Plant Biotech & Entrepreneurship

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The aim of this course is to awaken in students an entrepreneurial spirit in relation to biology. The course has two themes, the first deals with plant and fungal biology and their application in biotechnology. Topics covered will include: plant-symbiotic fungi and their application in sustainable agriculture, genetic engineering of plants and pharmaceutical production in plants and fungi. The second theme involves an introduction to business studies. The structure and development of a small business enterprise is examined and production of a business plan to capitalise and exploit a business venture is developed. Students will be placed in groups of 3-6 and will propose a business venture (which does not have to be plant oriented) that they must then research. Students will benefit from workshops to help them with the marketing and finance aspects of the plan.