BIOTECHNOLOGY at University of West of Scotland

OVERVIEW

This MSc Biotechnology equips you for a career in the biotechnology/life science profession or enables you to progress to PhD study. The MSc is career-focused and will develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of theoretical and practical skills relevant to the biotechnology industry; advance your understanding of the industry; and grow your research skills.

Practical learning

Work-related learning and an appreciation of the biotechnology industry is embedded throughout the MSc and you will develop practical laboratory skills in areas such as molecular biology, microbiology and bioanalysis.

For those successfully completing the MSc Biotechnology, there is the option to undertake a professional practice placement (biotechnology/life sciences) at the end of their studies. Please note though that this will extend the duration of the course typically by an additional three months. However, you will exit with the degree MSc Biotechnology (Professional Practice).

The practical nature of the course means that graduates will readily find employment within the life science industry in the UK or abroad; alternatively many continue their studies to PhD level at home or internationally.

COURSE DETAILS

MSc Biotechnology offers current theory and practical skills in a range of relevant techniques including microbiology, immunology, and cell culture. It is delivered in three stages containing a mixture of theory and practice core modules. There are 60 credits of modules delivered in both stages 1 and 2 (these two stages constitute the Postgraduate Diploma - PgDip) with stage 3 consisting of a 60-credit experimental research project module.

For the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) stage, you will study the following core modules:

• Interpersonal Skills & Change Management (core, 10 credits)
• Nucleic Acid & Protein Technology (core, 20 credits)
• Postgraduate Research Methods (core, 10 credits)
• Research Techniques in Biotechnology (core, 10 credits)
• Risk Management (core, 10 credits)
• Bioanalysis (core, 20 credits)
• Microbial Technology (core, 20 credits)
• Research & Commercialisation in Biotechnology (core, 20 credits)

Successful completion of the PgDip allows you to proceed to the master's module:

• MSc Biotechnology Research Project Dissertation (60 credits)

Successfully completing the dissertation results in the award of MSc Biotechnology.

For those students seeking to undertake the Professional Practice element they would undertake the following core module over one additional term following their MSc submissions

• Professional Practice (60 credits)