The minor Biotechnology is a practice-based minor programme which focusses in more detail on a subset of the topics in the Biotechnology. Biotechnology is a quickly evolving research area, which offers many chances for innovative research.

The theoretical modules of this minor programme will teach you more about the field of biotechnology and biochemistry. Besides these courses, there is a strong emphasis on the practical execution of a research project during the laboratory courses. During these laboratory courses the students work as independent couples on designated research projects. These projects are usually based on ongoing research that is currently going on at one the knowledge institutes of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences.

For example, some previous and current research projects are linked to microbial production (e.g. production of bioplastics), renewable energy (biogas production), specific growth conditions (e.g. light wavelengths, influencing growth of plants) and various other projects.

Since this minor programme is also open to exchange students, you will not only learn a lot about biotechnology, but also learn more about working together in an international environment.

Learning outcomes

• Applying knowledge about biotechnology towards a real life research project
• Experience in practical research in the field of biotechnology
• Project management
• Working together with students from different backgrounds

Research project Biotechnology (15 EC) - assignment
Within the Laboratory Course of Biotechnology various types of research is executed, e.g. working with bioreactors (anaerobic digestion, algal cultures, fermentation experiment), working with plants, molecular cloning/modification of genes, extraction and analysis of plant components, working with bacteria producing bioplastics, et cetera.

Students will work on (ongoing) research project linked to the Knowledge Center Biobased Economy, Center of Expertise Energy, Innovation Centers or Companies. A variety of project will be available, which will be presented shortly before the start of the module.

In total 9 days of Laboratory days are scheduled, beside the theoretical aspects of research (literature research, preparation of experiments, elaboration of results) which is done outside the laboratory. 

Students will be assessed based on their practical skills, on a full research report and a poster (including presentation). 

 

Applied Microbiology (5EC):

• Bioprocess Engineering (3EC) – written exam
• Genetic Engineering (2EC) - assignment
  
  

Within biotechnology microorganisms can be applied in a wide variety of processes, such as the production of (recombinant) proteins or metabolites, but also industrial processes such as the production of biogas (anaerobic digestion), biohydrogen (dark fermentation vs photo-fermentation), bioremediation (heavy metals, aromatic compounds and chlorinated compounds) and mineral recovery and acid mine drainage.  

To effectively use microorganisms for this, you can adjust the environmental conditions in such a way that the carry out the desired processes. For this, a detailed understanding of the diversity of microbial metabolism is needed, but also an understanding of modelling of growth in both batch cultures and continuous cultures. Once the concept of energy-conversion and the modelling of growth is clear, it will be applied in various biotechnological processes. This includes (A) biogas production (anaerobic digestion) in which you learn to calculate the yield of biogas from various types of biomass, (B) biohydrogen production, in which two different types of bioreactors are involved, (C) photosynthetic biomass production, in which you learn the calculate the yield of algal biomass based on the amount of sunlight and (D) bioremediation, predominantly linked to sulphate reducing bacteria or sulphide oxidising bacteria. 

Another way to effectively used microorganisms is the reconstruction of their genetic makeup in such a way that they also could produce the desired product. The most widely used method for protein expression is to incorporate the gene of interest into a protein expression vector. Protein expression vectors contain sequences necessary for gene transcription and translation, such as promoters, terminators, and translation initiation signals. This supplies a toolbox to construct protein expression vectors for the production of recombinant proteins (e.g., enzymes, hormones, etc). After production of recombinant proteins there is a need for protein purification strategies, which will be part of this module. 

 

Advanced Analysis of Biomolecules & Medicinal Chemistry (5EC):
Advanced Analysis of Biomolecules (3 EC) – assignment
Medical Chemisty (2EC) – written exam

The course Advanced Analysis of Biomolecules will use 10 lessons of 1,5 hours to get you acquainted with advanced techniques of the field of protein analysis and proteomics. This will take place by three sets of lectures each accompanied by a guest lecture by an expert in the field, presenting a recent research article or a specialistic topic. You will prepare for the visits of the guest lecturer by participating in discussions in Perusal and/or attending the introduction lectures. You will participate actively in the guest lectures and will demonstrate this by handing in the questions they asked accompanied by the answer of the guest lecturer. You will write a review about one of the articles discussed and take a written exam  for another.

After these three lecture sets, you will demonstrate the acquired knowledge by the presentation of a poster about an article that describes research in which contemporary protein analysis techniques are used. Posters of peers will be feedbacked by all the students before printing. Your end grade is based on the tasks that are handed in (Perusal discussion, review, test and questions and answers of the expert lectures) and the poster presentation.  

The course Medicinal Chemistry comprises 6 lectures of 1,5 hours to get you acquainted with how the chemical structure of a drug (medicine) determines its medicinal activity in the human body. During the lectures theoretical information will be presented in combination with assignments & exercises. The end grade for this part of the course is determined with a written exam. 

Plant Biotechnology and Genetics (5EC) - assignment
The production of agricultural products such as vegetables, fruits, plants, seeds etc. is important for the Netherlands. For example, after the USA, the Netherlands exports the second largest amount of seed potatoes. In 2024 approximately 20 billion euros of fresh products were exported. Plant biotechnology can contribute to current and future societal problems. For example, for sustained food production the development of crops that are  more tolerant to diseases and changing environmental conditions by plant-breeding are needed. Next to this, contributions to a biobased economy for the replacement of fossil fuels, development of techniques for precision-agriculture, and usage of plants as chemical factories are important plant biotechnological applications.  

In this course you will familiarize yourself with different aspects of plant-breeding in biotechnological applications including the genetics of plant-breeding. Furthermore, within a project group, you will be challenged to develop your own plant biotechnological startup by writing a business plan and presenting it. Developing your own ideas concerning plant biotechnological startups will be encouraged. Nowadays it is still not allowed to have genetically modified plants as food in the European Union. Within the module there will be an ethical discussion on plant biotechnology related topics concerning genetically modified food. 

Check the full info in the Hanze Course Catalogue.

• Minimal 2-3 years Bachelor Degree programme in the field of (Molecular) Biology, Biotechnology or Biochemistry (or comparable)
• Basic knowledge in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Cell Biology and proficiency in laboratory skills/techniques
• Good command of English. Exchange students are not required to submit proof of their proficiency in English

Check the timetables in Digirooster. 

Research project Biotechnology (15 EC) - assignment

Applied Microbiology (5EC):
- Bioprocess Engineering (3EC) – written exam
- Genetic Engineering (2EC) - assignment

Advanced Analysis of Biomolecules &
Medicinal Chemistry (5EC):
- Advanced Analysis of Biomolecules (3 EC) – assignment
- Medical Chemisty (2EC) – written exam

Plant Biotechnology and Genetics (5EC) - assignment