Biotechnology, BSc Honours UCAS Code J700
Biotechnology with Industrial Placement Year, BSc Honours UCAS Code J701
Biotechnology is the application of biological techniques or processes to develop and create products. Biotechnology is contributing to rapid advances within the medical sciences, facilitating the development of innovative therapeutic and prophylactic approaches to human and animal disease. Biotechnology is also making major contributions to agriculture, where it has been responsible for the development of crops with increased yields, greater disease resistance, or the ability to grow in inhospitable environments. The Biotechnology industry is contributing to economic growth in many parts of the world. In the UK alone there are more than 400 Biotechnology companies employing many thousands of people. So graduates with expertise in this area will be increasingly in demand.
The Biotechnology BSc with Industrial Placement year allows students the chance to work in industry between the second and third year of study. The 12 month placement is monitored by the Academic Placement Officer with progress reports and a final assessed report being submitted.
Biotechnology has a strong basis in the biomolecular sciences, including molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and microbiology. The first part of our Biotechnology programme (Phase 1) focuses on these basic sciences, allowing students to gain a good understanding of these core subject areas. Phase 1 is common to all our Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences programmes so, if you so wish, you can transfer to another programme after the first year.
In Stage 2 you study in greater depth specialist topics relating to biotechnology, gaining a more advanced understanding of relevant applied aspects of biochemistry and molecular biology. In Stage 3 of your degree programme you study a variety of topics such as plant and animal biotechnology, medical biotechnology and structural and molecular biology in relation to biotechnology. A popular aspect of your Stage 3 work is an in-depth research project, taking up one term of your study time. This lets you follow a particular area of interest in more detail.
In addition to a strong scientific knowledge biotechnology graduates also need
to have an understanding of entrepreneurship and how industry works. At Newcastle
you will study a special module, “Business for the Bioscientist”,
where you will learn about issues such as intellectual property, business planning,
how companies are established and how they can finance their development, focusing
on case studies of successful companies.
| Course Specific Modules |
| Stage 2 |
| DNA synthesis, repair and recombination (10 credits) |
| Stage 3 |
| Research project (40 credits) or Experimental design and the process of research (40 credits) |
