Special Topics in Biotechnology
1. Course Objectives:
In this course, we will explore the fundamental issues of biotechnology. What is
biotechnology and how did it come about? How is biotechnology done and how is it being
used today? What are the applications of biotechnology? Finally, what are some of the
issues that biotechnology raises about the role of science and technology in society?
2. Instructor: Dr. Shu-Jen Chen
Office number: Room 705 of the Building of Chemical Engineering
Phone number: Ext. 5114
Office hours: Thursday am. 10:30- 11:50 or make appointment after class or by phone
3. Course description
(1) Basic Concepts in Biotechnology (1 week)
(2) Introduction to Living Things (1 week)
(3) Biochemical Basis for Biotechnology (2 weeks)
(4) Enzyme Engineering (2 weeks)
(5) Introduction to Microbiology(1 week)
(6) Bioenergetics and Metabolism (2 week)
(7) Central Dogma of Life (2 weeks)
(8) Regulation of Gene Expression (1 weeks)
(9) Genetic Engineering (1 weeks)
(10) Fermentation Engineering (3 weeks)
(11) Applications of Biotechnology (1 weeks)
(12) Term Paper Report and Examination (1 weeks)
4. Grading
Evaluation
Form
Percentage
Note
Ordinary mark
Quiz or
homework
20%
The quiz will be held 20 min. before
finishing class (open book).
Midterm exam
Written
examination
40%
Open-book
Term paper
(presentation)
40%
Written report: 20%
Presentation: 20% (power point format)
Final exam
5. Suggested Reading
1. Bourgaize, D. “Biotechnology: Demystifying the Concepts”, Addison Wesley
Longman, Inc., San Fransisco, CA. 2000.
2. Barnum, S. R. “Biotechnology: An Introduction”, Wadsworth Publishing Company,
CA. 1998.
3. Glick, B. R. and Pasternak, J. J. “Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and
Applications of Recombinant DNA”, 2nd edition, American Society for Microbiology,
Washington, DC. 1998.
4. Smith, C. A. and Wood, E. J. “Molecular Biology and Biotechnology”, 1st edition,
Chapman & Hall Limited. 1991.
5. Nelson, D. and Cox, M., “Lehninger Principle of Biochemistry”, 3rd edition, Worth
Publishers, New York, NY. 2000.
6. Campbell, M. K., “Biochemistry”, 3rd edition, Harcourt, Inc. 1999.
7. Shuler, M. L. and Kargi, F. “Bioprocess Engineering: Basic Concepts,” 2nd ed.,
Prentice Hall. 2002.
8. Blanch, H. W., and Clark, D. S., “Biochemical Engineering,” Marcel Dekker. 1996.
9. Bailey, J. E. and Ollis, D. F., “Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals,” 2nd ed.,
McGraw-Hill. 1986.
10. 田蔚城主編, “生物技術的發展與應用”, 九州圖書文物有限公司, 台北, 台灣,
1997. (02-23652183)
11. Assigned papers.
6. Expectations:
(1) Ethical conduct in the course: Dishonest behavior will not be tolerated and
documented dishonest behavior during an exam will result in a failing grade on that
exam.
(2) Using cellular phone is not permitted during the class period!
(3) Tardiness, eating, talking, and sleeping will make me unhappy.
(4) Work hard and enjoy your learning.
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