Industrial and Commercial Biotechnology MSc

Overview

Biotechnology is present in all our everyday lives. It could include:

• developing and modifying the enzymes in biological washing powder
• research into generating high-value biofuels
• protecting the crops growing in our fields.

Our Industrial and Commercial Biotechnology MSc:

• provides an opportunity to experience and refine molecular biology skills
• covers many aspects of applied biotechnological applications
• creates networks between fundamental research, the application of biotech solutions to modelling of large-scale bioprocess engineering
• develops your independent research skills

The United Nations has identified that having adequate food security to provide food for everyone is a key goal. One aspect of this course investigates how biotechnology can deliver maximum crop yields without converting more land to agriculture. It includes approaches that:

• make crops more resilient
• produce more sustainable and less environmentally damaging pesticides

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

You'll examine:

• the production of novel biological compounds
• the fundamental role played by micro-organisms in the turnover of pollutants
• the search and discovery of commercially significant natural products
• use and exploitation of genetically modified organisms (GMO)

This Industrial and Commercial Biotechnology master's also explores areas of related interest in biotechnology, such as:

• bioethics
• regulatory affairs
• the role of intellectual property and commercialisation

You will also consider how DNA technologies can screen for and improve the action of antimicrobial compounds.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Industrial and Commercial Biotechnology MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Modelling and Control in Bioprocess Systems	10
An Introduction to Synthetic Biology	10
Data analysis, interpretation and presentation for MSc	10
Problem Solving through Innovation PG	10
Biotechnology Dissertation Project	80
Global challenges: biotech solutions	20
Practical Techniques in Molecular Biology	20
Biotechnology: Advanced Topics	20

 

 

 

How you'll learn

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral examination
• Oral presentation
• Practical lab report
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your future

What can you do with a masters in biotechnology?

Graduates have been successful in taking PhD studentships at Newcastle and other UK Universities. This has led them into successful academic careers both in the UK and worldwide. In recent years several students have secured places at the Max Planck Institute, a highly prestigious research centre in Germany.

More recently, several graduates have started jobs in the North East and across the UK that directly use the skills developed in their Industrial and Commercial Biotechnology MSc degree.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences has an outstanding range of facilities to support our research and teaching including:

• fully equipped teaching and research laboratories
• lab scale fermentation of novel biological compounds
• access to bioinformatics software and literature resources

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

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Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events