Environmental Biotechnology
- Health Sciences
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 167 pages
- 14 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of EHS308, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 APPLICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY TO WASTE MANAGEMENTPage 159
- UNIT 2: TRADITIONAL AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL METHODS OF PEST AND DISEASE CONTROLPage 169
- UNIT 3 APPLICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY TO FOOD PRODUCTION AND PRESERVATIONPage 186
- UNIT 4: APPLICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY TO AIR AND WATER POLLUTION CONTROLPage 198
- UNIT 5: APPLICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY TO REMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATED LAND SITESPage 137
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
EHS308 · UNIT 2 ORIGIN, HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
5.0 SUMMARY In this unit, you have learnt that the history of biotechnology. You also learnt that the history of biotechnology could be divided into three major periods, namely ancient, classical and modern eras. In the next unit, you will be taught the various areas of biotechnology applications.
What you should be able to do
- Define and explain the concepts of biotechnology and environmental biotechnology.
- Describe the historical origin, classification, and scope of biotechnology.
- Discuss the application of biotechnology to waste management and pollution control.
- Evaluate the merits and demerits of biotechnology methods and applications.
- Analyze the religious, ethical, and moral issues in biotechnology.
- Apply biotechnology techniques to improve environmental health practices.
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Biotechnologist
- Waste Management Specialist
- Environmental Health Officer
- Research Scientist
- Bioremediation Technician
- Environmental Management
- Waste Treatment
- Agriculture
- Pharmaceuticals
- Food Production
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Methods in Biotechnology
Unit 2: Methods Used in Environmental Biotechnology
Understanding the principles and application of genetic engineering requires a strong foundation in molecular biology and genetics.
- Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health
Unit 5: Application of Biotechnology to Remediation of Contaminated Land Sites
The complex interactions between microorganisms and pollutants require a deep understanding of microbial ecology and biochemistry.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Biotechnology
Unit 1: Concept and Definition of Biotechnology · 2 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 2Module 1: Introduction to Biotechnology
Unit 2: Origin, History and Development of Biotechnology · 2 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 3Module 1: Introduction to Biotechnology
Unit 3: Classification of Biotechnology · 2 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 4Module 1: Introduction to Biotechnology
Unit 4: Scope of Environmental Biotechnology · 2 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 5Module 2: Methods in Biotechnology
Unit 1: Concept and Definition of Methods · 2 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 6Module 2: Methods in Biotechnology
Unit 2: Methods Used in Environmental Biotechnology · 2 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 7Module 2: Methods in Biotechnology
Unit 3: Traditional and Modern Methods in Environmental Health · 2 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 8Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health
Unit 1: Application of Biotechnology to Waste Management · 2 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 9Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health
Unit 2: Biological and Traditional Control of Pests and Diseases · 2 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 10Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health
Unit 3: Application of Biotechnology to Food Production and Preservation · 2 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 11Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health
Unit 4: Application of Biotechnology to Air and Water Pollution Control · 2 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 12Module 3: Application of Biotechnology to Environmental Health
Unit 5: Application of Biotechnology to Remediation of Contaminated Land Sites · 2 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 13Module 4: Merits and Demerits of Biotechnology Methods and Applications
Unit 1: Merits and Demerits of Biotechnology · 2 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 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..
Preparing for the exam
- Review the definitions and concepts of biotechnology and environmental biotechnology from Unit 1 of Module 1.
- Create a timeline of the historical development of biotechnology, focusing on key milestones and figures from Unit 2 of Module 1.
- Prepare diagrams illustrating the different classifications of biotechnology and their applications, as covered in Unit 3 of Module 1.
- Focus on understanding the various methods used in environmental biotechnology, including traditional and modern approaches from Module 2.
- Practice applying biotechnology principles to specific environmental health challenges, such as waste management and pollution control from Module 3.
- Critically evaluate the merits and demerits of biotechnology methods and applications, considering ethical, moral, and religious issues from Module 4.
Questions students ask about this course
What is EHS308 about?
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.
How many units does EHS308 have?
EHS308, Environmental Biotechnology, has 14 units across 4 modules, over 167 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is EHS308?
EHS308 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Health Sciences.
Is EHS308 hard?
EHS308 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does EHS308 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.
How is EHS308 assessed?
EHS308 is assessed by Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with EHS308?
Environmental Biotechnologist, Waste Management Specialist, Environmental Health Officer, Research Scientist and Bioremediation Technician.