Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 15/11/2020
College College Life and Env Sci
School School of Bioscience
Department School of Biosciences
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title M.Sc. (Taught) Molecular Biotechnology Full-time
Programme Code 8349
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 1 Year(s)
Accreditations This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme The programme aims to provide students with training and learning opportunities in the skills and specialised knowledge needed to equip them for a career in biotechnology, molecular biotechnology or molecular biology, in particular in industry. This will be achieved by a mix of modules focussing on skills or the relevant knowledge base. The skills covered will including written and oral presentation skills, statistics and the ability to plan and write a grant application or a business plan. The knowledge base is focussed on the key techniques used in molecular biotechnology and includes specialist training in theoretical and practical aspects of the subject: this includes aspects of process engineering, molecular biology, functional genomics, 'omics' technologies, protein expression systems and antibody engineering. A further aim is to teach students a range of practical skills including sessions on fermentation, molecular biology, immunology, cell biology and protein chemistry. Students will also undertake a major, supervised lab- or computer-based project that will enhance their practical, computing, writing and other communication skills. Overall the aim is to equip students with a theoretical and practical background to apply their knowledge to biotechnology problems.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
The fundamental principles of molecular biotechnology, including molecular biology, microbiology, cell culture, functional genomics, protein expression, immunology and antibody engineering, fermentation
Research methodology and practical approaches to aspects of molecular biotechnology
Statistical analysis and its applications
How to carry out an extensive piece of research, either lab-based or computer-based, including: how to define a research problem, how to choose appropriate methods, how to plan and carry out the study
How to incorporate specific scientific ideas into a coherent plan for a research programme in molecular biotechnology
1 and 3: Lectures, workshops, tutorials, practical classes;

2: Lectures, workshops, tutorials, practical classes, extended research project;

4: Extended research project;

5: Lectures, workshops
1: A combination of written sessional examinations, written reports, essays, practical reports;

2: Written reports, essays research project report;

3: In-course tests;

4: Written report and oral presentation (computer-based material as appropriate);

5: Grant application or Business plan
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
To be able to communicate effectively with scientists and non-scientists in writing and verbally
Use of IT to obtain information, statistical analysis and data analysis
Ability to formulate and assemble a grant application or a business plan
Practical skills in molecular biology, fermentation and other molecular and cell biology techniques
Ability to retrieve and organise primary source material, subjecting it to critical evaluation and to write a review based on this information
Ability to plan and carry out an independant research project from initiation through to presentation
This information is to be supplied This information is to be supplied