Biotechnology (Taught)

Help solve real world problems with advanced practical knowledge underpinning modern biotechnology and molecular genetic technologies. The aim of this programme is to train you in a broad range of topics including environmental biotechnology, synthetic biology, plant engineering, stem cell therapies and vaccine development.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• Gain a sound understanding of the nature of business based on bioscience knowledge and research, their opportunities for innovation and regulatory requirement constraints, intellectual property and ethical issues.

• Extensive laboratory-based teaching covering a wide range of practical skills in molecular biology, microbiology, synthetic biology, protein expression, protein purification and more.

• Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

• Learn to assess current literature, be encouraged to form opinions based on scientific merit, and implement these ideas in future research planning.

• Taught by experts in the field of Biotechnology who run active, internationally recognised, research groups here at Glasgow.

• Network within the industry through site visits, guest lectures and an 'Industrial Networking Symposium' where representatives from the European biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry discuss their companies and answer questions on working in the industrial sector.

• Receive hands-on experience of diverse biotechnological research skills with a strong laboratory component making up the programme throughout the year.

• Get valuable training through our flexible, independent, research project for students wishing to proceed to a PhD or into an industrial career. This may also be completed as a business-based project.

• Opportunities to carry out a 10-week lab-based research project in a research intensive university.

• Wide choice of research projects.

• Lectures in industrial and environmental microbiology, protein expression, synthetic biology, optogenetics, bioremediation and other applications of biotechnology.

• A choice of courses on plant biotechnology, omics technologies or bioimaging.

• Gain transferable skills in science writing and presentations; reading and interpeting the scientific literature; experimental design, data handling, data analysis, and reporting of results.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The programme is made up of teaching modules and an independent research project.

Each taught module explores different aspects of biotechnology, while the project allows you to specialise the degree through a chosen field of research.

Core Courses
Biotechnology Applications
Biotechnology Project
Industrial and Environmental Microbiology
Molecular Research Skills
Recombinant Protein Expression
Synthetic Biology: Concepts and Applications

Optional Courses
Bio-Imaging for Research Scientists
Omic analyses for the biomedical sciences: from genomics to metabolomic
Plant Biotechnology
Technology Transfer and Commercialisation of Bioscience Research

CAREER PROSPECTS
Enjoy excellent career opportunities in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industrial sectors.

Many of our students follow a career path in:

• Biomedical science

• Biotechnology

• Environmental management and agricultural sciences

• Food technology

• Pharmaceuticals

Other opportunities for biotechnologists also exist within:

• Conservation

• Forensic investigation

• Government positions

• Independent labs

• Medical research

• Scientific expert in media

• Teaching

Some job titles include:

• analytical development technologist

• fermentation technologist

• research and development scientist

Others have also progressed on to study PhDs across Europe in fields such as:

• biomedical engineering

• biophysics

• biotechnology

• molecular and cellular biology

• plant molecular biology