MSc Molecular Biotechnology with Placement Year

About the course

Intended for graduates of the biological and biosciences, this course will provide you with specialist knowledge of molecular biology and biotechnology. This exciting and fast-moving area of bioscience is having an enormous impact on biotechnology. Analysis and manipulation of genes and genomes have provided the foundation for the development of new diagnostic methods, biological drugs and improved enzymes and proteins. New vaccines, synthetic antibodies and improved crops have also benefitted from advances in molecular biotechnology.

Why choose this course?

• You’ll be taught by expert university lecturers and researchers, many having extensive research experience in academic, pharmaceutical, industrial and biotechnology sectors
• Benefit from innovative guest lectures, delivered by leading researchers in the biotechnology industry
• Immerse yourself in our modern Science Building. We offer exceptional facilities for you to practice the latest techniques in QPCR and genome editing and molecular cloning. Use our laboratories for DNA analysis, genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics.
• Upon graduation, you will be equipped to gain employment in a wide range of roles in the biotechnology industry or further postgraduate study in the bioscience field
• We adopt a blended learning approach to teaching, focussing on problem-based scenarios so you can develop strong critical analysis skills. You’ll have substantial exposure to practical techniques and guaranteed laboratory-based research projects
• If you are successful, you will have the opportunity to conduct a 12-month placement. If you are not succesful, you will be able to transfer to the MSc Molecular Biotechnology with Advanced Research route.

What will I study?

During the course you'll gain a thorough understanding of key fields of molecular biology, genetics, cell biology and protein addition, the latest techniques of recombinant DNA technology, protein analysis, genomics and bioinformatics will also be introduced. You will also have the opportunity to study the latest plant and animal genome sequencing projects, gene editing technology, next generation DNA sequencing, high throughput analysis and bioinformatic data analysis. Applied molecular technologies for improvements in plant and animal systems will also be covered and will involve study of exciting new areas such as metabolic engineering and surface display systems.

The course has a strong practical basis giving you training in research methods and hands-on experience of laboratory and bioinformatics techniques such as gene knockout methods and next generation sequencing analysis. There are excellent facilities for biomolecular analysis, including cell culture, DNA and protein manipulation and you will have access to the latest equipment for PCR, qPCR and 2D protein gel analysis systems for use in laboratory practicals and during projects.