Module: MasterClass in Biotherapeutics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	MasterClass in Biotherapeutics
Module Code	BIO1033 (ITS: BE566)
Faculty	Biotechnology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30

Description

Students who choose the Masterclass in Biotherapeutics will develop key analytical and computational skills in the field of biotherapeutics in highly focused laboratory sessions under the guidance of several Principal Investigators (Cell Culture, Proliferation and Transfection, Cell viability assays, ELISA, protein A chromatography, SDS-PAGE and Bioinformatics). The masterclasses will focus on the latest advances in monoclonal antibody production in the treatment of breast cancer. Students will prepare a comprehensive literature review on a topic that is relevant for the production of monoclonal antibodies and their use as cancer therapeutics, and will disseminate their masterclass results as a research manuscript that adheres to the publishing guidelines of a leading peer-reviewed international journal. Students will also prepare a comprehensive grant proposal that addresses the search for and the production of novel biotherapeutics in immune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and nervous system diseases. Overall, students will appreciate the need for research scientists to disseminate their research through manuscript writing and to fund their future research programmes through grant applications and through these activities will develop their communication skills and project planning skills. Finally, the masterclass results and grant proposal will be disseminated via an oral presentation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop valuable hands-on experience in key techniques and technologies pertaining to Biotherapeutics.
2. Design and plan experiments, generate raw data, present the data and critically analyse it through the generation of a comprehensive report.
3. Locate the source information and literature necessary for your masterclasses, grant proposal and literature review.
4. Prepare a research manuscript that provides a summary and critical analysis of the scientific research that was carried out in this project.
5. Prepare a grant proposal that outlines a comprehensive body of work to be carried out over a 4 year period.
6. Deliver an oral presentation of your masterclass results and grant proposal.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Directed learning	160	Generation of a comprehensive literature review
Laboratory	20	Pre-laboratory work and experimental design planning.
Laboratory	80	MasterClass in Biotherapeutics
Assignment Completion	260	Preparation of the research manuscript with independent study.
Assignment Completion	200	Preparation of the grant proposal with independent study.
Class Presentation	30	Preparation and delivery of the oral presentation.
Total Workload: 750

Section Breakdown
CRN	10790	Part of Term	Semester 1, 2 & 3
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Janosch Heller	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Literature review on a given topic pertaining to biotherapeutics. This will be submitted together with the MasterClass report and grant proposal in early August.	35%	Other
Research Paper	Students will disseminate their masterclass results as a research manuscript that adheres to the publishing guidelines of a leading peer-reviewed international journal. This will be submitted together with the literature review and grant proposal in early August.	30%	Other
Assignment	Students will prepare a grant proposal. This will be submitted together with the literature review and the MasterClass report in early August.	20%	Other
Presentation	Oral presentation on masterclass results and grant proposal. These presentations will be held in early August.	15%	Other

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

MasterClass
Development of key analytical and computational skills in the field of biotherapeutics in highly focused laboratory sessions under the guidance of several Principal Investigators (Cell Culture, Proliferation and Transfection, Cell viability assays, ELISA, protein A chromatography, SDS-PAGE and Bioinformatics).

Literature Review
Preparation of a comprehensive literature review on a topic that is relevant for the production of monoclonal antibodies and their use as cancer therapeutics.

Research Manuscript
Dissemination of masterclass results as a research manuscript that adheres to the publishing guidelines of a leading peer-reviewed international journal.

Grant proposal
Preparation of a comprehensive grant proposal that addresses the search for and the production of novel biotherapeutics in immune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and nervous system diseases.

Oral presentation
Dissemination of masterclass results and grant proposal via an oral presentation.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

0: Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies and Antibody Products, Their Optimization and Drug Design in Cancers, 978-3-0365-26,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None