MSc Biotechnology
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
The MSc in Biotechnology is taught by leading academics in the UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and focuses on broadening your knowledge and understanding of the current technologies and processes in the biotechnology industry, including approaches being applied to further advance the discovery and design of new and highly innovative biotech and pharmaceutical products and technologies.
- Modules on food and environmental biotechnology,
- Industrially relevant expertise in facility design and bioprocess technology, regulatory affairs and clinical trials
- Academic or industry lab project of significant benefit to previous programme graduates.
Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
Course Description
Biotechnology encompasses all aspects of the industrial application of living organisms and/ or biological techniques. It is a collection of technologies that capitalise on the attributes of cells and biological molecules, such as DNA, to work for us. The primary biotechnology activity carried out in Ireland is research and development. Ireland has experienced massive growth across the biotechnology sector including food, environmental and pharmaceutical industries in the last decade. Ireland is home to nine of the top 10 global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Merck, BristolMyers Squibb and Genzyme, with seven of the 10 world blockbuster pharmaceuticals made here. The MSc in Biotechnology is taught by leading academics in the UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and focuses on broadening your knowledge and understanding of the current technologies and processes in the biotechnology industry, including approaches being applied to further advance the discovery and design of new and highly innovative biotech and pharmaceutical products and technologies. It also provides modules on food and environmental biotechnology, as well as industrially relevant expertise in facility design, bioprocess technology, regulatory affairs and clinical trials.
Programme outcomes
-Students will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles and applications of biotechnology
-Students will be able to comprehend the challenges of scaling bioprocesses and apply their knowledge to overcome these
-Students will be able to analyse, evaluate and communicate biotechnology research
-Students will be able to work safely and effectively in a biotechnology laboratory, both independently and as part of a team
-Students will be able to develop solutions to a range of challenges in the breadth of sectors to which biotechnology is relevant (health, agriculture, fine chemicals, waste etc.)
-Students will be able to engage with potential employers in a professional manner
Vision and Values Statement
The MSc programme in Biotechnology is designed for life science/chemistry graduates and aims to develop the students' specific knowledge and skills in biotechnology, positioning them for employment in bio-based industries or PhD research. The graduates of the MSc Biotechnology programme will be very well informed on a range of biotechnology-related topics and the problems encountered within a commercial biotechnology environment. We aim to produce highly motivated, independent thinkers with well-developed problem-solving ability and capable of working effectively in a professional environment either alone or in teams. There is a particular emphasis on career development and introducing the students to professionals from private biotechnology companies. We provide a scholarly environment within which students' interest in biotechnology is advanced through lectures by experts from academia and industry. Their creativity and problem solving skills are enhanced through group projects and computer-based learning tools. The students develop practical biotechnology skills in a research project that is conducted either in the university's research laboratories or as an internship in a relevant biotechnology/biotherapeutic industry. The different teaching approaches employed in the delivery of the curriculum is reflected in the variety of assessment, which includes classical written examination, posters, oral assessments, collaborative presentations, case studies and a final thesis based on the research project.
Comment
Facilities and Resources
The UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science is closely linked to the UCD Conway institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular research which provides cutting edge core technologies including the premier Mass Spectrometry Resource in the country, NMR spectroscopy, real time PCR, electron microscopy, light microscopy, digital pathology and flow cytometry.