Undergraduate Courses 2026-27

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BIBU

Biotechnology and Business

BIBU 1010
Biotechnology and Business Seminar
1 Credit(s)
Description
Study on selected current topics in biotechnology and business through attending seminars in related areas. This course provides a platform for students to interact and learn from different academic and practitioner leaders in both biotechnology and business fields. Graded P or F. For BIBU students only.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Understand the scientific principles underpinning those biotechnological innovations which achieve and maintain the competitiveness of biotechnology enterprises.
- 2.
  Critically evaluate contemporary biotechnological innovations and product ideas.
- 3.
  Understand the standards and conventions relating to social responsibilities and ethics practiced within a biotech firm.
BIBU 4820
Biotechnology Entrepreneurship and Business Operations
3 Credit(s)
Exclusion(s)
LIFS 4820
Description
This course allows students to acquire a combination of essential scientific principles and practical business know-how in the biotechnology market, with an emphasis on the uniqueness and complexities of biotechnology entrepreneurship. Special focus will be placed on analyzing the critical factors that are pertinent to a successful venture in biotechnology. These factors will include scientific and technological advancements, intellectual property rights, as well as regulatory and commercial considerations. Students will eventually learn how to translate the knowledge into a business plan for start-up processes within the biotechnology industry. Guest speakers will include those who have experience in starting or managing biotechnology companies. For BIBU and BIOT students in their fourth year of study only. Other students may seek instructor’s approval for enrolment.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Critically understand and identify scientific principles, product sectors, business management, manufacturing requirement, regulatory guidance and marketing opportunities of biotechnology products in order to complete the due diligence, and delineate the milestones for their commercialization.
- 2.
  Carefully analyze and evaluate a selective product idea by identifying and discussing the strength, weakness, opportunity and threat of its development; in order to determine its suitability for commercialization.
- 3.
  Work and coordinate effectively in a team environment to research, prepare and deliver a business proposal of a selective biotech project for potential investors.
- 4.
  Apply scientific, regulatory, and management knowledge toward the registration, organization, daily operation, and growth of an entrepreneur enterprise.
- 5.
  Identify potential sources of funding through government or private investment locally and globally.
- 6.
  Ethically consider the social impact, benefit and requirement of a new biotech product, in order to minimize development time and improve revenue outcome.
BIBU 4830
Biotechnology Management
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course provides students with a general outlook of the roles and responsibilities in managing the biotech business. Business constraints like sales and marketing, partnerships, critical success factors in operations, market entry barriers, risk management and relationships with stakeholders will be covered in this course, with special focus on strategic development in the biotech business. Guest speakers will contribute their personal experience to offer a professional view of the key issues, pitfalls and opportunities in their daily business activity. A large use of case studies and other process management techniques will simulate potential scenarios in which students may be called to operate soon after they completed their university career. For BIBU students in their fourth year of study only.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Distinguish among all relevant priorities which flood and afflict the daily life of an entire biotech business such as R&D, manufacturing, testing (QC, QA), regulatory affairs, marketing and sales, distribution, logistics, finance, legal, communication.
- 2.
  Explain the role of stakeholders that gravitate around the biotech industry.
- 3.
  Identify Partnerships, Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances as potential tools for increasing the company value and foster business opportunities in complex or hostile environments.
- 4.
  Practice "soft-tools" that are paramount to personal and business relationships with colleagues, customers and any other stakeholders.
- 5.
  Evaluate the commercial "risk" involved in daily commercial operations, as well as the overall corporate risk faced by the company as a large, autonomous and stand-alone organism.
- 6.
  Recognize the ethical implications of commercializing a biotech product in different geographical regions of the world.
BIBU 4840
Biotechnology and Business Capstone Project
3 Credit(s)
Description
Under the supervision of faculty members, students in small groups will undertake a project to investigate selected topics relevant to the biotechnology industry and its business operations. The project will be delivered through the format of literature review. Course assessment will be based on students’ written report and oral presentation that documents the project work and learning experiences. For BIBU students with approval of the course instructor for enrollment in the course.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Demonstrate knowledge of scientific research principles and methodology relating to the field of biotech business.
- 2.
  Apply knowledge and techniques acquired from the Program in addressing the issue relating to biotech business.
- 3.
  Demonstrate well-developed problem-solving skills for a wide range of problems in the biotech industry by taking into account of real-life constraints.
- 4.
  Develop critical thinking when making decisions in the real-life biotech business.
- 5.
  Recognize the operation of real-life biotech business, leading to understanding of professional, ethical, social issues and responsibilities.
- 6.
  Develop effective interpersonal and teamwork skills through written and oral presentation.
BIBU 4850
Biotechnology and Business Project Research
6 Credit(s)
Prerequisite(s)
LIFS 3110
Description
This is a one-year course. With a one-on-one supervision by faculty member, students will undertake a research project of their choice in biotechnological innovation/ideas: design of experiments, analysis of data, submission of a business plan/proposal in order to commercialize the selected biotechnological innovation/ideas. Credit load will be spread over the year. For BIBU students with approval of the course instructor for enrolling in the course. May be graded PP.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Demonstrate Lab skills and methods relating to the field of biotechnology.
- 2.
  Utilize knowledge and techniques acquired from the Program for commercializing the biotechnological innovation/ideas.
- 3.
  Demonstrate well-developed problem-solving skills for a wide range of problems in the biotech industry by taking into account of real-life constraints.
- 4.
  Develop critical thinking when making decisions in the real-life biotech business.
- 5.
  Recognize the operation of real-life biotech business, leading to understanding of professional, ethical, social issues and responsibilities.
- 6.
  Develop effective interpersonal and teamwork skills through written and oral presentation.

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