Graduate School

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MSc Biotechnology


Biotechnology Masters overview

Biotechnology is a fast-moving sector that requires highly trained individuals who are able to work innovatively across disciplines of biological sciences, engineering and chemistry. Our MSc Biotechnology is interdisciplinary and utilises modules from the Faculty of Engineering and the Centre for Molecular Nanoscience.

The programme integrates biological sciences with biochemical engineering to provide training for the modern biotechnology industry. In particular, it focuses on the applications of biotechnology in medicine and agriculture. The course begins with the technology underpinning the manufacture of pharmaceutical proteins, the structure of the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector and the way drugs interact with the body.

Students then move on to study two areas from the following three topic areas:

  • Tissue engineering with a focus on the 'functional' engineering of connective tissues,cardiac valves and epithelia
  • Bionanotechnology - the methodologies used including nano-scale manipulation of bio-molecules, single molecule imaging and fabrication of sensor devices and motors
  • Plant biotechnology including topics such as engineering of plants for the production of novel products, and development of stress tolerant crop varieties

This programme is suitable for students wishing to enter employment in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, as well as those wishing to progress to a higher research degree (PhD).

Why choose to study biotechnology at Leeds?

This course offers:   

  • exciting contemporary topics such tissue engineering, pharmaceutical engineering and bionanotechnology
  • teaching delivered by top researchers, many world-class experts, who bring the latest cutting-edge research to their teaching and therefore, to your learning
  • module leaders with experience of launching innovative biotechnology companies and consortia including:Tissue Regenix (Professor Ingham); ELISHA (Professor Millner) and Badrilla (Professor Colyer)
  • excellent career development opportunities with graduates moving into a wide range of exciting and challenging careers
  • training in generic research skills such as scientific writing, graphics and data presentation, bioethics, bioenterprise and intellectual property rights
  • the opportunity to combine theoretical disciplines with ‘hands-on’ practical laboratory skills
  • the chance to study in a Faculty ranked 4th in the UK for research in biological sciences by the leading scientific journal ‘Nature’ based on the numbers of staff producing research that was “world leading" or "internationally excellent"
  • opportunities to benefit from our strong employer connections supported by our employer engagement officer, including regular speakers from industry, government and scientific organisations.
  • a flexible approach to suit individual needs

Entry Requirements

Title

MSc Biotechnology

Qualification

Master of Science (MSc)

Duration

12 months full-time
2012 entry requirements Normally a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, but relevant experience may be taken into account . Chemistry to at least A level standard or equivalent is also required.
English language requirements If English is not your first language, please check our minimum English language requirements.
Start date September annually (one intake only)
Admissions policy Download the University taught postgraduate admissions policy

Admissions enquiries

Postgraduate Taught Admissions
Tel. +44 (0) 113 343 1418
Email: fbsgrad@leeds.ac.uk

Department

Faculty of Biological Sciences Graduate School

Programme leader

Dr Joanne Tipper
Biotechnology team profiles

Professor Eileen Ingham

Professor Paul Millner

Professor John Colyer

Dr Robert Hammond (Faculty of Engineering)

Meet the Bioscience team

Tissue Engineering

Biosensors

Bionanotechnology

Drugs products, processes & people
Course brochure

See Postgraduate Taught Degrees (Masters) brochure

Course Structure

The MSc Biotechnology specialism consists of core research training modules designed to equip students with the expertise necessary to work at the cutting-edge of a modern bioscience sector, including research planning exercises, methodologies underpinning contemporary bioscience, and an extended practical project providing hands on practical experience in recombinant DNA techniques. Added to this is an independent research project in an area of Biotechnology through which students receive substantial subject-specific training. Specialist biotechnology taught modules make up the remaining part of the programme.

Our teaching and assessment methods are designed to develop scientists who are able to think independently, solve problems, communicate effectively and demonstrate a high level of practical ability

The programme is full-time and lasts 12 months, with teaching activities broken down into three parts:

  • September-December (taught modules)
  • January-March (taught modules and research project proposal)
  • April-September (research project)

Students study a total of 180 credits worth of modules comprising of the following:

  • 55 credits of compulsory core research training modules
  • 85 credits of a compulsory research project
  • 40 credits of taught specialist biotechnology modules

Is the course mainly practical or theoretical?

The course combines theoretical modules with practical skills training. 100 credits out of the total 180 credits that you study will be practical based modules and therefore the programme will provide you with substantial training in practical methods and technologies currently being used to advance the biological sciences. This is through a 15 credit laboratory-based mini-project and an 85 credit laboratory-based independent research project on a cutting edge topic related to your course options.

How is work taught and examined?

We use a wide variety of teaching methods on our programmes, including project work, lectures, practicals, tutorials and workshops. The work is assessed mainly through continuous coursework submission and not formal exams.  We utilise a wide range of assessment types including problem solving, data analysis, oral and poster presentations and extended writing such as literature reviews, scientific papers and dissertations .

Are there different classes of degrees?

Degrees can be awarded with "Distinction" (for average programme scores that are 70% or above), "Merit" (for average programme scores between 60-69%) and "Pass" (for average programme scores between 50-59%).   


Compulsory Modules

Bioscience Core Skills 1 (Transferable)


This module introduces a range of generic skills that underpin successful achievement in a wide range of future career programmes. It covers three key areas; communication skills (written, oral, visual), personal effectiveness and continuing professional development (teamwork, bioethics and career planning) and commercial awareness and enterprise (enterprise, business finance, IPR and patents). This module is delivered through a series of formal lectures, interactive workshops and discussion groups. External lecturers from legal and commercial environments deliver some of these sessions, providing you with an opportunity to engage with situational contexts derived from real-life examples.

Credits: 10  

Bioscience Core Skills 2 (Scientific)

This module introduces scientific skills that underpin successful achievement in modern science environments. Components include experimental design, data interpretation, bioinformatics training and research planning exercises. This module is delivered by lectures, workshops and computer-based practical classes.

Semester: 2  Credits: 10  

Bioscience Core Skills 3 (Modern Bioscience Tools)


This module provides an overview of a range of modern techniques and methodologies that underpin contemporary biological sciences. These include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), site-directed mutagenesis and sequencing, protein expression, chromatographic techniques, x-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), bioimaging, microarrays, atomic force microscopy, proteomics, isolation and use of stem cells, phylogenetics and flow cytometry. The techniques lectures are complemented with demonstrations of a range of research facilities and there are data analysis tutorials linked to four of these sessions. In addition, students attend the Faculty research seminars which are delivered by internationally-renowned speakers and attend the annual Faculty PhD symposium.

Semester: 1  Credits: 20  

Bioscience Core Skills 4 (Practical Application)

This module is an extended practical investigation in the form of a mini laboratory based project. It provides practical training in a range of modern molecular biology techniques including gene cloning, PCR, mutagenesis, protein expression, protein purification and analysis. Students are trained not only in experimental work but also in maintaining detailed and accurate laboratory notebooks, and presentation of the results obtained in the form of a short research paper.

Semester: 1  Credits: 15  

Research Project Proposal and Research Project


The research component of the programme comprises approximately half of the degree programme and allows you to undertake a high quality experimental project on a topic related to your course options. This will be original, innovative work that is currently being undertaken in the Faculty and there may be opportunities for projects to be taken outside of the Faculty. You will be assigned a research project supervisor who will support and guide you through your project. In the case of students registered on the Bioinformatics and computational biology programme, the research project will be computer-based. For students registered on all other MSc Bioscience programmes, the research project will be laboratory-based. Overall, you will receive extensive training in experimental design, the practical use of advanced techniques and technologies, data analysis and interpretation as well as substantial subject-specific knowledge through this project. You will communicate your research findings through a written dissertation, orally and in poster format presented at the annual MSc poster symposium.

Semester: 2  Credits: 85  

Drugs, Processes, Products and People

This module covers the following: Structure of the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. Drug discovery strategies. Time-line in the development of a new pharmaceutical product. Thermo-chemical and physico-chemical aspects of crystalline, organic, molecular materials. Industrial synthetic route selection, process development involving robustness, reagent conditions, solvents and scale-up of primary manufacturing processes. Regulatory framework in the pharmaceutical sector. Mechanisms of selected disease and interaction of drugs with the body. Routes of drug administration, trans-membrane transportation. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drug in human body. Introduction to pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics. Drug modifications. Social implications of pharmaceuticals. Changes in health of population, life expectancy. Emerging diseases and social impact. Drug dependency, drug abuse. Organic chemistry for Industrial processes: structure and bonding, intermolecular forces, nomenclature, chemical reactivity, acid-base reactions, classification of reactions, oxidation/reduction, functional group conversions, reaction mechanisms, curved arrow notation, aromaticity, benzene, aromatic compounds. Stereoisomers, conformational Isomers, chirality & symmetry, enantiomorphism, optical activity, stereogenic nitrogen, achiral diastereomers. A variety of selected reactions.

Credits: 10  

Biosensors & Molecular Diagnostics

This module will cover the construction and use of biosensors as well as approaches to molecular diagnostics (such as qPCR, biomarkers in diseases).

Credits: 10  


Optional Modules (choose 2 )

Plant Biotechnology

This module addresses areas of current research in the area of plant biotechnology. Some of the topics covered are: engineering of plants for the production of novel products, development of stress-tolerant crop varieties, knowledge and methodologies for designing plants with specific morphology or architecture and techniques for gene expression and gene silencing.

Credits: 10  

Tissue Engineering

The module begins with the basics of cell and matrix biology, cell extracellular matrix interactions, mechanical forces, growth factors, cytokines, allograft rejection, tissue repair and regeneration, tissue culture, sterilisation and aseptic technique. The module progresses to design of tissue matrices, natural matrices, enhancement of natural matrices, polymer and biodegradable scaffolds and cell interactions with synthetic surfaces. The design principles of engineering 3 dimensional cell/matrix constructs, bioreactors, the integration of physical forces into bioreactors for the production of biomechanically conditioned tissue constructs are then covered. Issues concerned with the delivery of tissues will be addressed including, durability and biocompatability testing of tissue engineered products in vitro and in vivo, quality control and standardisation, product applications and regulatory issues. Students conduct case studies of tissue engineering applied to specialised tissues and applications namely: cartilage and bone, cardiac valves, ligaments and tendons, nerves, bladder and mucosal epithelia and drug delivery.

Credits: 10  

Bionanotechnology

The module aims to excite students to the opportunities offered by 'learning from biology' in the new field of nanotechnology. The module has 2 parallel strands: principles and tools. Principles will provide an overview of biological cells and biological processes including information storage/reading, cellular communication and material transport, and energy inter-conversions. Biosensors and bio-molecular motors will also be described. Tools will provide training in the methodologies used in bio-nanotechnology, including nano-scale manipulation of bio-molecules, single molecule imaging and fabrication of sensor devices and motors.

Credits: 10  

Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

This module addresses a range of current topics in biochemistry and the student selects three topics from ten. The topics include i) Protein folding and assembly ii) bioenergetics iii) plasmids: death by sex iv) membrane channels v) Gene therapy vi) molecular oncology vii) bioinformatics viii) antibiotic resistance ix) stem cell biology and x) How to create better proteins by directed evolution. The lecture content is supplemented by tutorials and by problem solving sessions.

Credits: 10  

Example Research Projects

A selection of project titles offered previously:

  • Interrogation of affinity biosensors by electrical pulsing?
  • Novel biosensor platform for fluorescent detection of small amounts of analyte
  • Tissue engineering of the mitral heart valve
  • Production and characterisation of a tissue engineered human skin equivalent using acellular human amniotic membrane
  • Protein engineering of enzymes
  • Engineering affinity reagents for protein arrays
  • Kinetics and mechanism of metabolic membrane enzymes
  • Cell wall changes induced by the use of agrochemical ‘straw thickeners’
  • Effects of constitutive cysteine protease inhibitor (cystatin) expression on drought tolerance in tobacco
  • Effects of chilling stress on the dorso-ventral regulation of photosynthesis and stomatal opening in sugar cane leaves
  • Biosensors based on the FluRedox principle

Background reading

We assume that all students undertaking our MSc programmes will have strong background knowledge in molecular biology.  If you have limited molecular biology background then it is essential that you undertake some preparatory reading prior to your arrival in Leeds.  

We recommend the following molecular biology textbook:
Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Roberts, K., Walter, P. (2002) Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th Edn.  Garland Science.

Its content is available freely online at the following web address:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=mboc4

It is essential that at a minimum you are familiar with content of the following sections:

Part I - Introduction to the cell

  • Cells and genomes
  • Cell chemistry and biosynthesis
  • Proteins

Part II - Basic Genetic Mechanisms

  • DNA and chromosomes
  • DNA replication
  • From DNA to protein
  • Control of gene expression

Part III - Methods

  • Manipulating proteins, DNA and RNA
  • Visualizing cells

Another excellent introductory textbook to molecular biology you should consult is:
Brown, T.A. (2010) Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis. 6th Edn.  Blackwell Publishing.

Students who would like additional reading specific to their specialist programme of interest, please e-mail Megan Blackburn (m.blackburn@leeds.ac.uk)

Visit the Studying with us pages for an overview of the Faculty of Biological Sciences Graduate School.

Please be aware that course details do change from time to time. ...

... If in doubt, please contact us to verify course content and availability. Whilst the University endeavours to ensure that the information on this website is accurate at the date of publication it does not accept liability for any inaccuracies. The University reserves the right to change or cancel its courses or services at any time without liability even after students have registered at the University. The University's contract with its students does not confer third party benefits for the purposes of Contracts (Right of Third Parties) Act 1999.

Fees and Funding

What does it cost?

The cost of a postgraduate degree varies by course; you will get details of your fees with your offer letter.

UK / EU student fees 2012 - 13
MSc Bioscience £7,500
MSc Bioinformatics and Genomics £7,000
MSc Biotechnology £7,500
MSc Human Disease and Therapy £7,500
MSc Infection and Immunity £7,500
MSc Plant Science and Biotechnology £7,500
International Student fees 2012 - 13
MSc Bioscience £16,200
MSc Bioinformatics and Genomics £16,200
MSc Biotechnology £16,200
MSc Human Disease and Therapy £16,200
MSc Infection and Immunity £16,200
MSc Plant Science and Biotechnology £16,200

The academic fee covers tuition and exam costs as well as membership of the students' union. International students will pay a higher fee than UK students as the fees for UK and European Union (EU) students are subsidised by the UK government, but international students can get get financial help from international scholarships. See also Biological Sciences International Scholarships.

 

Financial help

The majority of our students are self-funded, or funded by their employer or national government. However, several additional sources provide either fully-funded or part-funded scholarships, both for UK and for overseas applicants. Postgraduate scholarships are available to international, UK and EU students and you may be eligible.

If you are experiencing severe hardship you could get help with your living expenses from the Access to Learning Fund, after you have applied for all other available means of support, but please note that residency conditions do apply.

When to pay

Fees must be paid in full before you can register as a postgraduate student, unless you will be paying for yourself. If you are self-supporting you can pay fees in two instalments, the first payable at registration.

If you are supported by your government, employer, or other sponsor, you should provide a letter from them addressed to the University, confirming that the fees will be paid directly. Sponsors cannot pay by instalments.

The information provided is for general guidance purposes only. The University believes the information provided is accurate at the time of publication. The University cannot accept liability for any inaccuracies.

Bioscience Careers

Excellent career prospects

The strong research element combined with the specialist and generic skills training of the postgraduate Bioscience degrees equips our graduates for a wide range of careers and is internationally recognised.

A substantial proportion of our graduates undertake PhDs either at Leeds or elsewhere, whilst others enter employment in diverse posts ranging from bioscience-related research through to scientific publication, teacher training, health and safety and pharmaceutical market research.  Examples of posts held by recent MSc Bioscience graduates include:

  • PhD positions in the UK, USA and overseas e.g. at the Max Planck Institute, Germany
  • Research post at Harvard School of Public Health, Botswana
  • Trainee Cytogeneticist, UK
  • Commissioning Editor/Scientific Publishing, UK
  • Research Fellow, National Centre for Biological Sciences, India
  • Clinical Researcher, Kent and Medway Cancer Network and NHS Trust, UK
  • Research Technician, University of Warwickshire/University of Oxford, UK
  • Graduate Medical Degree, UK
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education, UK
  • Trainee Embryologist, UK
  • Research Assistant, Qatar National Research Fund, Qatar
  • Sypol, Health and Safety Services, UK
  • Research Executive, Adelphi International Research, UK
  • Biopharmaceutical Experimental Officer, Covance, UK

PhD in Leeds

The Faculty offers a wide range of postgraduate research opportunities. Browse our online database to find out about our research staff and current research interests and visit our research news bulletin for all the latest research stories. Chelsea Brain

Alumni Profiles

Chelsea Brain (MSc Bioscience 2010) secured a position as a Doctoral Student Researcher with Newcastle University and Scottish Bioenergy, a university spin-out company in Newcastle. This allows her to not only use her bioscience skills, but also to be involved on the business side of things too.

Read more alumni profiles.

Careers support and personal development

University of Leeds Careers Centre

The University of Leeds has its own specialist careers centre to help students. In 2007 around 450 employers and over 13,000 students took part in the Career Centre's varied programme of events. The Centre can help students to:

  • plan what to do after university
  • attend careers fairs and employer presentations
  • write a CV
  • improve job applications
  • look for work experience
  • find vacancies

Alumni Mentoring Network

Registered students have access to our Alumni Mentoring network. Networking is one of the most effective ways to find out more about different career opportunities. In an increasingly competitive employment market it is vital to be well-informed and there really is no substitute for talking to people who have first hand experience of the work that interests you. Leeds Alumni Mentoring Network gives students the chance to make contact with Leeds alumni (graduates) to explore career options, gain tips on entry into specific careers and receive supportive advice on developing your career plans. Find out more about our alumni.

Leeds for Life

Our Leeds for Life scheme helps all students to recognise and develop the qualities they are gaining from the whole of their University of Leeds experience - both from their course and the huge range of co-curricular opportunities on offer. We want Leeds students to go out into the world and make a difference, in whatever field they choose. We believe that the research-led education at Leeds gives our students the confidence and skills to do just that.

Personal Tutors

All Masters students are assigned a personal tutor, whom they meet in timetabled individual meetings to discuss their progress and personal development .

Careers resources

www.jobs.ac.uk

  • Search jobs in science, research, academic & related employment in the UK & abroad.

prospects.ac.uk

  • Useful information for graduates covering a wide range of sectors and occupations.

doctorjob.com

  • Information and profiles on jobs in the UK and overseas.

The UK Centre for Bioscience based at the University of Leeds also offer some useful advice for students with a biosciences degree. Download their 'A Bioscience degree - why and what next?' guide.

Developing your employability skills

Talk from the Society of BiologyWe work closely with a variety of employers to ensure that our students and graduates are well-equipped to successfully compete in the global bioscience and wider employment markets, as well as academia.

We offer our students various opportunities:

  • Industrial projects
  • Industry-relevant courses
  • Industrial advisers and speakers
  • Networking opportunities

Who we work with

We have a proactive Industrial Advisory Board who give up their time to advise us on what they look for in graduates and on employability related skills within our programmes.

We collaborate with a range of different organisations in the public and commercial sectors. Our commercial collaborators include larger multinational organisations to smaller to medium sized enterprises, and University of Leeds spin-out companies.

Many of these are represented on our Industrial Advisory Board.

We work with...

Industrial projects

Some of our partners also offer MSc research projects in their organisations. Students completing projects in industry are able to gain valuable work experience, develop their commercial awareness and build their network of contacts.

This year, some of our students are completing their research projects in organisations such as the Food and Environment Research Agency and the Health Protection Agency for their research projects.

Industry-relevant courses

Employers advise on and input directly into our MSc Bioscience course content, ensuring our courses are relevant to industry as well as academia. This gives our students the knowledge, skills, qualities and experiences employers tell us they are looking for.

Industrial advisers and speakers

Graduate employers also advise and teach on MSc modules either by joining our Industrial Advisory Board and/or delivering one-off lectures, workshops and practical demonstrations. Employers also contribute 'real world' case studies, work-based learning examples and problems. As a result, students are able to relate their learning to the wider context of the bioscience industry. Employers also provide valuable career development advice to students.

Example employer lectures...

Networking opportunities

2010 Bioscience Careers FairEmployers meet with students on campus at dedicated networking events. Visiting employers often advise about job vacancies and the types of new recruits that their organisation is looking for. They also provide insider tips on the skills, knowledge and competences required to enter their respective careers/organisations.

The annual bioscience careers fair

Representatives from multi-national bioscience employers attend our bioscience careers fair, including Croda, GlaxoSmithKline and Unilever. University careers advisors also provide students with one-to-one advice on topics such as improving their CVs and securing future job interviews. This gives students the opportunity to practice their networking skills and learn about future career avenues that might be open to them.

Industry visits

We arrange industrial worksite and research institute visits, to help our students find out how their knowledge and skills can be practically transferred into the wider world of work. Students use these opportunities to build their own networks and learn more about future career avenues that are open to them. MSc Bioinformatics & Genomics students have the opportunity to visit the European Bioinformatics Institute to find out about the research work that goes on there and in Europe, and about potential PhD and job opportunities in their field in the future.