Selected topics in life sciences
Summary
This course explores advances at the intersection of biology, biotech, engineering, and medicine. Through lectures, projects, and expert talks, students examine research transforming healthcare, tackling global health issues, and raising ethical and societal questions.
Content
This interdisciplinary course explores groundbreaking advances at the convergence of biology, biotechnology, engineering, physical sciences, and medicine. Through a dynamic mix of lectures, discussions, and projects, students will examine how cutting-edge research is reshaping biomedical fields, transforming healthcare practices, and addressing critical global health issues. Students will engage with experts, discuss ethical considerations, and understand the broader societal impacts of emerging biotechnologies.
Lectures feature the latest advancements, practical applications, and societal impacts fields such as:
- Cutting-edge biomedical technologies
- Advances in cancer treatments and immunotherapies
- Innovative applications of chemical biology in diagnostics
- Epigenetics and personalized medicine
- Fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying diseases
- Recent developments in neuroengineering and neuroprosthetics
- Synthetic biology and genetic engineering breakthroughs
- Immunotherapy approaches targeting neurodegenerative diseases
In this course, you will critically analyze biomedical research to identify key insights. You will explore diverse career opportunities in life sciences and biotechnology. The course will also help you enhance your ability to ask insightful questions and lead engaging discussions. Additionally, you will strengthen your skills in delivering effective oral presentations and develop strategies for providing and utilizing constructive peer feedback.
Interactive Guest Lectures:
Renowned professionals from biotechnology companies, MedTech industry, academia, and innovative startups will share real-world experiences, discuss their latest research findings, and engage directly with students through interactive Q&A sessions.
Lecture Format:
- Duration: 50-60 min lecture, followed by 15-30 min interactive Q&A and discussions.
- Delivery Mode: In-person
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, students will:
- Critically assess recent advancements and trends in interdisciplinary biomedical research.
- Evaluate ethical, societal, and economic implications associated with biotechnology developments.
- Articulate clearly the impacts of new biomedical technologies on healthcare systems.
- Demonstrate the ability to summarize, analyze, and discuss significant scientific findings.
- Effectively communicate scientific ideas through well-structured presentations.
Keywords
Biotechnology, Biomedical Research, Chemical Biology, Genomics, Synthetic Biology, Neuroengineering, Genetic Engineering, Immunotherapy, Personalized Medicine, Diagnostics.
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
None
Recommended courses
Biology of the Cell, Biochemistry, Biological Chemistry, Organic Chemistry.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Formulate
- Analyze
- Contrast
- Contextualise
- Discuss
- Present
Transversal skills
- Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
- Evaluate one's own performance in the team, receive and respond appropriately to feedback.
- Give feedback (critique) in an appropriate fashion.
- Make an oral presentation.
- Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
- Summarize an article or a technical report.
- Communicate effectively, being understood, including across different languages and cultures.
Teaching methods
Lectures led by instructors and guest experts, supported by:
- In-depth discussions on ethical and societal dimensions of emerging biotechnologies.
- Analysis and debates around recent scientific news and discoveries.
- Collaborative student-led Q&A sessions and individual project-based activities.
Expected student activities
Students will actively participate in a variety of learning formats, including:
- Attending expert-led lectures and engaging in interactive Q&A sessions
- Reading and analyzing recent scientific articles and reviews
- Participating in structured group discussions and ethical debates
- Collaborating on peer-reviewed group projects and presentations
- Preparing and delivering an individual oral presentation on a selected topic
- Giving and receiving constructive feedback in a professional setting
These activities are designed to foster critical thinking, interdisciplinary communication, and confidence in presenting complex scientific ideas.
Assessment methods
Students will be evaluated through two group-based in-class participation activities (30%), two individual lecture assignments (30%), and a semester-long individual oral presentation project (40%).
Supervision
| Office hours | Yes |
| Assistants | Yes |
Resources
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)
Yes
Bibliography
Recommended readings:
- One review article per topic
- Two recent research publications per topic
All the relevant papers will be provided by the instructor.
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: Selected topics in life sciences
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: Selected topics in life sciences
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: Selected topics in life sciences
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: Selected topics in life sciences
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional