Biotechnology Master's Degrees

The knowledge and hands-on technical experience acquired in our Industrial and Commercial Biotechnology MSc programme will enable you to understand how AI, synthetic and engineering biology are integrated with industrial processes to develop new technologies that have broad applications in areas including:

1. Industrial biotechnology: Using microorganisms and enzymes in the production of chemicals, biofuels, food ingredients and other consumer products. Providing solutions to produce these important molecules in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.
2. Environmental biotechnology: Developing solutions to clean up pollution, manage water and waste and monitor environmental health using biological processes.
3. Medicine discovery: Developing new drugs, vaccines and therapies to improve health and treat diseases.
4. Agriculture: Creating genetically modified plants and crops that are more resistant to diseases, pests, and environmental conditions. Improving crop yields and their nutritional value.

You will work with our expert academic staff and industrial partners, using our outstanding research, teaching and computational facilities to engage in student-centred learning and gain an understanding of:

• Applied computational biology: Using computational tools to analyse biological data and to design and simulate cellular systems.
• Engineering biology: Harnessing our understanding of the mechanisms of biological systems in cells, organisms and populations for industrial and economic benefit.
• Genome engineering and synthetic genomics: Designing and engineering microbial and plant genomes within the remit of ethical biotechnology.
• Industrial biotechnology: Translating research findings from the laboratory to pilot production scale.
• Innovation in bioscience: Analysing and validating sector-wide problems to generate testable solutions and application.

In our Biotechnology and Biodesign MRes programme you will develop your own Biotechnology project using Design Thinking approaches to address a problem in sustainable development and the circular economy. This unique research project will follow the model of an annual research funding round, where you will develop your project idea, pitch it and write a project proposal. You will carry out experimental work and present your results via an oral presentation and dissertation.

You will receive training in Design Thinking approaches from expert academic staff and develop an understanding of key topics in the field:

• Design thinking: Using the Design-Model-Build-Test-Learn cycle to develop a biotechnology solution to a problem in sustainable development.
• Applied computational biology: Using computational tools to analyse biological data and design and simulate cellular systems.
• Engineering biology: Harnessing our understanding of the mechanisms of biological systems in cells, organisms and populations for industrial and economic benefit.
• Industrial biotechnology: Translating research findings from the laboratory to pilot production scale.
• Innovation in bioscience: Analyse and validate sector-wide problems to generate testable solutions.
• Climate change and sustainability: Develop knowledge of climate change and systems-thinking approaches to develop climate solutions.

Through your learning and student-led research project you will develop sustainable biotechnology solutions to problems addressing UN sustainable development goals across sustainable agriculture and food production, energy security, waste management, clean water, and human health.