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UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
CUAP Proposal-New Qualification/Subject
Section A
Proposal Description
Purpose of the proposal
To introduce a new endorsement in Biotechnology to Biological Sciences in the Bachelor of Science degree.
Justification
Biotechnology is of national and international importance. The MRST Biotechnology Research Roadmap (2007)
identifies biotechnology as:
“the mainstay of growth for New Zealand’s predominantly biological economic base, providing new knowledge
to keep and develop competitive advantages. It will transform our primary sector into one producing increasingly
value-added and environmentally sustainable products and processes. …..It underpins biodiversity and
biosecurity management in New Zealand…. ”
At the University of Canterbury, Biotechnology in the broadest sense is an integral component of teaching and research at
all levels of the Biological Sciences curriculum. Other Departments/Colleges, for example Chemical & Process
Engineering, have interests and expertise in related fields such as bioprocessing that might be classified under a broader
definition of 'Biotechnology', but this proposal has a specifically narrower focus. The School of Biological Sciences has
identified “Biodiversity, Biosecurity and Biotechnology” as important thematic strengths. Students at Honours, Masters
and PhD can major in Biotechnology. It follows that an endorsement (biotechnology) to the undergraduate major in
Biological Sciences will help students choose a course of study that will be broad enough to allow flexibility, but will
provide students with pathways of study that will equip them for biotechnology developments in the 21st century.
Biotechnology covers many aspects. We propose, initially, to focus on two key areas of biotechnology – plant
biotechnology and environmental biotechnology. Both aspects of biotechnology are highlighted in the School’s Strategic
Plan.
1. Environmental Biotechnology. According to both the Biotechnology Research Roadmap and the Environment
Research Roadmap, environmental biotechnology includes fundamental research contributing knowledge about
ecological and evolutionary processes; research underpinning biodiversity and biosecurity management in New
Zealand; and research directed towards technology development with dual economic and environmental outcomes
Consequently, biotechnology research has key roles to play in helping us characterise New Zealand’s indigenous
genetic heritage through biosystematics, to protect New Zealand’s indigenous genetic heritage through the provision
of tools to identify biosecurity threats, and, through research, to help counter the environmental impacts of farming in
areas such as agricultural methane emissions and nitrogen fixers in pastures. Biotechnology can also be seen as both a
threat and an opportunity - an opportunity as a source of new pest control and a potential threat to biodiversity by the
release of genetically-modified organisms.
2. Plant biotechnology. It is important to recognise, in addition to the overlap with environmental biotechnology, that
plant biotechnology goes beyond genetic modification and includes a range of laboratory based plant tissue culture
and plant breeding techniques such as the use of somatic hybridisation. Universities have access to unique germplasm
collections and genomics databases for research and much research focused on plant breeding is now regarded as
‘biotechnology-assisted’ and has developed beyond the need to genetically modify crop plants.
This proposal reflects the:
University of Canterbury Profile 2007-2009 Strategic Objectives, KSA (Key Strategic Area) Teaching and Learning and
Students;
STEP Theme Objectives –
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2. Increasing the relevance of skills and knowledge to meet national goals
3. Enabling students and learners to access excellent and relevant tertiary education and progress to higher levels of study
and achievement
4. Enhancing capability and information quality in the tertiary system to support learning, teaching and research.
Specifically, the University Profile lists Biotechnology as a new programme that it wishes to develop.
The School of Biological Sciences Strategic Plan 2005 states as a goal for 2006-2010 the inclusion of Biosecurity,
Biodiversity and Biotechnology as central teaching themes. We believe that there will be significant international interest
in this qualification.
This proposal supports the College of Science Strategic Plan, teaching and learning strategic goal, Teaching will be
tailored to educate student for their diverse futures. The proposal meets the Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning
Plan – 2008 to 2013, Operational Priority, Best Practice – Increase the use of endorsements to focus the studies of a
student while preserving the bread of their degree and major. Endorsements at undergraduate level in the sciences make
provision for a student to complete a specialization of interest within a specified science major. The development is also
signalled in the ‘New Degrees and Awards’ section of the Faculty of Science plan: Biotechnology endorsement to the
BSc Biology, 2010.
The endorsement has a number of compulsory courses throughout the degree organised to ensure those gaining an
endorsement in biotechnology have been exposed to certain core technologies and information. In each stream there is a
capstone course core to the endorsement. We believe that a particular strength of the programme is the breadth of
background at 100 level, so that students are given an appreciation of the range of biological scale – from cellular biology
and biochemistry through to biological diversity, evolution and ecology. This philosophy of maintaining a discipline
breadth, beyond the technological aspects typically associated with manipulative biotechnology, is continued at 200 and
300 level – here students are exposed to evolutionary and organismal biology which provides a broader context than
might typically be found in endorsements of this type. This background then underpins the postgraduate qualification in
Biotechnology offered at 400 level and beyond.
Acceptability
This proposal is part of a major review of undergraduate teaching at levels 2 and 3 in Biological Sciences. Staff have been
consulted during 2008-09 and this proposal was unanimously endorsed by the School’s Teaching & Learning Committee
and presented to a full Staff meeting. These discussions have informed the final version of the proposal. The proposal has
the agreement of the SBS Executive.
The BCHM programme has been consulted and we have incorporated feedback from its coordinator (Dr Andy Pratt) into
this document. The major concerns were the extent of 200 level BIOL requirements, and the extent to which this would
preclude 200 level BCHM being added to a course of study. In response to this the formal BIOL requirements at 200 level
have been reduced (now 75 pts) so there is flexibility in possible student choice.
The UCSA Education coordinator has approved the proposal.
International undergraduate placement agencies routinely enquire about named degrees – particularly in Plant
Biotechnology. This endorsement is anticipated to meet this demand and we have feedback from the International Office
(Les Brighton) and UC staff who have been on overseas marketing trips (Greg O’Beirne) that this development is
welcome.
Stakeholders have also provided positive support for this proposal. These include Dr Paul Reynolds (Chief Executive and
Secretary for the Environment, Ministry of the Environment), Dr Ian Ferguson (Chief Scientist, Plant and Food
Research), Dr Ilse Breitwieser (Science Leader, Landcare Research) and Rob Forlong of ERMA.
External consultation documentation is available on request.
Goals of the programme
The endorsement in Biotechnology addresses a current gap in academic training in a nationally and internationally
important aspect of biology in the 21st century. The endorsement hinges on capstone courses which emphasize training in
multiple sub-disciplines (e.g. plant development, cell biology, microbiology, genetics and evolution, underpinned by
sound knowledge of molecular techniques and biochemistry), while enabling students to gain a wider understanding of
broader scientific principles. Introduction of the endorsement provides a logical and coherent structure for teaching
aspects of biotechnology and will provide a mechanism for improved co-ordination of curriculum across courses. The
endorsement will provide an opportunity for stronger interaction between industry, government and the University.
Graduate profile
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Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science (BSc)
A graduate of a BSc is expected to be able to:
Personal Attributes
 Demonstrate knowledge of and an ability to apply scientific principles and concepts
 Solve problems through the application of scientific knowledge and methods
 Demonstrate analytical abilities
 Demonstrate the development of skills for lifelong learning
 Understand, evaluate, access and critically review new information
 Demonstrate the ability to think independently
 Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of and skill in his or her majoring subject
 Effectively access and use information relevant to the subject
 Demonstrate numeracy skills
Interactive Attributes
 Work collaboratively on tasks
 Communicate effectively both in written and spoken English
In addition to the broad attributes identified in the BSc profile, students with the endorsement in Biotechnology will also
be expected to be able to:
 Demonstrate advanced skills in data analysis
 Apply advanced understanding of experimental design
 Demonstrate skills in laboratory (and field) work
 Demonstrate an appreciation of the interactions of animals, plants and microbes across a range of scales and in a
variety of systems.
 Understand the mechanisms that control and regulate biological processes at the molecular, cellular and whole
organism level, particularly as they apply to potential technological advances.
 Have an awareness of the problems and issues associated with biotechnological advances, and have a familiarity
with the broader context in which biological knowledge can be applied to achieve solutions.
 Demonstrate an appreciation for the biota of the New Zealand region, and its character in comparison to those
found elsewhere.
Outcome statement
NA
Programme overview
NA
Proposed new regulations and prescriptions (see Calendar Form at the end of Section A)
Proposed teaching/delivery methods
As per existing courses
Assessment procedures
As per existing courses
Predicted student numbers/EFTS
20
Resources
No additional resources are required as all courses are part of the existing curriculum. On-going use of existing library
resources.
Plans for monitoring programme quality
A Graduating Year Review will be undertaken in 2013 and thereafter every five years as part of the College’s regular
programme review cycle.
All courses taught within Biological Sciences are formally reviewed at the end of each academic year.
All courses are regularly reviewed using the UCTL student survey system
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Confirmation that Section B has been prepared and is available to CUAP on request
Section B has been prepared and is available on request
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Calendar Form
New Regulations
Bachelor of Science
Schedule of Endorsements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science
2010 Calendar page 370 after Biosecurity
Insert
Biotechnology
To qualify for an endorsement in Biotechnology a student must be enrolled for a Bachelor of Science in Biological
Sciences and must complete the 360 point requirement for the BSc.
The following courses are required for the endorsement:
BIOL111 Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
15 pts
BIOL112 Ecology, Evolution & Conservation
15 pts
BIOL113 Diversity of Life
15 pts
CHEM112 General Chemistry B
15 pts
or CHEM115 (15 pts)
Total 100-level required points:
60 pts
BIOL209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
BIOL213 Microbiology and Genetics
BIOL231 Molecular Genetics
or BCHM202 Molecular Genetics (15 pts)
BIOL271 Evolution
BIOL253 Cell Biology 1
or BIOL254 Plant Developmental Biology
(15 pts)
15 pts
15 pts
15 pts
Total 200-level required points:
75 pts
BIOL352 Plant Development and Biotechnology
or BIOL313 Advanced Microbiology
(30 pts)
30 pts
15 pts
15 pts
and a minimum of 30 points from the following:
BIOL330 Advanced Concepts in Genetics
BIOL332 Genetics and Evolution of Invasive Species
BIOL351 Cell Biology
BIOL371 Evolutionary Ecology
30 pts
15 pts
30 pts
15 pts
Total 300-level required points:
60 pts
Recommended courses:
MATH101 Introductory Mathematics with Applications 15 pts
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or MATH102 Mathematics 1A (15 pts)
LAWS101 The Legal System
30 pts
SCIM101 Science, Maori and Indigenous Knowledge 15 pts
BIOS101/201 Issues in New Zealand Biosecurity
15 pts
ENGR101 Foundations of Engineering
15 pts
BIOL215 Plant Diversity & Systematics
15 pts
BIOL255 Plant Ecophysiology
15 pts
BIOL250 Principles of Animal Physiology
15 pts
BIOL273 New Zealand Biodiversity and Biosecurity
15 pts
POLS 206 Public Policy: An Introduction
15 pts
BCHM211 Biochemistry A
15 pts
BCHM221 Biochemistry B
15 pts
BCHM281 Synthetic, Chemical + Biochemical Techniques 15 pts
PHIL249 Environmental Bioethics
15 pts
BCHM303 Special Topic: Toxicology
15 pts
BIOL331/BCHM301 Biochemistry 3
30 pts
SCIE 301/302 Science and Entrepreneurship
15 pts
Suggested Pathways
Students will normally follow one of two pathways: an environmental pathway or a plant pathway. Recommended
combinations of courses are:
Biotechnology Endorsement
Environmental Biotechnology
Plant Biotechnology
BIOL111
Cellular Biology +
Biochemistry
BIOL112
Ecology, Evolution &
Conservation
BIOL113
Diversity of Life
CHEM112
General Chemistry B
Plus recommended courses
from list above
S1
BIOL209 Introduction to
Biological Data Analysis
BIOL253 Cell Biology 1 or
BIOL254 Plant
Developmental Biology
BIOL213 Microbiology and
Genetics
BIOL231 Molecular
Genetics
BIOL271 Evolution
BIOL215 Plant Diversity &
Systematics or BIOL273
NZ Biodiversity +
Biosecurity
BCHM281 Synthetic,
Chemical + Biochemical
Techniques
Plus recommended courses
from lists above
S1
BIOL313 Advanced
S2
S1
S2
S2
S1
S1
S1
S2
S2
BIOL111
Cellular Biology
+ Biochemistry
BIOL112
Ecology, Evolution & Conservation
S1
S2
BIOL113
Diversity of Life
CHEM112
General Chemistry B
Plus recommended courses from list
above
S1
BIOL209 Introduction to Biological
Data Analysis
BIOL254 Plant Developmental
Biology
S1
BIOL213 Microbiology and
Genetics
BIOL231 Molecular Genetics
S1
BIOL271 Evolution
BIOL253 Cell Biology 1 or
BIOL255 Plant Ecophysiology
S1
S2
S2
S1
S2
BCHM281 Synthetic, Chemical +
Biochemical Techniques
S2
Plus recommended courses from
lists above
S2
BIOL352 Plant Development and
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S1
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Microbiology
BIOL330 Advanced
Concepts in Genetics
BIOL332 Genetics and
Evolution of Invasive
Species
BIOL371 Evolutionary
Ecology
Plus recommended courses
from lists above
S1
S2
Biotechnology
BIOL330 Advanced Concepts in
Genetics
BIOL351 Cell Biology
S1
Plus recommended courses from
lists above
6
S1
S2