You will take core modules on theory, practicals, workshops, research methods and ethics in Biotechnology and visit industrial sites to get a comprehensive view on current technologies used in an academic and industrial setting.
The course consists of seven modules, including a 6-month research project in which you will undertake a placement in a biotechnology oriented lab on a relevant topic.
The programme will foster and enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with modules that encourage you to analyse complex problems, and design and evaluate effective solutions. In recognition of the significance of effective communication and collaboration in biological sciences, the programme will also include opportunities for students to work collaboratively and present their work.
Course Structure
Core modules
The Research Project takes up 6 months in this master course and gives you ample of experience to learn more about the latest biotechnological skills and teaches you how to design experiments and plan your project. In this module there is hands-on laboratory experience with an academic and you will be in charge of your own project.
Frontiers in Cell Biology and applications provides a broad understanding of cell biology and the latest biotechnological advances in drug discovery, biological applications and industrial challenges. You will gain insight into the technical, legal and ethical limitations associated with improvement of biotechnological processes.
Biotechnology and Industry in the Biosciences creates a specific awareness of the benefits biotechnology for society in general and provides a framework for developing industrial applications from theoretical knowledge. There will also be opportunities to develop links with the sector through industrial visits.
Bioinformatics and Data Science develops a broad understanding of bioinformatics and the ability to use public bioinformatics databases in the setting of cell biology. The module provides you with skills and knowledge in the R environment for data analysis and visualisation and the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data using open-source software, DNA and protein sequence data and next generation sequencing data.
Technology in the Biosciences offers an overview of recent technological developments and their application to the biosciences as well as an understanding of the theoretical aspects and practical skills underpinning technological advances in the biosciences. You will be given an overall appreciation of the strategies and technologies employed in the biosciences.
Literature Review explores cutting-edge biotechnology approaches and their real-world applications across diverse research fields. Through critical analysis of current scientific literature, students will evaluate the capabilities and constraints of emerging biotechnological methods. The module enhances professional research competencies, with particular emphasis on developing sophisticated academic writing skills, strengthening analytical reasoning, and cultivating independent scientific thinking.
An innovation module teaches the major theories and models of innovation and product development and their evaluation and provides training in how innovation is managed in company settings and how it is communicated across social systems.
Teaching will include block teaching of the core modules (including assessment), followed by the research project and industrial visits in Biotechnology and Industry. This will allow candidates to obtain the necessary prerequisite knowledge of the core modules in each term before delving into the more specialised content of their chosen research projects. The delivery of each module will typically involve a mixture or lectures, workshops, seminars, group and/or practical classes. The lectures provide key information on the module subjects.
The majority of lectures are given by specialist academics, with a number of key lectures delivered by guest speakers who have relevant industrial expertise in the specific topic. Workshops and laboratory-based practical sessions offer one-to-one mentoring. This will be accompanied by self-study components (preparation and reading) to achieve the required total number of learning hours per module.
Assessment
Assessment is ongoing in order to test your knowledge and varies from module to module. The learning outcomes in this programme are typically assessed by written coursework, which may include a written report, presentation and/or written tests.
Entry requirements
Applicants need the equivalent of a UK honours degree to at least a 2:1 in a Biosciences equivalent degree (i.e. Biology, Natural Sciences, Agriculture).
It is not necessary to have prior laboratory experience in biotechnology techniques.
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only. More information is available here: Tuition fees - how much are they - Durham University
As a biosciences postgraduate, you receive the essential skills and knowledge that come with research-led teaching, enabling you to continue your academic work at a higher level.
Your experience in the Department also develops more personal attributes, sought by employers, to help you take the step into a stimulating and rewarding professional career.
Recent postgraduates have gone on to succeed in a wide range of roles in teaching, the health sector, industrial R&D and biotechnology, management, accountancy, conservation, ecological and environmental services, journalism, environmental and biological patent law, pharmaceuticals, the civil service and the armed services.
Whether you choose to follow a research or employment path, you will be equipped with up-to-date skills and knowledge that you can use to help society tackle global challenges related to humankind, the climate and the environment.
Department information
Biosciences
The Department of Biosciences considers global issues such as healthy ageing, food security and control of disease and the existential conditions of climate change and sustainability. Our academic goal is to develop workable responses that will help to improve lives and environments worldwide.
We take a research-led approach to teaching that develops both the theoretical and practical knowledge that is needed in order to be able to contribute in a meaningful way to tackling these issues.
Learning in the Department benefits from being informed by global scientific advances and the national and international priorities of governments and organisations at a time when biosciences have never been more important.
The expertise of our academic staff is wide-ranging. Specialisms feature bacteria, plants, animals and humans with an emphasis on biotic and abiotic stress, signalling and environmental adaptation, cell structure, function and development, and human health and disease.
Reflecting the constant change and growth of bioscience we encourage interdisciplinary-based partnerships such as Chemical Biology with the Department of Chemistry and Behavioural Ecology with the Department of Anthropology.
We have an engaged and vibrant community of more than a hundred postgraduate students and researchers, who come here from all over the world to conduct their research and develop their skills. Postgraduate biosciences at Durham provides a unique opportunity to really shape the future.
100% internationally recognised research environment (REF 2021)
Facilities
The Department of Biosciences is located in a UNESCO World Heritage site, a short walk from the historic centre of Durham. Other academic departments and university services such as libraries and museums can be found nearby.
In the Department itself, we have a huge range of state-of-the-art technology, which is widely used by the postgraduate community for research work. The highly specialised equipment includes electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy, transgenic studies, genomics, DNA analysis and proteomics, bioinformatics, remote sensing, ecological field sampling and computer modelling.
Other departmental facilities are also world-class, including extensive greenhouses, environmental control chambers, cell technology facilities, microscopy suite, facilities for next generation sequencing and proteomics, and dedicated powerful computers for bioinformatics.
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