TUT Baccalaureus Technologiae BTech in Biotechnology

BACCALAUREUS TECHNOLOGIAE: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Qualification code: BTBT01 – NQF Level 7

Important notification to new applicants:

Students who intend to enrol for this qualification should take note that no new applications will be accepted as from 2020. Potential students are advised to consult the University’s website for possible new qualifications which are aligned with the newly-implemented Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework.

REMARKS

a.Admission requirement(s):

A National Diploma: Biotechnology or an NQF Level 6 bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology or Microbiology from a South African university.

Holders of any other equivalent South African or international qualifications may also be considered, but will have to apply about six months in advance for the recognition of such qualifications. Candidates will be required to submit an evaluation of their qualifications by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) with their application forms for admission. The Faculty reserves the right to assess these qualifications and the applicant’s suitability/ competence for admission to the programme. Proof of English proficiency may be required. Depending on the nature of such an equivalent qualification, the completion of certain additional subjects may be required.

b.Selection criteria:

Selection is based on an assessment by a departmental selection panel.

c.Minimum duration:One year.

d.Presentation:

Block-mode classes over a period of one or two years.

e.Intake for the qualification:

January and July.

f.Exclusion and readmission:

See Chapter 2 of Students’ Rules and Regulations.

g.Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), equivalence and status:

See Chapter 30 of Students’ Rules and Regulations.

h.Subject credits:

Subject credits are shown in brackets after each subject.

CURRICULUM

•SUBJECTS PRINTED IN BOLD ARE NOT FOR REGISTRATION PURPOSES.

•SUBJECTS ARE OFFERED IN SEMESTERS, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

FIRST SEMESTER

SUBJECT/MODULE INFORMATION (OVERVIEW OF SYLLABUS)

The syllabus content is subject to change to accommodate industry changes. Please note that a more detailed syllabus is available at the Department or in the study guide that is applicable to a particular subject/module.

On 01 August 2017, the syllabus content was defined as follows:

E

Entrepreneurship, core business strategies, marketing strategies, operational strategies, financial planning and management, human resource planning. (Total tuition time: ± 60 hours)

Environmental protection and waste disposal, industrial wastewater treatment processes, biodegradation of xenobiotic compounds, bioleaching and biosorption, soil bioremediation, bioremediation of oil spills. (Total tuition time: ± 48 hours)

I

Immobilisation technology, industrial enzymes: classes, production, applications, economic considerations. Processes, applications and economics of ethanol, microbial polysaccharides, antibiotics. Biosafety and biodiver- sity, microbial insecticides, Bt crops. Influence of biotechnology on industrial products. Microbial transformations with industrial applications. (Total tuition time: ± 48 hours)

M

Mammalian cell culture, application of normal and cancerous cell cultures, recombinant DNA technology in cell cultures, applications of recombinant cell cultures. (Total tuition time: ± 48 hours)

R

RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY IV (RDT401T)2 X 2-HOUR PAPER

(Subject custodian: Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology)

An in-depth handling of recombinant DNA technology as the foundation for modern biotechnology. Topics discussed include restriction modification enzymes, hybridisation, cloning and cloning vectors, sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, genome projects, gene manipulations, genomic and cDNA libraries, DNA delivery methods, expression of cloned genes in E. coli & prokaryotes, products made using genetic engineering. Bio- informatics and analysis of biological data using computer software will be introduced. The students will gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on laboratory/industrial skills required for direct employment or for creation of employment in an industry dealing with this subject matter. (Total tuition time: ± 144 hours)

(Subject custodian: Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology)

What is research? Tools of research, getting started on a research project, review of the relevant literature, research design and data collection. Writing a proposal and a research report, oral presentations skills, principles of postgraduate supervision. Practical assignments. (Total tuition time: ± 32 hours)

(Subject custodian: Department of Mathematics and Statistics)

Statistical methods for the preparation and working of data, including descriptive statistical methods. (Total tuition time: ± 48 hours)

RESEARCH PROJECT IV (RSP401T/R)CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

(Subject custodian: Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology)

Students will be expected to plan and give a pre-presentation of a research project idea. Once approved, the student will have to plan, write and present a research proposal, conduct and complete experimental work under supervision, and critically analyse and interpret results. Write a research report in scientific format, present the report orally and visually. (Total tuition time: ± 48 hours as well as other non-formal tuition periods)