The University of Jordan
Faculty of Agriculture
Dept. Horticulture & Crop Science
Program: M.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology Year: 2013-2014/ Fall semester
Biotechnology (0601781)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Credit hours
3
Level
1st year
Pre0631240
requisite
Lecturer
Dr. Muhanad Akash
Office
290
Office
22340
number
phone
Course
http://elearning.ju.edu.jo/ E-mail
makash@ju.edu.jo Place
website
Office hours
Day/Time
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Course Description
This course covers the exploitation of microbial cells, metabolites (i.e. enzymes), and
gene expression in several areas of industrial, agriculture and environmental
biotechnology, discuss the relationship between microbial and plant cell physiology and
biotechnology, covering the recombinant DNA and fermentation technology, genetic
manipulation, bioreactors designs, kinetic studies in biotechnology, biological
remediation, plant tissue and cell culture, solid-state fermentation, process optimization
and scale up procedure, modeling of biotechnological processes.
Learning Objectives
1. To develop an appreciation of the importance of biotechnology.
2. To develop an understanding of the basic principles of biotechnology and its
applications.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
Successful completion of the course should lead to the following outcomes:
A. Knowledge and Understanding: Student is expected to
A1- Examine a brief introduction and review for basic principles of recombinant DNA
technology
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A2- Understand microbial, plant, and animal biotechnology and their applications
A3- Understand DNA profiling, forensics, and other applications
A4- Examine genomics
A5- Discuss and debate selected bioethical issues
B. Intellectual Analytical and Cognitive Skills: Student is expected to
B1- Communicate effectively, using the language, concepts and models of biotechnology
B2- Use the scientific method to define and solve problems independently and
collaboratively
B3- Accurately interpret scientific information
C. Subject- Specific Skills: Students is expected to
C1- Develop GMO awareness
C2- Introduce students to areas and concepts involved in biotechnology
C3- Seek out and interpret research literature related to biotechnology
D. Transferable Key Skills: Students is expected to
D1- Demonstrate proficient library, mathematical and computer skills in data gathering
and analysis
D2-Use internet for data mining
D3-Practice data analysis and interpretation
ILOs: Learning and Evaluation Methods
ILO/s
Learning Methods
Evaluation Methods
A. Knowledge
and
Understanding
(A1-A5)
B. Intellectual
Analytical and
Cognitive
Skills (B1-B3)
C. Subject
Specific Skills
(C1-C3)
D.Transferable
Key Skills
(D1-D3)
Lectures and Discussions
Exam, assignments
Lectures, Homework and
Assignments
Exam, assignments
Lectures, Homework
Exam , assignments
Lectures, Assignments
Projects, presentation
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Course Contents
Content
Reference
Week
ILO/s
1. Introduction to biotechnology
2. Review for basic principles of
recombinant DNA technology
3. Microbial biotechnology and its
applications
4. Animal biotechnology and its
applications
5. Plant biotechnology and its
applications
6. DNA profiling, forensics, and other
applications
7. Genomics
8. Bioethics and the future of
biotechnology
9. Student presentations
Barnum (2006)
Barnum (2006)
1,2
3
A1
A1
Barnum (2006)
4
A2,C2
Barnum (2006)
5
A2,C2
Barnum (2006)
6,7
A2,C2
Barnum (2006)
8,9
A2,C2
Barnum (2006)
Barnum (2006)
10
11
A4
A5,C,C2
Selected articles
12-16
B1B3,C2,C
3,D1-D3
Learning Methodology
1. Lectures:
2 per week (including one 2-hour exam)
2. Duration:
16 weeks, 48 hours in total
3. Assignments: to be notified
Evaluation
Evaluation
Midterm Exam
Project
Assignments
Homework
Final Exam
Point %
30
10
10
10
40
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Date
Main Reference/s:
-
Barnum, S. R. 2006. Biotechnology: An Introduction. Second Edition. Thomson
Books/Cole.
Selected papers
References:
-
-
Ratledge, C. and Kristiansen, B. 2006. Basic biotechnology. Third Edition.
Cambridge University Press.
Scott, N.W. and Fowler, M.R. 2003. Plant Biotechnology: The Genetic Manipulation
of Plants. Oxford University Press, UK.
Murray, D.R. 1991. Advanced methods in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology. CAB
International, Wallingford, UK.
Chawla, H.S. 2002. Introduction to plant biotechnology. Science Publishers, Inc.
Shantharam, S. and Montgomery, J. F. 1999. Biotechnology, biosafety, and
biodiversity: scientific and ethical issues for sustainable development. Science
Publishers, Inc.
Chrispeels, M. J., and Sadava, D. E. 2002. Plants, Genes, and Crop Biotechnology.
Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Ranga, M. M. 2003. Animal Biotechnology. Agrobios.
[AgBiotechNet] <http://www.agbiotechnet.com/about/index.asp>.
[International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications]
<http://www.isaaa.org/home.htm>.
[CropBiotech Net] <http://www.isaaa.org/kc/>.
Notes:


Concerns or complaints should be expressed in the first instance to the module
lecturer; if no resolution is forthcoming, then the issue should be brought to the
attention of the module coordinator (for multiple sections) who will take the concerns
to the module representative meeting. Thereafter, problems are dealt with by the
Department Chair and if still unresolved the Dean and then ultimately the Vice
President. For final complaints, there will be a committee to review grading the final
exam.
For more details on University regulations please visit:
http://www.ju.edu.jo/rules/index.htm
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