Academic Handbook Course Descriptors and Programme Specifications

LBIOL52109A Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Health Economics Course Descriptor

Course code LBIOL52109A Discipline Bioscience and Chemistry
UK Credit 15 US Credit N/A
FHEQ level 5
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None

Course Overview

The course develops a critical understanding of the evolution and impact of the industrialisation of biological processes. It considers the wider economic, ethical, regulatory and societal contexts for manufacturing and the key areas where industrialisation is taking place. It examines the principles, methodologies and technologies that are employed within scaled production and the challenges and opportunities that industrialisation and manufacturing have on health economics and markets.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

K1b Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the underlying principles, concepts and drivers of health economics.
K2b Critically understand and have knowledge of industrial scale bioprocessing, biotechnology and manufacturing.
K4b Critically understand and have knowledge of the main areas in which industrialisation and manufacture of biological processes operate, the management challenges, opportunities of scale, and the impact of the sector on health economics.

Subject Specific Skills

S3b Analyse and interpret health economics data to identify trends and draw conclusions.
S4b Critically evaluate the opportunities of industrialisation and manufacturing in the bioscience and health sectors, such as the wider cultural, ethical, social and business contexts.

Transferable and Professional Skills

T1b Take responsibility for independent study and time management.
T2b Research information from a range of sources.
T3b Display a developing technical proficiency in written English and an ability to communicate clearly and accurately in structured and coherent pieces of writing.

Teaching and Learning

This is an e-learning course, taught throughout the year.

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include:

  • Online learning
  • Online discussion groups
  • Online assessment

Course information and supplementary materials will be available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Learners are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Learners are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

  • Off-the-job learning and teaching (6 days x 7 hours) = 42 hours
  • On-the-job learning (12 days x 7 hours) = 84 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 6 weeks)
  • Private study (4 hours per week) = 24 hours

Total = 150 hours

Workplace assignments (see below) will be completed as part of on-the-job learning.

Assessment

Formative

Learners will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide learners with developmental feedback. 

Summative

AE   Assessment Type Weighting Duration Length
1 Exam 40% 1 hour
2 Set Exercises (problem-solving) 60% Requiring on average 20 – 25 hours to complete

Feedback

Learners will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Learners will also attend a formal meeting with their Success Manager (and for apprentices, including their Line Manager). These bi or tri-partite reviews will monitor and evaluate the learner’s progress. 

Feedback is provided on summatively assessed assignments and through generic internal examiners’ reports, both of which are posted on the VLE.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to learners; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books 

  • Guinness L. and Wiseman V. (2011). Introduction to Health Economics (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press.
  • Komives, C. and Zhou, W. eds. (2019) Bioprocessing technology for production of biopharmaceuticals and bioproducts. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
  • Northeast Biomanufacturing Centre & Collaborative (2016). Northeast Biomanufacturing Center & Collaborative – Introduction to Biomanufacturing. [online] NBC2. Available at: https://biomanufacturing.org/curriculum-resources/textbooks-manuals/introduction-to-biomanufacturing

Journals

Learners are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on industrialisation, manufacturing and health economics as directed by their course leader.

Electronics Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on industrialisation, manufacturing and health economics.

Indicative Topics

  • Biological processes, industrialisation and manufacture
  • Health economics
  • Principles and key concepts in scaled biological processes

Version History

Title: NCHNAP5109 Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Health Economics Course Descriptor

Approved by: Academic Board

Location: Academic Handbook/Programme specifications and Handbooks/ Undergraduate Apprenticeship Programmes/BSc (Hons) Bioscience with Digital Technologies Programme Specification/Course Descriptors

Version number Date approved Date published  Owner Proposed next review date Modification (As per AQF4) & category number
4.0 July 2024 July 2024 Dr Helen Dawe July 2028 Category 1: Corrections/clarifications to documents which do not change approved content or learning outcomes

Category 3: New Course Code

3.0 October 2022 January 2023 Scott Wildman September 2026 Category 1: Corrections/clarifications to documents which do not change approved content or learning outcomes

Category 3: Changes to Learning Outcomes

2.0 January 2022 April 2022 Scott Wildman September 2026 Category 3: Changes to Learning Outcomes
1.0 September 2021 September 2021 Scott Wildman September 2026