Dr hab. Irena Horwacik
phone: +48 12 664 63 69
e-mail: irena.horwacik@uj.edu.pl
room: 3.0.32 (B139), 1st floor
Molecular Biotechnology is the second-cycle study programme run in English. The programme encompasses 4 semesters of courses and focuses on broadening knowledge of the molecular basis of modern biotechnology with the emphasis on practical uses of this knowledge in, for instance, improving human life and health, in industry or environmental sciences.
The programme offers compulsory courses as well as elective ones. The main block of compulsory courses provided in the first year of studies focuses on obtaining broadened theoretical knowledge and practical skills in molecular biotechnology, genetic engineering, biochemistry, cell biology, medical biotechnology, plant biotechnology, the application of biotechnology in the environment protection as well as in bioinformatics. Another block of compulsory courses in the first year of studies is devoted to the protection of industrial property and copyright laws. In the same year of studies the students attend a course in the English language so that they can learn it at least on the B2+ level as set up by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
In the second year of studies the students participate in diploma seminars on selected issues in molecular genetics and cell biochemistry. They also learn how to prepare an academic research paper. Moreover, they attend a course on practical and philosophical problems of science.
The study programme in Molecular Biotechnology emphasizes developing practical skills. During three semesters the student who attends a course in Laboratory Practice in the chosen science team of the Faculty and carries out a research project, develops and broadens his/her array of advanced research techniques and tools used in biochemistry, cell biology, genetic engineering and microbiology. The projects carried out by the students are biotechnological in nature or have well-defined aspects of molecular biotechnology and the results they yield serve as the basis for diploma dissertation.
The study programme also offers an array of elective course that the students may select throughout their studies depending on their own academic interests. It is worth nothing that some elective courses have also a practical character (laboratory classes) having a decisive biotechnological character, related to, among other things, using different types of virus vectors, production of monoclonal antibodies, methods of producing biofuel, industrial microbiology, stem cells or cell engineering.
- broadening and increasing knowledge of biochemistry, molecular biology and selected fields of biotechnology
- achieving theoretical basis and practical skills of using advanced research methods and techniques of cell biology, biochemistry, immunochemistry, microbiology and genetic engineering, which are applicable in biotechnology; learning possibilities and limitations of particular methods
- learning how to proficiently use academic literature on biotechnology and related disciplines
- learning how to fluently use specialist language of biology and biotechnology in academic conversations and in writing
- achieving proficiency in English at the B2+ level as set by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which allows for an effortless academic discussion in English and using English terminology pertaining to biotechnology and related disciplines
- becoming aware of bioethical problems accompanying the development of biotechnology as well as of the necessity to be guided by ethical work principles
- getting into the habit of lifelong learning; learning how to develop professional skills on one’s own, as well as learning teamwork
- getting ready to enter a doctoral school or take up professional work at research and diagnostic institutions and in biotechnological companies
a) compulsory courses (54 ECTS points), including specialization courses and the courses in the humanities and social sciences, two diploma seminars, a foreign language course, practicum in thesis preparation and occupational safety and health training.
b) elective courses (67 ECTS points), including: Laboratory Practice – part 1, 2 and 3, as well as specialized elective courses.
SEMESTER 1 (winter)
Essential Aspects of Cell Biology, 75 h, 6 ECTS, exam
Genetic Engineering – Practicum, Part 1, 30 h, 2 ECTS, assessment
Genetic Engineering – Practicum, Part 2, 45 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Milestones in Biotechnology, 20 h, 2 ECTS, assessment
Molecular Biotechnology, 15 h, 1 ECTS, exam
Plant Biology, 55 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Practical Biochemistry, 60 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Intellectual Property, 10 h, 1 ECTS, exam
Foreign language*, 30 h, assessment
Safety at Work Training, 4 h, assessment
Elective courses, 4 ECTS
TOTAL: 28 ECTS
*Foreign language Students attend a course in a foreign language that is credited with an exam for two semesters in the 1st year of study and that matches their language skills. They may choose a course in a different foreign language or be exempt from a course in a foreign language as long as they can submit a certificate of the English language skills (following the rules which are in force at the Jagiellonian University).
SEMESTER 2 (summer)
Biotechnology for the Environment – Ecological Aspects, 20 h, 2 ECTS, exam
Essential Bioinformatics, 45 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions, 15 h, 1 ECTS, exam
Plant Biotechnology I – Laboratory, 50 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Foreign language 30 h, 4 ECTS, exam
Laboratory Practice (Part 1)**, 120 h, 8 ECTS, assessment
Elective courses, 10 ECTS
TOTAL: 33 ECTS
SEMESTER 3 (winter)
Introduction to Scientific Writing, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Practical and Philosophical Problems of Science, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Seminar – Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biochemistry (Part 1), 30 h, 2 ECTS, assessment
Laboratory Practice (Part 2), 270 h, 17 ECTS, assessment
Elective courses, 5 ECTS
TOTAL: 30 ECTS
SEMESTER 4 (summer)
Seminar – Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biochemistry (Part 2), 30h 2 ECTS, assessment
Writing of a Diploma Dissertation – Practicum, 30 h, 5 ECTS, assessment
Laboratory Practice (Part 3), 300 h, 20 ECTS, assessment
Elective courses, 3 ECTS
TOTAL: 30 ECTS
The study programme (including the detailed descrpitions of all courses) is avaiable on Aplikacja Sylabus UJ.
Among elective courses there are specialized courses which the students choose during two years of study, following their own academic interests (22 ECTS points). Among those courses there is also Laboratory Practice (part 1, 2, 3) (45 ECTS).
WINTER SEMESTER
Advanced Methods of Biology on the Molecular Level, 60 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Animal Models in Contemporary Biology and Biotechnology, 20 h, 2 ECTS, assessment
Contemporary Subjects in Cell Biology – Focus on Regenerative Medicine, 30 h, 2 ECTS, assessment
Fluorescence and Confocal Microscopy, 45 h, 5 ECTS, assessment
Mechanisms of Cell Trafficking: from Leukocyte Homing to Metastasis, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Mechanisms of Cell Trafficking: from Leucocyte Homing to Metastasis – Seminar, 15 h, 1 ECTS, assessment
Molecular Aspects of Bacterial Pathogenesis, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Phage Displayed Peptide Libraries and Their Application, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Plant Biotechnology II – Advanced Course, 60 h, 5 ECTS, assessment
Plant Photobiology, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Principles and Prospects of Gene Therapy, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Principles of Molecular Bioenergetics, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment Viral Vectors in Medical Biotechnology, 45 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
In Vivo Veritas – Practical Course in Animal Research, 120 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Types of cell death and their biological significance, 18 h, 2 ECTS, assessment
SUMMER SEMESTER
Biotechnological Methods of the Fuels Production, 50 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology – Practical Course, 36h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Cancer – Molecular Aspects of the Disease and its Treatment, 20 h, 2 ECTS, assessment
Cell Biomechanics, 35 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Ethical Aspects of Genetic and Cell Manipulations, 15 h, 1 ECTS, assessment
Free Radicals, Oxidative Stress and Us, 45 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Introduction to Medical Biotechnology, 18 h, 2 ECTS, assessment
Introduction to Secondary Metabolites – from Identification to Practical Application, 48 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Introduction to Stem Cell Biology, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Molecular Mechanisms of Angiogenesis, 45 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Molecular Principles of the Biology of Plant Development, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Monoclonal Antibodies – Advanced Course, 70 h, 6 ECTS, assessment
Nuclear Receptors in Gene Regulation and Diseases, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Phytotechnologies – Biological Mechanisms and Applications, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Plant Experimental Biology, 75 h, 4 ECTS, assessment Practicum in Cell Biology, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Programming Python for Bioinformatics, 45 h, 4 ECTS, assessment
Selected Methods of Cell Engineering, 30 h, 3 ECTS, assessment
Types of cell death and their biological significance, 18 h, 2 ECTS, assessment