Pharmaceutical Biotechnology MSc/PG Dip

The course provides a response to the rapidly-expanding field of biopharmaceuticals (DNA and protein-based medicines) and focuses on the role of proteins as therapeutic agents and as tools for the identification of such agents.

It provides insight into how researchers may select and use appropriate protein expression systems for the large-scale to mass production of a protein, that would ultimately lead to its complete characterisation before it is applied to humans.

You will also focus on the business and intellectual property aspects that are interwoven with biotechnological innovation and entrepreneurship to enable career progression.

Modules include:

• Biopharmaceuticals and Molecular Toxicology (15 credits) - discusses the underlying principles that allow for the selection of a biopharmaceutical in the treatment of a disease
• Microbial Fermentation/ Downstream Processing, Drug Development (15 credits) - looks at the role of microbial fermentation drug development as well as issues of scale-up, bulk production, downstream processing, bio-safety and toxicology
• Gene Cloning, Expression and Analysis (30 credits) - provides practical skills and theoretical considerations covering cell culture, gene isolation and protein expression
• Bioinformatics I and II (15 credits) - provides an understanding of research tools and methodologies used in molecular investigations as well as the basic theory and employment of bioinformatics
• Business Creation & Innovation (15 credits) - aims to provide a guide to the key theories about enterprise and innovation, looking at their relationship to small businesses and to consider the methods that are taken to promote and finance them
• Research Methods (15 credits) - with elective depending on type of research chosen for the third semester
• Research Dissertation (60 credits) - a full-time project with research in pharmaceutical biotechnology or molecular toxicology topics

You will be expected to participate in an extensive programme of learning that will require full commitment and focus throughout your study.

The learning environment for the first two semesters will be varied with lectures, tutorials, laboratories and computer laboratories. You can expect to spend about half of your directed study time working at the bench in our research laboratories. In the third semester, the learning venue will depend on your dissertation topic and will be aimed at guided self-study.

The quality of our teaching is amongst the best in the world, offering a varied selection of teaching methods to suit all learning requirements.