Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
BIOL4415 Healthcare biotechnology (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota 70
Course Co-ordinator Prof K W Y Yuen, Biological Sciences < kwyyuen@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof J W Zhang,School of Biological Sciences)
(Prof. K W Y Yuen,School of Biological Sciences)
Course Objectives This course discusses the key concepts and principles involved in healthcare biotechnology, and their applications in molecular medicine.
Course Contents & Topics Genetic biotechnology in animals (transgenics, knockouts and other related technologies): Transgenic animals as models in the study of human diseases, as bioreactors for the production of hormones, antibiotics and vaccines and organs for xenotransplantation.
Advanced molecular biology techniques related to human and animal science basic research, disease diagnosis and development of new therapies. These include but not limited to: applications of DNA technologies in diagnostic medicine and forensic science; tissue engineering.
An overview of the drug development process, with a focus on the early-stage, preclinical drug discovery, drug target identification, high-throughput assay development, and screening of chemical libraries (synthetic and natural products). The concept of individualized medicine will also be discussed.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 describe key concepts in genetic biotechnology and human health
CLO 2 acquire and apply advanced laboratory techniques essential to biotechnology
CLO 3 develop scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills to understand, analyze, and evaluate problems in order to develop solutions
CLO 4 gain insight into real-world applications in healthcare biotechnology
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOL3401 or BIOL3408
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational skills. Writings consistently demonstrate informed, thoughtful intellectual engagement with broad range of relevant concepts.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational skills. Writings mostly demonstrate informed, thoughtful intellectual engagement with broad range of relevant concepts.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational skills. Writings mostly indicate informed, intellectual engagement with concepts or theories but not always with sufficient depth, breadth or understanding.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational skills. Writings indicate some intellectual engagement with concepts or theories but mostly at a superficial level.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organizational skills are minimally effective or ineffective. Writings reveal an absence of intellectual engagement with concepts or theories. Writings are irrelevant or superficial.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory 24.0
Lectures 24.0
Tutorials tutorials/assignments/computer sessions 6.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 15.0 1,3,4
Examination 50.0 1,3,4
Laboratory reports 20.0 1,2,3,4
Test 15.0 1,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 - Textbook of Drug Design and Discovery (Krogsgaard-Larsen, Liljefors, and Madsen, Taylor & Francis, 2002)
- Human Molecular Genetics (Strachan and Read, Garland Science, 2010)
- Suggested readings for each topic will be provided.
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk/
Additional Course Information Moodle


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