2BIO201 Master`s Degree Thesis in Experimental Biotechnology

    • Course code
      2BIO201
    • Number of credits
      60
    • Teaching semester
      2024 Spring, 2024 Autumn, 2025 Spring
    • Language of instruction
      English
    • Campus
      Hamar
    • Required prerequisite knowledge

      Must have completed at least 45 ECTS.

Course content

Students with experimental thesis are encouraged to include Bioprocess Engineering, Molecular Genetics, or Cell Biology in the Master’s thesis.

Bioprocess Engineering

The thesis will focus in depth on a specific production or product of a biotechnological nature. The experimental work may span from describing and optimising a limited unit operation to comprising the whole process. One may also couple the thesis to gene technological or cell biological research questions. Depending on the candidate’s specialisation it may also be natural to include an economical analysis (sensitivity analysis) and an assessment of the commercialisation potential. One may include an internship in a relevant enterprise or use a concrete problem from industry.

The field Bioprocess Engineering comprises the theoretical description, the optimalisation and the industrial use of biochemical and biological processes. Such processes include the manufacture of products involving biological/biochemical activity that require careful conservation (biomedicines, diagnostic reagents, enzymes etc). Bioprocess engineering also includes conversion processes in which the activities of enzymes or micro-organisms is essential for production (fermentation/yeasts, enzyme reactors). By utilising selective bio-processes, a number of valuable substances can be extracted from by-products of the food industry and from refined marine raw materials.

Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology

The Master’s thesis in molecular genetics and cell biology will mainly consist of an experimental research project carried out in a biotechnology laboratory. The project is to be structured in consultation with an advisor, and will, with few exceptions, be linked to a larger ongoing project, or projects in relevant companies/regional research communities. Possible research topics relevant to the thesis may be molecular genetics applied to animal or plant breeding, cell biology related to animal reproduction, molecular ecology (flora and fauna, microbial diversity), molecular genetics of development, immune cell biology, gene engineering as a phase of production in a bioprocessing strategy and gene technological methods related to biobank operations. Depending on the organism studied (e.g. bears, wolves etc), a Master’s thesis in molecular ecology may be completed under co-advisement from the faculty at HUC Evenstad. The biotechnology faculty at HUC collaborates with various other research instutions, both in Norway and abroad, and students may choose a project where experiments will be performed at external facilities.

Molecular genetics and cell biology include methods and techniques used to study and analyse life at the molecular and cellular level. In these two inter-connected fields, one primarily works with cells, metabolic systems, nucleic acids, genes and genomes containing, preserving and transmitting all the information governing the constitution of molecules, cells and organisms on earth. Today molecular genetic and cell biology techniques are used in all biology-related fields. Modern pharmaceutical, biomedical and biotechnological industries all base their research on these methods which are also increasingly applied in many other areas, including reproduction biology, animal and plant breeding, immunology, and the elucidation of floral and faunal biodiversity (as part of a sub-field called molecular ecology).

Learning Outcome

A student having completed the course have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The Student

  • has advanced knowledge in biotechnology according to scientific standards
  • has advanced knowledge and skills in biotechnological subjects to conceive and complete a piece of original research
Skills

The Student

  • can analyze and work indenpendently on practical and theoretical problems in the field of biotechnology
General competence

The Student

  • can analyze relevant academic, professional and research  biotechnology topics
  • can apply his/her knowledge and skills in scientific projects
  • can communicate independent work within the academic field of biotechnology
Teaching and working methods

Written thesis based on traditional scientific methods, included litterature study and laboratory experiments.

Required coursework

Requirements necessary to take the exam

A compulsory 15 minute long presentation of the thesis in the end of the third semester seminar: project theme with status and so far results.

Assessments
VurderingsordningKarakterskalaGruppe/individuellVarighetHjelpemidlerAndelKommentar
Written assignment
ECTS - A-F
Individual
Form of assessment

Assessment

A single letter grade, based primarily on the individual written thesis. Grade may be subject to a minor adjustment based on the oral presentation and subsequent oral exam

The grading system is based on the letters from A-F, where E is the minimum passing grade

Course name in Norwegian Nynorsk: 
Mastergradsoppgåve i eksperimentell bioteknologi
Course name in Norwegian Bokmål: 
Master`s Degree Thesis in Experimental Biotechnology
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology
Department
Department of Biotechnology
Area of study
Matematisk-naturvitenskapelige fag/informatikk
Programme of study
Master's Degree in Applied and Commercial Biotechnology
Course level
Second degree level (500-HN)