MSc Biotechnology

at University College Cork

Students complete a research project and study the following eight modules:

• MB6004 Advanced Molecular Microbial Biotechnology
• PF6301 Biopharmaceuticals: formulation design, secondary processing and regulatory compliance
• PE6008 Bioprocess Engineering
• BC6001 Cell and Molecular Biology
• MB6003 Functional Foods for Health
• BT6001 Genetic Engineering
• CM6011 Modern Methods in Analytical Chemistry
• PS6001 Plant Genetic Engineering
   

Course Practicalities
 

The curriculum consists of approximately 250 contact hours over two academic terms (October to December and January to March), consisting of eight course modules, set practical sessions, career service workshops and an industry lecture series.
 

The course will:

• introduce you to the theory and practice of bioanalytical chemistry;
• introduce you to molecular biotechnology, eukaryotic-, prokaryotic- and plant-biotechnologies, recombinant DNA technologies and their application in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries;
• introduce you to the principles of process and biochemical engineering;
• introduce you to the role of process validation and quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry, and give you an awareness of the latest trends in good manufacturing, laboratory, and validation practices;
• introduce you to the principles of food and industrial microbiology;
• and provide you with the opportunity to conduct and complete a body of independent research in a biotechnology-related area and present your research findings in a minor dissertation.

• Candidates must have obtained at least a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent in a subject(s) related to that of the MSc programme.
• Graduates with a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Graduates with equivalent qualifications in related areas of science and technology, or with proven and relevant industrial experience can be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for places following interview and assessment by the Director of the MSc (Biotechnology) Programme.
   

Candidates must be approved by the MSc (Biotechnology) course team and/or the Director of the MSc (Biotechnology) Programme. The number of places is limited and selection will be made on the basis of the candidate's performance in his/her primary degree or interview.
 

Minimum Requirements and Accepted English Language Tests & Examinations The minimum English language entry requirements for admission onto a postgraduate programme at UCC are outlined below. These requirements are for postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English. If Gaeilge (Irish) is your first language these requirements do not apply to you.There are a small number of programmes with a higher minimum English language entry requirement and we list these below under Programmes with a Higher Minimum English Language Requirement.IELTS*  
 

• 6.5 Overall
• 6.0 Individual Skills (academic version)
   

TOEFL iBT  

• 90 Overall
• Listening 20
• Reading 19
• Speaking 21
• Writing 20

The EU fee for this course is €7,130 (excluding €1,000 bench fee).
 

The Non-EU fee for this course is €22,600 (excluding €1,000 bench fee).
 

Deposits

If your course required a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second semester fee payment in January.
 

EU student fee payment

Fees for EU students are payable in two equal instalments. First payment at registration in August and the second in January.
 

International student fee payment

International Students can pay in two equal instalments once they have paid the appropriate deposit. The initial payment is due on registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

The course is suitable for students wishing to extend their specific undergraduate degree knowledge in biotechnology, and for those wishing to bridge their undergraduate degree and gain more specialised knowledge and training in biotechnology. It allows you to follow a number of career pathways. Each year, over 70 percent of our students gain employment while approximately 20 percent of graduates progress to international PhD opportunities.
 

Students who secure employment upon graduation fit into the organisation and contribute productively much sooner than other graduates. For students with an interest in biomedical research and future careers as PhD researchers, research projects are offered across a broad range of topics including but not limited to; cancer biology, neuroscience, immunology, microbiology, and plant biotechnology.