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EHS308Health Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Environmental Biotechnology

This course introduces the fundamental concepts and applications of biotechnology, with a focus on environmental biotechnology techniques for effective environmental management. It explores the historical development of biotechnology, its classification, and scope. Students will learn about various methods, including traditional and modern approaches, and their applications in waste management, pollution control, food production, and remediation of contaminated sites. The course also addresses the ethical, moral, and religious issues surrounding biotechnology.

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40h
Study Time
13
Weeks
3h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
BiotechnologyEnvironmental HealthWaste ManagementPollution ControlGenetic Engineering

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Biotechnology Concepts

2

Historical Development of Biotechnology

3

Classification of Biotechnology

4

Environmental Monitoring

5

Waste Management

6

Bioremediation

7

Genetic Engineering

8

Food Production and Preservation

9

Air and Water Pollution Control

10

Ethical and Moral Issues in Biotechnology

Total Topics10 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (2 methods)

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Environmental Biotechnologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Waste Management Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Health Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Bioremediation Technician

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Environmental ManagementWaste TreatmentAgriculturePharmaceuticalsFood Production

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction to Biotechnology

2h

Unit 1: Concept and Definition of Biotechnology

2 study hours
  • •Define biotechnology and environmental biotechnology.
  • •Explain the concept of biotechnology and its implications for the environment.
  • •Identify the importance of biotechnology and environmental biotechnology.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction to Biotechnology

2h

Unit 2: Origin, History and Development of Biotechnology

2 study hours
  • •Outline the history of biotechnology and environmental biotechnology.
  • •Describe emerging issues in the development of biotechnology and environmental biotechnology.
  • •Discuss the level of public awareness of biotechnology in Nigeria.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction to Biotechnology

2h

Unit 3: Classification of Biotechnology

2 study hours
  • •Explain the bases of biotechnology classification.
  • •Outline the various branches of biotechnology.
  • •Explain the time-based classification of biotechnology.
  • •Explain the application-based classification of biotechnology.
Week
4

Module 1: Introduction to Biotechnology

2h

Unit 4: Scope of Environmental Biotechnology

2 study hours
  • •Explain what is environmental monitoring.
  • •Describe the various aspects of waste management.
  • •Describe the principles of bio-remediation.
  • •Explain the term bio-energy.
Week
5

Module 2: Methods in Biotechnology

2h

Unit 1: Concept and Definition of Methods

2 study hours
  • •Explain what is a method.
  • •Describe what constitutes an appropriate method for a process.
  • •Describe how existing methods can be modified or adapted for a new process.
  • •Outline the various methods used in environmental biotechnology.
Week
6

Module 2: Methods in Biotechnology

2h

Unit 2: Methods Used in Environmental Biotechnology

2 study hours
  • •Explain what constitutes traditional and modern methods.
  • •Describe the various traditional methods used in environmental biotechnology.
  • •Describe the various modern methods in environmental biotechnology.
Week
7

Module 2: Methods in Biotechnology

2h

Unit 3: Traditional and Modern Methods in Environmental Health

2 study hours
  • •Explain the traditional methods of waste management.
  • •Discuss the modern methods of waste management.
  • •Describe the preventive methods of pest and disease control.
  • •Discuss the chemical and non chemical based methods of vector control.
Week
8

Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health

2h

Unit 1: Application of Biotechnology to Waste Management

2 study hours
  • •Describe the emerging biotechnology methods of waste management.
  • •Describe the process of waste minimisation technology.
  • •Describe the waste recycling and conversion technologies with respect to organic fertilizer and bio-fuel production.
Week
9

Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health

2h

Unit 2: Biological and Traditional Control of Pests and Diseases

2 study hours
  • •Describe the role of gene therapy in disease prevention and control.
  • •Describe the production and effects of biosynthetic vaccines in disease prevention.
  • •Explain the chemical synthesis of drugs and its effects on disease control.
  • •Describe the role of insect sterilisation in the control of disease vectors.
Week
10

Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health

2h

Unit 3: Application of Biotechnology to Food Production and Preservation

2 study hours
  • •Explain what is a genetically-modified food including the role it plays in crop production and animal husbandry.
  • •Describe the quality of genetically-modified foods, including taste and texture.
  • •Explain the role of biotechnology in food preservation.
  • •Explain public concerns on genetically-modified foods.
Week
11

Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health

2h

Unit 4: Application of Biotechnology to Air and Water Pollution Control

2 study hours
  • •Explain the conventional methods of air pollution control.
  • •Describe the various types of bio filtration and their application to air pollution control.
  • •Explain what is aerobic biological treatment of polluted water.
  • •Explain what is anaerobic biological treatment of polluted water.
  • •Describe the application of enzymes and microbial cells to effluent treatment.
Week
12

Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health

2h

Unit 5: Application of Biotechnology to Remediation of Contaminated Land Sites

2 study hours
  • •Explain what a contaminated land is.
  • •Describe the various techniques for remediating heavy metal contaminated lands.
  • •Explain the various techniques for remediating lands contaminated by non degradable chemical and other preparations.
  • •Describe the various techniques for remediating oil and tar contaminated lands.
  • •Describe the various options for remediating land contaminated by industrial particles e.g. asbestos, quarrying dust, etc.
Week
13

Module 4: Merits and Demerits of Biotechnology Methods and Applications

4h

Unit 1: Merits and Demerits of Biotechnology

2 study hours
  • •Explain what is merit and demerit.
  • •Explain the advantages of biotechnology especially to environmental health practice.
  • •Explain the disadvantage of biotechnology especially to environmental health practice.

Unit 2: The Big Debate: To be or not to be

2 study hours
  • •Explain the issues involved in the big debate.
  • •Explain the ethical concerns involved in biotechnology.
  • •Explain the religious concerns involved in biotechnology.
  • •Explain the moral concerns involved in biotechnology.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review the definitions and concepts of biotechnology and environmental biotechnology from Unit 1 of Module 1.

2

Create a timeline of the historical development of biotechnology, focusing on key milestones and figures from Unit 2 of Module 1.

3

Prepare diagrams illustrating the different classifications of biotechnology and their applications, as covered in Unit 3 of Module 1.

4

Focus on understanding the various methods used in environmental biotechnology, including traditional and modern approaches from Module 2.

5

Practice applying biotechnology principles to specific environmental health challenges, such as waste management and pollution control from Module 3.

6

Critically evaluate the merits and demerits of biotechnology methods and applications, considering ethical, moral, and religious issues from Module 4.

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