, literature documentation, idea pitching skills.
Previous knowledge
Knowledge of the following topics is required in order to start this course:
- Biomolecular or biochemical technology and analysis (Bachelor’s level)
Knowledge of these topics is an advantage:
- Immunology
- Animal Physiology
- Advanced knowledge of genetics (Master’s level)
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
4 ects. Applied Biotechnology in Animal Science (B-KUL-I0R75a)
Content
There are four plenary sessions with about two hours of pre-class preparations to activate students during lectures that have the following content:
- Biomarker Discovery and Diagnostics in Animal Production by Prof. J. Paeshuyse
- Vaccines and Immunoprophylaxis in Animal Production by Prof. J. Paeshuyse
- Drug Discovery for Animal Production by Prof. J. Paeshuyse
- Cloning, Genetic Manipulation and models in Animal Production by Prof. J. Paeshuyse
During the semester students will search for a scientific problem or question within the context of the plenary session mentioned above. For each of these topics the students describe the problem in a short concept note and documents the literature search needed to identify that question or problem. In addition some background has to be provided. In addition, some writing tasks are issued to improve proposal writing skills. At the end of the semester 1 out 4 problems are selected and will be further elaborated by the student into a project proposal. The proposal is then to be defended during the oral examination.
Course material
PowerPoint presentations and additional course material on Toledo
Format: more information
This course is based on a blended teaching approach combining lectures with assignments.
There are four plenary sessions with about two hour of pre-class preparations to activate students during lectures. In addition to an introductory class.
Students have to search for 4 challenging ideas or problems that they solve by applying biotechnology. For each of these problems or questions identified the students write a concept note and get feedback.
One out of four concepts are further developed in a project proposal using biotechnology as a take-home exam preparation and are defended during the oral examination.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Applied Biotechnology in Animal Science (B-KUL-I2R75c)
Explanation
The students will have to identify 4 research questions/problems during the academic year. Each problem will count for 10% of the final grade.
For one out of four problems the student identified during the academic year a more substantial project proposal will be written by the student and defended during the oral examination.
If a student does not hand in at least one of the four problems (without valid reasons timely communicated to the exam ombuds), the student will be excluded from the exam. The exam is then considered ‘not taken’ (NA).
Information about retaking exams
The student will have to write a project proposal on one of the three remaining problems identified during the academic year. The student cannot repeat the identification of questions/problems assignments. The grades obtained during the academic year for these assignments will be transferred to the second examination period.