Biotechnology – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Course length

Full-time: MSc: 12 months, PGDip: 8 months
Part-time: MSc: 24 months, PGDip: 20 months

Biotechnology is a master’s course designed to develop skilled bio-scientists to meet the challenges and requirements of the global bioscience sector. You will achieve an MSc degree on successful completion of all the course modules including the Research Project. A postgraduate diploma will be awarded for completion of course modules without the Research Project. The course is also offered on a part-time, pro-rata basis with considerable flexibility and we encourage applications from professionals from academia and industry who wish to upgrade their qualifications.

Teaching focuses on the molecular technologies that enable the study of living cells. You will learn the techniques underpinning biotechnology, such as molecular biology, to an advanced level and how products are developed. You will gain expertise in gene regulation and expression, protein expression and learn to grow and exploit different cell types, including bacteria, insect, plant and animal. Because the entire genomes of many model organisms have been sequenced, you will learn about bioinformatics and systems biology, two very new and exciting types of biological research that, for example, enable imaging gene arrays to study large subsets of expressed genes at one time.

Finally, an important module of the course will teach you about research methods and career development. The importance of this cannot be overstressed - we will teach you to be biotechnologists but recognise that you will need to take your skills to prospective employers once you graduate. You will learn how to organise and communicate your research to prospective employers and funding agencies. In Semester 2 you will choose a research project that matches your interests. Research projects are based around applied questions and can utilise combinations of the techniques presented throughout the course. Oxfordshire has a number of laboratories with different research specialisations, both in the academic institutions and in industrial settings, willing to host these projects. Those studying part-time whilst already working in the sector may conduct their project in the workplace.

MSc students are required to complete 180 M-level credits. PGDip students are required to complete 120 M-level credits, excluding the Research Project.

Course modules:

* Business for the Biosciences (20 M credits) - is designed to equip scientists with management, finance and business knowledge and skills. These, combined with an understanding of the bioscience business sector, are required to operate professionally within the sector, to take informed decisions and actions, and to develop a business plan. We examine the skills needed to launch a spin-off company.
* Molecular Biology (20 M credits) - will develop the core skills needed for molecular biology as it focuses on recombinant DNA technology. The history, principles and development of molecular biology techniques will be studied with discussion of variations and applications.
* Advanced Fluorescence Technology (20 M credits): confocal and fluorescence microscopy enables the study of cellular structure and function using fluorescence technologies. Fluorescently-tagged antibodies are used to study cell and tissue protein localisation in prepared tissues and fluorescent proteins are used in the study of living cells. Use of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its colour variants has increased from a curiosity to one of the most vital tools in cell biological research during the last 10 years and, as such, we will spend a significant portion of the module learning about it.
* Independent Study (20 M credits) - is individual work on an appropriate theoretical or practical topic or set of topics, which may include work-based activities.
* Product Development and Biotechnology (20 M credits) - discusses the development of the biological systems that are vital to biotechnology, and their key features. Drug discovery and product development, including modern screening methods, structure function prediction, and the application of nanobiotechnology, will be examined. The regulation of drug development, including clinical trials, preclinical studies and ethics, will also be studied.
* Career Development and Research Skills (20 M credits) - consists of seminars from industrialists on careers in biotechnology. Topics covered include research skills, management, presentation and communication, business and enterprise, and grant-writing strategies. For evaluation you will write and present a mock grant proposal to secure funding for a biotechnology-based project.
* Genome Science (20 M credits) develops an understanding of genome science, or genomics, and studies the structure, content and evolution of genomes. The genomes and genome projects of model representative organisms from mammals, fungi, insects, bacteria and viruses are studied and their unique features explored. The experimental techniques and evidence that have contributed to our developing understanding of genomes will be emphasised.
* Topics in Biotechnology (20 M credits) - is a series of blocks of lectures and seminars in specialist areas, of biotechnology delivered by leading researchers in these areas which include molecular microbiology and virology, vaccine development, and plant biotechnology.
* Research Project (60 M credits): you will design a research project to explore a new question in biotechnology, utilising the skills developed during this course. Tutors will help you plan the project so that it is both practical and topical. There are several labs in Oxford that are able to host this type of research project. Generally, the research you undertake will reflect the area of research in the lab you work with. Potential projects are in animal, plant, environmental and microbial biotechnology. You will develop a research plan and write a literature review in Semester 1, and conduct practical research over Semester 2 and the summer. The evaluation is based on a thesis-style write-up of your research.

Please note: as courses are reviewed regularly, the list of modules may vary from that shown here.