Molecular Biotechnology

Students will be exposed to the conceptual foundations of biotechnology and the role played by discoveries and applications of molecular biology principles in advancing biotechnology horizons. This is a case-based course in which students will read landmark original papers and patents that shaped biotechnology, and discuss these in the class. The case-based approach will follow the first few weeks of background material where a more standard lecture style will be used so as to bring students with different backgrounds on par with modern molecular biology.

Mandatory for first-year MBS students.

Upon completion of this course, students will have gained an understanding of the concepts and techniques that are currently being utilized in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Students will be sufficiently familiar with basic biochemistry and molecular biology principles to have an understanding of various contemporary areas of biomedical research and their applications. Students will be able to communicate with associates in various areas of biochemistry and molecular biology. For each class students come prepared by careful reading of the assigned materials. These topics are discussed in the class through questions and critiques.