Molecular Biology and Biotechnology with Innovation Year in Industry MSc

Queen's University Belfast

Biotechnology is the exploitation of living systems or molecules from them for commercial gain. Although the word 'biotechnology' is only a few decades old, humankind has been using biotechnology for millennia, for example in baking, brewing and sewage treatment.

Modern biotechnologies rely on our increasing ability to manipulate organisms at the genetic level and include novel waste treatments and bioremediations, new pharmaceuticals, the exploitation of enzymes in 'green catalysis' and exciting new diagnostic techniques. In the 20th century our lives were transformed by information technology the 21st century may see an equally great transformation, but this time led by biotechnology.

This Masters degree aims to teach the fundamental molecular bioscience underpinning biotechnology along with examples of its current applications.

As an ‘Innovation Year in Industry’ programme, this course offers an opportunity to apply the skills and theories learnt during the first year to a real-world problem in industry, charities, or government. Students will have the opportunity to undertake a 40-week placement that will give them real-life experience of addressing a specific problem through the application of knowledge, expertise, and technical skills that have been developed as part of the first year of their course. This will equip graduates with in-demand skills and experience that will provide a strong trajectory for their international employability.