Biotechnology (with optional Placement/Project year) MSc

1. Introduction to bioscientific research: types of research (descriptive, analytical & experimental), including pure versus applied ways of problem solving. The building blocks of scientific research: scientific language (hypothesis, concepts, operational definitions, and dependent/independent variables); sampling procedures; and measurement issues (reliability and validity). How research is funded.
2. Research and data collection methods with an emphasis on experimental research (developing hypotheses, variables, controls, sample selection, design, validity).
3. In vitro and in vivo models in bioscientific research, clinical research and ethical considerations.
4. The nature of the knowledge base and how research is communicated- systematic reviews, literature reviews, original research papers and bioinformatic databases. Scientific conferences. Journal clubs including how to set up and participate in these.
5. Advanced literature searching.
6. Critical appraisal of literature - primary and secondary literature
7. Developing a research problem: identifying a topic area, devising specific questions, discovering what is already known (reviewing the literature), identifying gaps in knowledge, determining feasible ways to answer the questions.
8. Data analysis for research including: i. descriptive statistics - measures of central tendency, dispersion and skewness, and correlation; and, ii. inferential statistics – hypothesis tests (parametric and non-parametric), confidence intervals and regression analysis.

The module aims to provide students with an overview of the essential elements of sound bioscientific research and a graduate level introduction to data analysis and statistical analysis in particular. A key aim is to equip students with the skills required to source and critically analyse the bioscientific knowledge base. The module also aims to prepare students for their second ‘Essential methods’ module and for the planning and successful completion of the Research Dissertation module.

1. Introduction to bioscientific research: types of research (descriptive, analytical & experimental), including pure versus applied ways of problem solving. The building blocks of scientific research: scientific language (hypothesis, concepts, operational definitions, and dependent/independent variables); sampling procedures; and measurement issues (reliability and validity). How research is funded.
2. Research and data collection methods with an emphasis on experimental research (developing hypotheses, variables, controls, sample selection, design, validity).
3. In vitro and in vivo models in bioscientific research, clinical research and ethical considerations.
4. The nature of the knowledge base and how research is communicated- systematic reviews, literature reviews, original research papers and bioinformatic databases. Scientific conferences. Journal clubs including how to set up and participate in these.
5. Advanced literature searching.
6. Critical appraisal of literature - primary and secondary literature
7. Developing a research problem: identifying a topic area, devising specific questions, discovering what is already known (reviewing the literature), identifying gaps in knowledge, determining feasible ways to answer the questions.
8. Data analysis for research including: i. descriptive statistics - measures of central tendency, dispersion and skewness, and correlation; and, ii. inferential statistics – hypothesis tests (parametric and non-parametric), confidence intervals and regression analysis.

The module aims to provide students with an overview of the essential elements of sound bioscientific research and a graduate level introduction to data analysis and statistical analysis in particular. A key aim is to equip students with the skills required to source and critically analyse the bioscientific knowledge base. The module also aims to prepare students for their second ‘Essential methods’ module and for the planning and successful completion of the Research Dissertation module.

1. Introduction to the cell/tissue culture and molecular biology laboratories, including safety and regulatory issues.

2. Microbial cell culture – principles and practice.

3. Mammalian cell culture – principles and practice.

4. Recombinant DNA technology, next generation sequencing and quantitative PCR analysis.

5. Protein analysis – electrophoresis and Western blotting; immunocytochemistry.

6. Statistical analysis in practice.

7. Extended practical - analysis of gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels in human cell lines.

The module aims to develop students’ technical skills in key areas of molecular and cell biology that are central to current biotechnological research, and to promote their understanding of recent technological advances in these fields. It further aims to develop their skills in the handling, analysis and interpretation of data.

1. Introduction to the cell/tissue culture and molecular biology laboratories, including safety and regulatory issues.

2. Microbial cell culture – principles and practice.

3. Mammalian cell culture – principles and practice.

4. Recombinant DNA technology, next generation sequencing and quantitative PCR analysis.

5. Protein analysis – electrophoresis and Western blotting; immunocytochemistry.

6. Statistical analysis in practice.

7. Extended practical - analysis of gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels in human cell lines.

The module aims to develop students’ technical skills in key areas of molecular and cell biology that are central to current biotechnological research, and to promote their understanding of recent technological advances in these fields. It further aims to develop their skills in the handling, analysis and interpretation of data.

Business for Biotechnology is an exciting and dynamic module that explores the essentials of developing and taking an idea to business start-up and running a biotechnology business.

1 - enterprise and entrepreneurship; the evaluation of a scientific idea for its business potential

2 - intellectual property/the patent system/legal aspects of the business of biotechnology

3 - ideas and stakeholders; exploring and seizing business opportunities

4 - developing business structures; keys roles, functions and objectives of a successful biotech business enterprise

5 - leadership and management approaches to innovation and business opportunities

6 - case studies presented by local "biotech" entrepreneurs who will outline their experiences of developing biotech start-up  businesses from the original idea, through planning to business start-up; 

The aim of the module is to introduce students to key approaches, skills and behaviours required to set-up and run a small-scale biotechnology business enterprise.

Insight into real world biotech business scenarios will be provided along with the key tools and processes required for both creating and developing a new start-up biotech business venture. 

Business for Biotechnology is an exciting and dynamic module that explores the essentials of developing and taking an idea to business start-up and running a biotechnology business.

1 - enterprise and entrepreneurship; the evaluation of a scientific idea for its business potential

2 - intellectual property/the patent system/legal aspects of the business of biotechnology

3 - ideas and stakeholders; exploring and seizing business opportunities

4 - developing business structures; keys roles, functions and objectives of a successful biotech business enterprise

5 - leadership and management approaches to innovation and business opportunities

6 - case studies presented by local "biotech" entrepreneurs who will outline their experiences of developing biotech start-up  businesses from the original idea, through planning to business start-up; 

The aim of the module is to introduce students to key approaches, skills and behaviours required to set-up and run a small-scale biotechnology business enterprise.

Insight into real world biotech business scenarios will be provided along with the key tools and processes required for both creating and developing a new start-up biotech business venture. 

On completion of taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. Their knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project in an area of relevance to their programme and which interests them. The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the module leader and the student will need to prepare a detailed research proposal for evaluation prior to embarking on the research proper.

1. To provide the student with an opportunity to conduct a research project of direct relevance to their programme of study and his/her personal interests.
2. To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in the biosciences field.
3. To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of a substantive research dissertation.

On completion of taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. Their knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project in an area of relevance to their programme and which interests them. The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the module leader and the student will need to prepare a detailed research proposal for evaluation prior to embarking on the research proper.

1. To provide the student with an opportunity to conduct a research project of direct relevance to their programme of study and his/her personal interests.
2. To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in the biosciences field.
3. To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of a substantive research dissertation.

1. The signalling and gene regulatory processes directing transition from single cell to cellular systems during development and organogenesis. Examples could include the nervous system, skeletal muscle, limbs and will be demonstrated using examples across vertebrate model systems (Xenopus laevis,Gallus gallus, Mus musculus, Homo sapiens).

2. Eukaryotic model organisms - applications in research and industry. Examples could include algae (Chlorella vulgaris), yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), nematode worms (Caenorhabditis elegans), and water fleas (Daphnia pulex).

3. Understanding microbial systems - microbes rarely operate in isolation. Instead, they form intricate, complex, and often highly diverse communities. Within these communities, the micro-organisms communicate, facilitating their own, and their community's success. Knowledge of how such networks are structured and function is essential if we are to be able to harness and utilise such communities for our benefit.

The module aims to equip students with a detailed understanding of how biological systems are organised across both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and the role gene regulatory networks play in this. A key focus will be to gain practical experience in methods by which researchers monitor and investigate novel aspects of these networks.

The production and use of genetically modified organisms
The drive towards personalised medicine and the development of targeted therapies
Gene therapy and gene editing (Zinc fingers, TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9) approaches, including ethical and regulatory considerations.
The harnessing of the natural capabilities of plants and microbes in biotechnology to benefit health and the environment.
Industrial and environmental biotechnological applications.
Molecular techniques in biotechnology.

This module aims to develop students' understanding of the key techniques and applications in biotechnology. Students will be introduced to the principles employed in a biotechnology laboratory as well as their field applications. The module will also equip students with a detailed understanding of current and emerging molecular therapies and issues surrounding their clinical translation.

A key focus in this module will be how advances in basic molecular biological research have been central to driving biotechnology.