Biotechnology, MSc

This Master’s in Biotechnology covers key fields such as gene therapy, drug design, genomics, proteomics, genetic engineering for plants, animals and micro-organisms, and bioinformatics.

This multidisciplinary MSc in Biotechnology course brings together aspects of chemistry, biology and cell biology to cover knowledge across several key fields. You'll gain critical and analytical skills and learn to solve problems, establishing the practical and professional skills you need for employment or further study.

The course helps you develop a creative attitude to the development and manufacture of biotechnology products. As well as subject-specific knowledge, you'll also gain critical awareness of the advances at the forefront of biotechnology. By exploring these biological systems, you'll learn to develop the technology, tools and products used in research, industry and agriculture.

The course also includes a research project. If you wish, you can earn an endorsement in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology by taking your project in a pharmaceutical science or a related area.

Teaching

This course is taught by lectures, seminars, workshops and lab-based exercises, with the use of practical case studies. You'll gain teamwork experience to simulate an industrial setting as well as the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities which are important for modern biotechnology practice.

Assessment

Students will be assessed through a variety of methods, such as:

• Classroom presentations, discussions and case-studies
• Critical reviews, looking at new areas of research
• Examinations.

Careers and placements

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

Potential career destinations include Pharmaceutical, Agricultural, Environmental and Biotechnology industries and consultancies, as well as Biomedical and Intellectual property rights agencies. It is also a fine pathway to a research degree (MPhil/PhD).