BIO401 Biotechnology
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
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Genetics and Bioengineering
Mohamed Ibrahim
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
The main objective of this course is to examine the basic concepts of biotechnology and the methods used in the manipulation of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). The course is supplemented with laboratory exercise and demonstrations that illustrate the basic concepts and techniques of biotechnology. Bioethical issues relating to this new technology will also be discussed. After taking this course, the students will know and/or be able to do the following: - Describe the foundations of biotechnology - Demonstrate the steps of recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering -Manipulate DNA with restriction enzymes -Construct recombinant vectors with novel properties - Amplify DNA by polymerase chain reaction - Identify a person based on DNA profile -Test for the presence of genetically modified foods -Identify ways in which biotechnology is used to help cure human diseases - Outline the ethical implications of biotechnology - Justify the importance of bioremediation
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Introduction to Biotechnology (2nd Edition) by William J. Thieman and Michael A. Palladino (2008).
Additional Literature
Biotechnology for Beginners by Reinhard Renneberg and Arnold L. Demain (2007)Teaching Methods
Class discussions with examples
Lab Exercises
Team assignments
Team presentation that involve real data, summary, interpretation and reporting and Field visits
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction: The Biotechnology Century and Its Workforce | Chapter 1 |
| 2 | An Introduction to Genes and Genomes | Chapter 2 |
| 3 | Recombinant DNA Technology and Genomics | Chapter 3 |
| 4 | Proteins as Products | Chapter 4 |
| 5 | Microbial Biotechnology | Chapter 5 |
| 6 | Plant Biotechnology; | Chapter 6 |
| 7 | Midterm Exam | |
| 8 | Animal Biotechnology | Chapter 7 |
| 9 | DNA Fingerprinting and Forensic Analysis | Chapter 8 |
| 10 | Bioremediation | Chapter 9 |
| 11 | Aquatic Biotechnology | Chapter 19 |
| 12 | Medical Biotechnology | Chapter 11 |
| 13 | Biotechnology Regulations | Chapter 12 |
| 14 | Ethics and Biotechnology | Chapter 13 |
| 15 | Revision |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 - 15:00 | A F1.14 | |
| Tuesday | 10:00 - 12:00 | A F1.14 | |
| Wednesday | 10:00 - 12:00 | A F1.14 | |
| Thursday | 10:00 - 12:00 | A F1.14 | |
| Friday | 10:00 - 12:00 | A F1.14 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
In-term exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Quiz
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Presentation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture Hours
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Home study
60 hours ⏳ (15 week × 4 h)
In-term exam study
15 hours ⏳ (1 week × 15 h)
Presentation project
12 hours ⏳ (2 week × 6 h)
assignments
18 hours ⏳ (2 week × 9 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [BIO401] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| BIO401 | Biotechnology | 3 | 0 | 6 | Wednesdays 12:00 - 14:50 | |||||
| Prerequisite | Junior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Mohamed Ibrahim | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 12:00-15:00 Tuesday: 10:00-12:00 Wednesday: 10:00-12:00 Thursday: 10:00-12:00 Friday: 10:00-12:00 |
|||||||
| mragab@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | The main objective of this course is to examine the basic concepts of biotechnology and the methods used in the manipulation of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). The course is supplemented with laboratory exercise and demonstrations that illustrate the basic concepts and techniques of biotechnology. Bioethical issues relating to this new technology will also be discussed. After taking this course, the students will know and/or be able to do the following: - Describe the foundations of biotechnology - Demonstrate the steps of recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering -Manipulate DNA with restriction enzymes -Construct recombinant vectors with novel properties - Amplify DNA by polymerase chain reaction - Identify a person based on DNA profile -Test for the presence of genetically modified foods -Identify ways in which biotechnology is used to help cure human diseases - Outline the ethical implications of biotechnology - Justify the importance of bioremediation |
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| Textbook | Introduction to Biotechnology (2nd Edition) by William J. Thieman and Michael A. Palladino (2008). | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
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| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
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| Teaching Methods | Class discussions with examples. Lab Exercises. Team assignments. Team presentation that involve real data, summary, interpretation and reporting and Field visits. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction: The Biotechnology Century and Its Workforce | Chapter 1 | ||||||||
| Week 2 | An Introduction to Genes and Genomes | Chapter 2 | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Recombinant DNA Technology and Genomics | Chapter 3 | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Proteins as Products | Chapter 4 | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Microbial Biotechnology | Chapter 5 | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Plant Biotechnology; | Chapter 6 | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Midterm Exam | |||||||||
| Week 8 | Animal Biotechnology | Chapter 7 | ||||||||
| Week 9 | DNA Fingerprinting and Forensic Analysis | Chapter 8 | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Bioremediation | Chapter 9 | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Aquatic Biotechnology | Chapter 19 | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Medical Biotechnology | Chapter 11 | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Biotechnology Regulations | Chapter 12 | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Ethics and Biotechnology | Chapter 13 | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Revision | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| In-term exam | 1 | 25 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Quiz | 2 | 20 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Presentation | 1 | 15 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | Home study | 4 | 15 | 60 | |||
| In-term exam study | 15 | 1 | 15 | Presentation project | 6 | 2 | 12 | |||
| assignments | 9 | 2 | 18 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 27/03/2026 | |||||||||