Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Taught)

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is a rapidly expanding field focusing on the development and production of biopharmaceuticals that could lead to cures for many major diseases.

It provides insight into how researchers may select and use appropriate protein expression systems for the large-scale, to mass production of a protein, that would ultimately lead to its complete characterisation before it is applied to humans.

Globally, pharmaceutical biotechnology courses are rare and no other course offers such a broad scope where, as well as theory, you’ll be able to develop your skills with a key focus on practical content, studying pre-clinical studies, clinic and marketing that will help prepare you for a diverse career in either industry or academia.

You will study an interdisciplinary subject that is based on the teaching and research expertise of our experienced practitioners and research-active staff. Our research is driven by societal strategic priorities and fully aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Areas of expertise include Pharmaceutical Technologies and Nanomedicine, Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Infectious Disease research.

This course has been designed to give you a competitive advantage in gaining employment in any biopharmaceutical field in the world. This includes large global biopharmaceutical companies, small-to-medium biotechnology companies, academic institutions or research institutions allied to human health.

Applications can be made using the postgraduate application form, or using the online portal. Please send any queries to admissions@dmu.ac.uk.

“I came to DMU because the facilities here are excellent and it offered me the opportunity to learn about these therapies and will help me achieve my dream of developing new technologies and innovations that could influence governmental regulations and healthcare systems back home. ”

T Karikari, PhD student

“The course was designed in such way that it is suitable not only for fresh undergraduates but also experienced working people like me. All laboratories were equipped with latest equipment which enables students to learn and apply new technology in field of biopharmaceuticals.  I would definitely choose DMU again because of the dedicated lecturers”

I Krishnan, Biotech Manager

Key features

• Our reputation of more than 100 years’ pharmacy teaching ensures we produce graduates of the highest calibre.

• Develop your professional skills in specialist laboratories, using technology and equipment aligned to that used in industry. This includes FACS analysis, confocal microscope, electron microscope, mass spectrometer, fermentation units and tissue culture suites.

• International and UK students have benefited from this established course and progressed to PhD study and global relevant employment in the biotech sector.

• Study a range of specialist modules allowing you to receive up-to-date subject matter on multiple protein expression systems.

• You will focus on the business and intellectual property aspects that are interwoven with biotechnological innovation and entrepreneurship to enable career progression.

• Many of our graduates have progressed on to study for PhDs or work in roles in the biotech sector in both the UK and overseas.

• Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

Modules

• Block one: Cellular and Molecular systems for Biotechnology (30 credits) – This module is designed to provide students with an ability to effectively apply and demonstrate advanced and comprehensive knowledge of current developments in areas of pharmaceutical biotechnology. Students will focus on the basic cellular building blocks and their utilisation to produce active biopharmaceuticals and the associated challenges of implementing this, provides practical skills and theoretical considerations covering cell culture, gene isolation and protein expression.

• Block two: Bioinformatics and Bioanalysis (30 credits) – This module aims to introduce students to bioinformatics and bioanalytical techniques and to enable them to appreciate the impact knowledge gained through these approaches has on target identification and drug development, providing an understanding of research tools and methodologies used in molecular investigations as well as the basic theory and employment of bioinformatics.

• Block three: Biopharmaceuticals & Biotechnology (30 credits) – This module offers an in-depth exploration of nucleic acid-based therapeutic strategies, targeted therapies, for example for cancer and immune system targeting, and the intricate process of developing, producing, and delivering biopharmaceuticals.

• Block four: Research & Innovation (30 credits) – This module is designed to complete the concept-to-consumer arc of knowledge underlying the overall programme. The product development process for both pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products, including regulatory requirements, marketing and management aspects of the industry. It also aims to provide a guide to the key theories about enterprise and innovation, looking at their relationship to small businesses and to consider the methods that are taken to promote and finance them.

• Block five and six: Research Dissertation (60 credits) - The module will provide each student with the opportunity to conduct an independent research project in a topic aligned to Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. It will build on the students' knowledge of research methods and concepts.

https://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduate-courses/pharmaceutical-biotechnology-mscpg-dippg-cert/pharmaceutical-biotechnology.aspx

You will be expected to participate in an extensive programme of learning that will require full commitment and focus throughout your study.

The learning environment for the first four blocks of teaching will be varied with lectures, tutorials, laboratories and computer laboratories. You can expect to spend about half of your directed study time working at the bench in our research laboratories. In the fifth and sixth blocks of teaching, the learning venue will depend on your dissertation topic and will be aimed at guided self-study.

The quality of our teaching offers a varied selection of teaching methods to suit all learning requirements.