MSc in Biotechnology

Changing demographics and growing demand for food, fuel and agricultural and environmental sustainability are among the key challenges the world faces today.

In this Biotechnology MSc, you will:

• learn research and development skills to enable the creation of new products and services
• investigate the economic basis for current biotechnology structures and areas of future demand, including the global pharmaceutical industry and carbon sequestration
• learn how technology can be applied to solve pressing real-world biological problems
• gain the skills and expertise needed for future developments in biotechnology

Programme structure

This programme consists of two semesters of taught courses followed by a research project or industrial placement, leading to a dissertation.

The core taught courses cover the key areas of biotechnology and its future development, while a broad range of options is available to allow individual students to tailor their programme based on interests and career aims. The courses are taught by staff from across the University, as well as external experts and industry specialists.

Research and laboratory work

There will be a considerable practical element to the programme. You will work in a biotechnology laboratory and learn how experimental technology is designed and operated in the context of real-world biotechnological questions.

Industrial and field visits are an integral part of these courses.

Research project or industrial placement

Your dissertation can be based on a research laboratory-based project or an industrial placement.

You can work with employers in the thriving Scottish biotechnology sector in areas such as medical biotechnology, bioenergy or industrial processes.

During this programme, students are given the opportunity to:

• examine the key role of innovation in biotechnological industries
• understand how environmental samples can be collected and how to undertake analysis using molecular techniques
• use high-level research skills, practical industrial experience, experience in literature and data evaluation experiment planning and design
• demonstrate practical experimentation, data analysis, data recording, data interpretation skills
• explore the biological and technological principles which govern actual and potential bio-business
• develop strong skills in scientific writing through a diverse selection of in course assessments

The programme will open up a wide variety of career opportunities, Including:

• further study at PhD level
• industrial research and development
• manufacturing and quality control
• entrepreneurship and business development