Science & Environment

Biotechnology is the application of the biological sciences, using living organisms or natural products, in industrial situations. It's a growth area, with specific applications to the pharmaceutical, agricultural, pollution control and waste management industries. There is a demand for biotechnologists with an understanding and awareness of the industrial and medical applications of this technology.

You develop the skills needed at the interface of biology and engineering, and to design processes and products relating to these industries. On completion of the course, you'll be able to:

• interpret data generated by bioanalytical methods
• develop bioremediation strategies
• design and evaluate strategies for biomanufacturing products
• design protocols for genetic modification and analysis of organisms
• conduct computer analysis of biological sequence data (bioinformatics).

What you study

For the award of the MSc you study the six taught modules listed followed by a 60-credit in-depth project.

How you learn

The course is delivered using a series of lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions.

How you are assessed

All modules are assessed by in-course assignments.

Career opportunities

Graduates are employed in the fields of biotechnology, biochemistry and pharmaceutical science or progress to teaching or higher degree-level study.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have an honours degree (at least 2.2) in an appropriate related discipline, corporate membership of an appropriate chartered institution or an equivalent relevant qualification. Suitable areas would include biology, biochemistry, chemistry or life sciences.

For additional information please see the undergraduate and postgraduate entry requirements in our admissions section

Industrial experience

On this Master's degree you complete an industrially related project. This, along with the involvement of industrialists, practitioners and academics in the delivery of this course, ensures that it is relevant to the demands of the process manufacturing industries.

Intermediate awards

Our master's degrees can lead to the award of a postgraduate certificate at Stage 1 (60 credits - 3 modules), a postgraduate diploma at Stage 2 (120 credits - 6 modules) or, on completion of a research project, the MSc.

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