course-details-portlet

TBT4170

Biotechnology

Choose study year

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Intermediate course, level II
Course start Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

The course will aim at providing a broad introduction to modern biotechnology with emphasis both on basic understanding of cell function at a molecular level, and on applications, with a focus on sustainability. In recent years the scientific developments have to a great extent progressed on the basis of methodolgical breakthroughs, and the most important of these methods will be discussed. The following keywords can be used as an indication of subjects that will be addressed: the structural composition of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; what is life and what makes evolution possible; types of cellular compounds; metabolism and conversion of energy; enzyme catalysis; the processes from DNA via RNA to protein; mutations and mutants; recombinant DNA technology, exchange of DNA between cells; -omics technologies; CRISPR technology, applications in industry, environmental biotechnology, medicine and agriculture. Discussion on ethical and sustainability implications of biotechnology is an important part of the course.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  • Reproduce what groups of compounds (nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites etc.) are found in living cells and what their functions are.
  • Reproduce the basic production and regulation mechanisms at different levels, such as carbon and energy metabolism, production of proteins and gene regulation.
  • Describe how the knowledge about cells, enzymes and genes can be used for various applied purposes in the society.
  • Consider ethical consequences of the developments in biotechnology.
  • Describe the contribution of biotechnology to sustainable development.

Skills:

  • Be able to define and use the key terms in molecular biology.
  • Be able to integrate relevant parts of the knowledge base to solve simple problems of scientific and applied character.
  • Be able to present biotechnological solutions and ethical perspectives in a scientific poster.
  • Consider important ethical viewpoints and implications.
  • Be able to discuss the biotechnology contribution and implications in a sustainability perspective.

General competence:

  • Be able to recognise the connection between the content of this course and other parts of science (enzymatic versus non-enzymatic catalysis, the laws of thermodynamics in relation to living systems etc.).
  • Be able to present technological solutions, professional and scientific arguments and ethical and sustainability implications.

Learning methods and activities

The course will be based on lectures, demonstrations and group-based exercises. One mandatory group exercise (poster).

Compulsory assignments

  • Exercices (oral/written presentation)

Further on evaluation

If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Course materials

Information will be given in the first lecture.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
BI1001 3 sp Autumn 2025
MOL4010 3 sp Autumn 2025
TKJE2005 5 sp Autumn 2025
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Technological subjects

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Biotechnology and Food Science

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.

Re-sit examination - Summer 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.