| Unit name | Advanced Engineering Biology Topics and Techniques |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SEMTM0004 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Thomas Gorochowski |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Foundational training (delivered in Oxford, does not bear credit). |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
This unit provides training in advanced engineering biology approaches, tools and thinking. It will tackle emerging topics in the field covering machine learning and AI for engineering biology, biomaterials, engineered cellular communities and ecosystems, and biomedicine applications. Students will be exposed to interdisciplinary and state-of-the-art methodologies and applications of engineering biology with lecturers and practical sessions from a wide range of schools/faculties across two Institutions (Bristol and Oxford), as well as from industry.
How does the unit fit into your programme of study?
Knowledge gained during this unit will be required for the follow up group project, individual short projects, and for the final PhD project.
Overview of the content
The unit will be split into three parts.
1) Machine Learning for EngBio. This will cover Python programming and machine learning applications in Engineering Biology.
2) Emerging EngBio Research Topics. Topics that may include biomaterials, cybergenetics, engineered cell communities, and the integration of control engineering in EngBio workflows.
3) EngBio for Biomedicine. This will cover a range of topics that may include antibodies, viruses, and case-studies detailing the translation of EngBio products p through scale-up.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
At the end of this unit, students will have gained specialised knowledge in interdisciplinary engineering biology topics, gained hands-on experience in applying data-centric approaches for biological design, and been introduced to and had the chance to reflect on the broad applications that engineering biology offers.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
The unit will be delivered via a combination of:
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative assessments from previous units (e.g. journal club “EngBio Design Across Scales: From Biomolecules to Cells: unit); feedback during interactive demonstration labs.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Video presentation (50%): This will be an individual coursework assignment in which you will create a recorded video presentation which demonstrates your understanding of at least one core experimental methodology and at least one computational methodology for EngBio and where you explore and analyse applications of advanced EngBio design (LO2; LO3)
Data handling exercise (50%): This will be an individual coursework assignment in which you will use machine learning tools to analyse a dataset associated with problems in EngBio (LO1)
When assessment does not go to plan
Re-assessment takes the same form as the original summative assessment. If you pass one of the summative assessments, then your mark for this can be carried forward towards your final mark and you will only have to be reassessed on the assessment that you did not pass.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SEMTM0004).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
