Biochemical Engineering MSc

Our MSc programme focuses on the core biochemical engineering principles that enable the translation of advances in the life sciences into real processes or products. Students will develop advanced engineering skills (such as bioprocess design, bioreactor engineering, downstream processing), state-of-the-art life science techniques (such as molecular biology, vaccine development, microfluidics) and essential business and regulatory knowledge (such as management, quality control, commercialisation).

Three distinct pathways are offered tailored to graduate scientists, engineers, or biochemical engineers.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme offers three distinct pathways tailored to: graduate scientists ("Engineering Stream"); graduate engineers from other disciplines ("Science Stream"); or graduate biochemical engineers ("Biochemical Engineering Stream"). The programme for all three streams consists of a combination of core and optional taught modules (120 credits) and a research or design project (60 credits).

Students are allocated to one of the three available streams based on their academic background (life science/science, other engineering disciplines, biochemical engineering). The programme for each stream is tailored to the background of students in that stream. Core modules may include the following (depending on stream allocation).

• Advanced Bioreactor Engineering
• Dissertation on Bioprocess Research
• Fundamental Biosciences
• Integrated Downstream Processing
• Sustainable Industrial Bioprocesses and Biorefineries

Optional modules may include the following (details will vary depending on stream allocation).

• Bioprocess Management – Discovery to Manufacture
• Bioprocess Microfluidics
• Bioprocess Systems Engineering
• Bioprocess Validation and Quality Control
• Commercialisation and Bioprocess Research
• Vaccine Bioprocess Development

Students allocated to the "Engineering" stream will have to complete a bioprocess design project as part of their MSc dissertation.

Students allocated to the "Science" and "Biochemical Engineering" streams will have to complete a research project as part of their MSc dissertation.

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and individual and group activities. Guest lectures delivered by industrialists provide a professional and social context. Assessment is through unseen written examinations, coursework, individual and group project reports, individual and group oral presentations, and the research or design project.