Program Overview

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MSc Biotechnology

The MSc Biotechnology course at the University of Essex is designed to provide students with knowledge, understanding, and hands-on experience in modern biotechnology, as well as practical insights into current commercial applications. The course is based in the School of Life Sciences and has a high proportion of practical work, providing valuable experience for careers in this rapidly growing field.

Overview

• The course starts in October or January and is available for full-time study.
• The duration of the course is 1 year.
• The location of the course is the Colchester Campus.
• The course is based in the School of Life Sciences.

Course Details

The course enables students to improve practices in diverse fields, including genetics, agriculture, bioremediation, immunology, diagnostics, energy production, and age-assisted living. Students learn about and appraise approaches to address challenges facing the planet, including:

• Development of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and crops to support and feed the growing human population
• Industrial, plant, and medical biotechnology
• Gene and protein technology
• Synthetic biology
• Bioinformatics

Our Expert Staff

The School of Life Sciences offers a lively, friendly, and supportive environment with research-led study and high-quality teaching. Students benefit from academics' wide range of expertise and research on important national and international problems using cutting-edge techniques.

Specialist Facilities

Recent investment has provided modern facilities for functional genomics, computational biology, and imaging biological systems. Students work in an open and friendly department with shared staff-student social spaces, conduct research alongside leading academics and PhD students in shared labs, and learn to use state-of-the-art equipment.

Your Future

Graduates are well-placed to find careers in the ever-growing bio-based economy. Postgraduate study is often a requirement for becoming a researcher, scientist, academic journal editor, and to work in some public bodies or private companies. Many Masters students progress to study for their PhD, and numerous studentships are available to support studies.

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• A degree with an overall 2.2 or equivalent in a subject relevant to Molecular Medicine, such as Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science(s), Biotechnology, Chemistry, Genetics, Pharmacology, Medicine, Physical Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, IT Disciplines.
• The degree must contain at least three components/modules on the area of Biochemistry, Calculus, Drug Design, Immunology, Maths, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Molecular structure and bonding, Organic/Inorganic Chemistry, Physiology, Software packages (R, MatLab Gaussian, PyMol), Spectroscopy, Thermodynamics, and Virology.

International & EU Entry Requirements

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Applicants should contact the University with questions about qualifications.

Structure

Course Structure

The course has a research-led teaching approach that is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is reviewed annually to ensure it remains up-to-date.

Components and Modules

• Core: Students must take the set module for this component and must pass.
• Core with Options: Students can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but must pass.
• Compulsory: Students must take the set module for this component.
• Compulsory with Options: Students can choose which module to study from the available options for this component.
• Optional: Students can choose which module to study from the available options for this component.

Year 1

• COMPONENT 01: CORE - Research Project: MSc Biotechnology (60 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: CORE - Advanced Research Skills (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY - Protein Technologies and Proteomics (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY - Gene Technology and Synthetic Biology (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY - Genomics (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY - Professional Skills and the Business of Biosciences (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS - BS937-7-AU or BS323-7-AU (15 credits)

Teaching

The course is taught using a combination of lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, seminars, fieldwork, independent reading, and research projects. Postgraduate Taught students in the School of Life Sciences typically attend ten hours of workshops, lectures, seminars, and practicals every week.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a combination of exams, essays, presentations, and written reviews.

Dissertation

Students undertake detailed research of the relevant scientific literature and carry out novel laboratory and/or bioinformatic research in one of the academic laboratories or, subject to approval, an industrial or hospital setting.

Fees and Funding

Home/UK Fee

• ｣11,025

International Fee

• ｣23,875

Scholarships and Financial Support

There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of the course.

What's Next

The University holds Open Days for all applicants throughout the year, providing an opportunity to tour the campus and accommodation, find out more about the courses, and meet students and staff. Individual campus tours can be arranged for those who cannot attend the organized events.