Bioscience

This course is designed to equip you with the expertise necessary to work at the forefront of the modern bioscience sector. We’ll offer you a combination of practical training and theoretical modules to help you build your knowledge and skills.

The practical experience you gain during this degree is a vital part of your career preparation. You’ll receive substantial training in practical methods and technologies currently being used to advance the biological sciences.

During the course you’ll apply yourself through core research training modules. You’ll undertake a laboratory-based mini-project providing a hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques. You’ll also carry out a laboratory-based independent research project on an innovative topic related to your course options.

Importantly, we’ll also give you a strong foundation of theoretical teaching to enhance your practical training. You’ll develop your knowledge through research planning exercises and by studying methodologies underpinning contemporary bioscience, with many optional modules available to choose from, including Advanced Immunology, Plant Biotechnology, and Medical Diagnostics.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Practical Bioinformatics 10 credits
• MSc Bioscience Research Project Proposal 5 credits
• Research Planning and Scientific Communication 10 credits
• Advanced Biomolecular Technologies 20 credits
• Protein Engineering Laboratory Project 15 credits
• Bioscience MSc Research Project 80 credits

Optional modules

• Bioimaging 10 credits
• Advanced Immunology 10 credits
• Topics in Plant Science 10 credits
• Infectious & Non-infectious Diseases 10 credits
• Plant Biotechnology 10 credits
• High-throughput Technologies 10 credits
• Medical Diagnostics 10 credits
• Treatment of Infectious Disease and Cancer 10 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Bioscience MSc in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

You’ll have access to the very best learning resources and academic support during your studies. We’ve been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2017), demonstrating our commitment to delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.

Your learning will be heavily influenced by the University’s world-class research as well as our strong links with highly qualified professionals from industry, non-governmental organisations and charities.

You’ll experience a wide range of teaching methods including formal lectures, interactive workshops, problem-solving, practical classes and demonstrations.

The learning context has a strong research ethos, preparing you for academic (PhD and post-doctoral), industrial or public sector research. Taught modules address problems at the forefront of the subject, and learning activities (such as group work and mini-research projects) are designed to develop your subject-specific knowledge and research skills.

Your major project will involve cutting edge research with potential for publication in peer reviewed literature.

Assessment

We use a variety of assessment methods: multiple-choice testing, practical work, data handling and problem solving exercises, group work, discussion groups (face-to-face and online), computer-based simulation, literature reviews, research paper critiques, posters and oral presentations.