Program Overview

Applied Biotechnology MSc

Overview

Our Applied Biotechnology MSc includes a wide range of modern molecular biology techniques and explores how biotechnology can be used by today's society. It is an established course in biotechnology which has been extensively updated. You'll complement your theoretical studies with hands-on experience of fully controlled fermenters that are up to pilot-plant scale, and are linked to modern monitoring and control systems.

Course Structure

To be awarded the MSc in Applied Biotechnology, you'll need to study modules for 180 credits. If you choose to take the Postgraduate Project, you'll study seven core modules and one option module.

Core Modules

• Molecular Bioengineering: Large databases yield information about DNA, RNA and protein variation between individuals and species and bioinformatics is a crucial component of molecular biology. Polymorphisms, epigenetics and microRNA have all greatly enhanced our knowledge about regulation of gene expression. This module will look at applications of a range of advanced molecular techniques such as CRISPR gene editing, next generation sequencing, microarrays, quantitative and multiplex PCR alongside our knowledge of OMICS and gene expression databases.
• Fermentation Technology: This module integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills, enabling students to develop a comprehensive proficiency in fermentation technology. Key topics include culture media, microbial strain/culture selection and development, microbial/animal cell culture, sterilisation, modes and types of fermentation, oxygen requirement for culture, fermentation control systems, mixing, rheology, fermenter types and designs, and scale-up/down.
• Sustainable Biotechnology: The module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices that underpin the integration of biotechnology with sustainability goals. You will explore how biotechnology can contribute to environmentally-friendly and socially responsible solutions, addressing challenges such as resource depletion and climate change.
• Postgraduate Research Methods: The purpose of this module is to teach the principles and practice of research with a focus on study design and methods of data collection. The module shows how these designs and methods can be applied to evaluation studies as well as to research.
• Postgraduate Project: This module allows you to hone your research skills by undertaking a substantial piece of research. Within this module, you will learn how to formulate a research proposal, investigate an appropriate research topic, keep research records, analyse the results of their research, discuss the findings with reference to previously published work, and convey the importance of their research through effective communication.
• Science, Technology And Commercialisation: An in-depth study on the scope of commercial biotechnology and starting and financing an operational company. The role of intellectual property protection, preparing a business plan and communicating business ideas, assessing projects, managing a company, and managing finances are all included, as well as how to comply with industrial safety legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Bioinformatics: Bioinformatics lies at the heart of modern biology. This module introduces the discipline and shows how bioinformatics can help answer practical questions and solve problems in biology, medicine and pharmacology.

Option Modules

• Communicating Science: This module will explore topics in science communication and will help to develop transferable skills and perspectives in the many ways that scientific knowledge can be disseminated.
• Systems Biology: This module will introduce the theoretical and practical underpinnings of systems biology. The emphasis is on studies of entire systems assisted by the use of bioinformatics and how the knowledge from these may be applied to medicine.
• Analytical Techniques and Quality Processes: This industry-focused module will allow you to learn and apply an integrated knowledge base of analytical techniques utilised in the pharmaceutical industry for the quality control of drugs and other products.
• Biotherapeutics and Regenerative Medicines: This module will provide you with a deep understanding of biotherapeutics and regenerative medicines which is one of the fastest growing areas in the pharmaceutical industry.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in biological sciences or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification of equivalent status and associated work experience or an equivalent qualification deemed suitable by the course team.
• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £10,700 (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: £17,600 (Price per academic year)

Facilities

• A fermentation suite equipped with fully instrumented and controlled bioreactors of all sizes ranging from 0.5 L to 72 L and bench top downstream processing rigs including Armfield’s chromatography and tangential flow filtration units.
• A tissue culture laboratory.
• An analytical instrumentation suite equipped with gas chromatographs with FID, TCD and MS detectors, HPLC equipped with UV, PDA, MSQ, fluorescence, evaporative light scattering and electrochemical detectors, spectrophotometers (absorbance and luminescence), multi-detection microplate reader, bio-imaging system, gamma and scintillation counters, Typhoon gel imager, clinical chemistry and Haematology analysers, FTIR analyser, Potentiostat, DGGE analyser.
• A flow cytometer, PCR machines, microscopes of all types including inverted microscopes, laser scanning confocal microscopes, fluorescence microscope etc.
• Other equipment normally found in any lab including shaken incubators, bench top centrifuges, pH meters, freezers and biosafety cabinets.

Research Groups

• Cancer Research Group
• Sustainable Biotechnology Research Group
• Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into three broad categories: written exams, practical, and coursework.

Location

• Our Cavendish Campus is located in central London, just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.