Objectives
The MSc Biotechnology programme aims to: offer life science graduate students the opportunity to study biotechnology and its applications within an environment informed by current research in biotechnology and molecular biology. give a broad overview of biotechnology, and provide in-depth treatment of selected, specialised areas such as industrial biotechnology and molecular medicine, and/or immunology, virology & enymology. enable students to critically analyse and interpret biological data including molecular, sequence and biochemical data using appropriate bioinformatic and statistical tools and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the associated experimental techniques. develop an appreciation of the multi-disciplinary nature of biotechnology, and to enhance students' understanding of how combinatorial approaches are used in the biotechnology industry and in biotechnological research. develop the biotechnological, molecular and bioinformatics skills necessary for a career in biotechnology or a biotechnology-related discipline. enable students to plan and conduct a research programme in the development or application of a biotechnological discipline. develop a range of transferable skills including information retrieval, evaluation and synthesis, numeracy, ITC skills, presentation skills, effective working with others, complex problem solving, self-evaluation and reflection, and independent learning ability.
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in Biotechnology provides basic and advanced knowledge, plus hands-on experience, in modern biotechnology and practical insights into current commercial applications. It creates access to a broad range of career opportunities in this rapidly growing key technology of the twenty-first century.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
CANCER BIOLOGY
Core: GENE AND PROTEIN TECHNOLOGY
Core: POST-GENOMIC TECHNOLOGIES AND BIOINFORMATICS
Core: RESEARCH PROJECT AND DISSERTATION: MSC BIOTECHNOLOGY
ENZYMOLOGY 2
INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY: ENZYMES, BIOCHEMICALS AND BIOMATERIALS
MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
MOLECULAR MEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
MOLECULAR VIROLOGY
PLANT AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : The role of biotechnology in health care, industry, food production and environmental management
A2 : A comprehensive, systematic knowledge and understanding of selected biotechnological applications
A3 : Fundamental and advanced molecular technologies including genomics, and post-genomic methodologies and their application in biotechnology
A4 : The importance of bioinformatics in molecular biology and in biotechnology as a whole.
A5 : Key regulatory, ethical and socio-economic issues that are of central importance in biotechnology
A6 : Research-based knowledge and research methods in a specific subject area related to biotechnology
Teaching Methods
A1 and A5 are developed through lectures, seminars and coursework.
A3 and A4 are also developed through practicals.
A6 is developed through lectures and the research project.
Assessment Methods
A1 and A5 are assessed through coursework.
A3-A4 are assessed through examination, practicals and coursework.
A6 is assessed through the research project dissertation, and oral and poster presentations.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Systematically retrieve, select and integrate a variety of advanced biotechnological, and molecular information.
B2 : Critically evaluate the relative strengths (and weaknesses) of a range of molecular and bioinformatics methods
B3 : Analyse a given problem and propose the most appropriate biotechnological approaches and tools for its solution
B4 : Analyse and interpret quantitative information such as molecular data, graphs, figures, tables and apply appropriate statistical tests
B5 : Integrate and link information across course components from different disciplines
B6 : Review a research topic and plan and conduct a research project
Teaching Methods
B1 and B3 are taught and developed through lectures, practicals and the research project.
B2 and B5 are taught through lectures and practicals, and developed through directed learning, coursework and the research project.
B4 is taught through lectures, problem sheets and practicals, and developed during the research project.
B6 is developed during the research project and its associated training seminars.
Assessment Methods
B1 is assessed through coursework, and the reseach project.
B2 - B4 are assessed through coursework, practicals, examinations and the research project.
B5 is assessed in coursework, practicals, examinations and the research project.
B6 is assessed through the research project.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Design, plan and carry out appropriate experiments in the laboratory effectively, working within curent technical, regulatory, safety and ethical frameworks.
C2 : Combine, apply and develop appropriate up-to-date biological methodologies (including molecular techniques) to address biotechnological questions
C3 : Describe and explain the principles and limitations of a range of current molecular and analytical methodologies
C4 : Work as a member of a team, contributing to the planning and competent performance of biotechnological research.
Teaching Methods
C1 is taught through practicals and developed through the research project and the associated training seminars.
C2 and C3 are taught and developed through lectures, practicals and the research project.
C4 is developed during practicals and via the research project.
Assessment Methods
C1 and C2 are assessed through practicals, the research project and the associated training seminars.
C3 is assessed through practical-associated coursework and by examination.
C4 is assessed through coursework.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : (i) Write clear, concise structured reports, including graphical material, describing complex and original material and give oral and poster presentations to specialist and non-specialist audiences. (ii) Give a clear, effective and informative oral explanation of coursework.
D2 : (i) Use current networked PC operating systems for normal file management, (ii) Use current common word-processing, spreadsheet, web browsing and email packages, (iii) Able to locate and use on-line catalogues, databases and appropriate software packages.
D3 : (i) Apply appropriate advanced statistical and quantitative methods to analyse data (ii) Describe other advanced quantitative methods used in biotechnology.
D4 : Explore, analyse and find effective solutions for problems involving reasonably complex information
D5 : Work effectively as part of a team to collect data and/or to produce reports and presentations
D6 : Study independently, set realistic targets, plan work and time to meet targets within deadlines and evaluate and reflect on own performance.
Teaching Methods
D1 is developed through coursework, the research project, and associated training including a biotechnology conference organised by the students.
D2 (i-iii) are taught and developed through practicals, coursework and the research project.
D2(iii) is taught explicitly through lectures, practicals and coursework.
D3 (i) and (ii) are taught explicitly through lectures and reinforced through data analysis exercises and practicals.
D4 is developed through practicals, coursework and the research project.
D5 is developed through practicals and through the organisation of a Biotechnology conference.
D6 is developed through directed learning tasks, rigid deadlines and feedback on assignments.
Assessment Methods
D1 (i and ii) are assessed through coursework, the research project and the generic skills module.
D2 is assessed through practicals, coursework, the research project and through the generic skills module.
D3 is assessed through practicals, problem sheets, coursework and examination.
D4 is assessed in practicals, in the research project and by examination.
D5 is assessed via organization of the biotechnology conference.
D6 is assessed indirectly, by imposing strict deadlines for assignments and by awarding marks for evidence of extra reading/going beyond lecture material in coursework, examinations and the research project.
