MSc Biotechnology

Program Overview

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How can biological processes and organisms be used in the development of new technologies? Biotechnology enables us to improve practices in diverse fields including genetics, agriculture, bioremediation, immunology, diagnostics, energy production, and age-assisted living. Our course provides you with knowledge, understanding and hands-on experience in modern biotechnology, and with practical insights into current commercial applications. It creates access to a broad range of career opportunities in this rapidly growing key technology. You will learn about and appraise the approaches that can be used to address the challenges facing our planet, including:

• The 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

The course has a very high proportion of practical work that provides valuable experience for your career. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. Therefore to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible, your module structure may be subject to change. Your research project will immerse you in a research environment, allowing you to conduct your research alongside our expert academics and PhD students in shared labs. Visit our biochemistry subject page for more information and content. Why we're great.

• Gain extensive employability skills to compete in the UK and international marketplace.
• Network with the technology and pharmaceutical industries, as well as other employers.
• Work with internationally recognised researchers who are at the cutting-edge of their fields.

Our expert staff

As one of the largest schools at our University, we offer a lively, friendly and supportive environment with research-led study and high quality teaching. You benefit from our academics’ wide range of expertise and research on important national and international problems using cutting-edge techniques. The University of Essex has a Women's Network to support female staff and students, and our School was awarded the Athena Swan Silver Award in October 2020, which reflects the work carried out by staff in our School to continue to improve equality, including a mentorship scheme, support for postdoctoral research staff, and financial help towards childcare costs for academics who wish to attend conferences.

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Specialist facilities

Recent investment has provided modern facilities for functional genomics, computational biology, and imaging biological systems. On our course you have the opportunity to:

• Work in an open and friendly department, with shared staff-student social spaces
• Conduct your research alongside leading academics and PhD students in shared labs
• Learn to use state-of-the-art equipment

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Your future

Our graduates are well placed to find a career in the ever-growing bio-based economy, and 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 of our Masters students progress to study for their PhD, and we offer numerous studentships to support our students in their studies. We work with the University’s Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities. “I chose to study MSc Biotechnology at Essex because of its outstanding academic staff, modern facilities, worldwide community, and the environment of equality. It definitely helped me to improve both professionally and personally, and broadened my horizon. What I enjoyed most was working on the research project. Along with hard work and learning substantial skills, I made many friends. Microbial biotechnology is my passion and I dream to use the knowledge I acquired to contribute to the development of Peru, my home country.” Pamela Canales Mormontoy, MSc Biotechnology, 2016

Program Outline

Course structure

All of the modules listed below provide an example of what is on offer from the current academic year. Our Programme Specification provides further details of the course structure for the current academic year. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 1 Your Research Project is the most substantial piece of work you will complete as part of your degree. A chance to focus on one chosen topic in depth, you develop skills in experimental design, problem solving and the analysis and interpretation of data. You are also expected to effectively articulate your ideas and findings, enhancing vital skills in presentation and communication. View Research Project: MSc Biotechnology on our Module Directory Explore the features and properties of proteins, and examine how they are related to function, as well as their wider role within important biological processes. Getting hands-on, you produce, isolate, purify and characterise proteins with biotechnological potential, as well gaining valuable experience in obtaining and analysing proteomic data. View Protein Technologies and Proteomics on our Module Directory The development of techniques to manipulate and analyse nucleic acids has revolutionised the study of biology, and provided the key driver for massive expansion in biotechnology. You explore the major tools used in gene technology and gain a practical understanding of how they are used, as well as the molecular techniques that can be used to explore biological questions. Gain an understanding of the impact of gene technology and synthetic biology and explore the applications of genome scale methods for studying gene expression in biotechnology and molecular medicine. View Gene Technology and Synthetic Biology on our Module Directory The sequencing of the human genome is one of the biggest achievements of this century. Nowadays, genomics is leading to major advances in biotechnology and molecular medicine, such as enhanced diagnostic tools, better vaccines, improved treatments for disease, and better detection of pollutants. In this module, you gain an understanding of current genomics approaches, including genome sequencing and comparative genomics. You also learn how to study your own genomic data, using state-of-the-art computational resources. View Genomics on our Module Directory Gain invaluable insight into the functioning of the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical industries, investigate some of the most timely and contentious topics in Biotechnology, and develop transferable professional and research skills to enhance your chances of securing employment in the field. View Professional Skills and the Business of Biosciences on our Module Directory In recent years, a drive toward sustainable development has led to a green revolution in chemistry. Renewable raw materials, and even waste products, can be worked by microorganisms to create useful products ranging from fuels to food supplements, reducing reliance on non-sustainable, petroleum-based products. In this module you explore the advantages and disadvantages of biological vs traditional chemical processes, learn about the fundamental mechanisms that underpin industrial biotechnology, consider the importance of biological diversity, and gain an understanding of the main applications of biotechnology in industry, focusing on novel technologies. View Industrial Biotechnology on our Module Directory

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Teaching

• We teach using a combination of lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, seminars, fieldwork, independent reading and research projects

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Assessment

• Our modules are assessed by a combination of exams, essays, presentations and written reviews

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Dissertation

• Undertake detailed research of the relevant scientific literature
• Carry out novel laboratory and/or bioinformatic research in one of our academic laboratories or (subject to approval) in an industrial or hospital setting