Programme structure
The MBiotech is an 18-month, 180-point programme with the option of starting in Semester One or Semester Two, and completed over three semesters full-time, with part-time options available.
The programme will be delivered through lectures, seminars, laboratories, and research supervision. Laboratory work may form a coursework component of some courses and may also form a part of the 45-point dissertation.
The first two semesters will comprise 120 points of core and elective courses. In the second semester students will choose a research project and enrol in BIOSCI 761 Research proposal and seminar.
All students will enrol in a course offering practical experience of research methodologies and data analysis either in cell-based (BIOSCI 704) or genome-based (BIOSCI 701) technologies.
A feature of the MBiotech programme will be the opportunity to enrol in 45 points of subject-specific courses offering disciplinary specialisation tailored to student interest and matching areas of recognised employer demand, for example in plant biotechnology.
Specialisations available:
- Bioinformatics
- Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
- Molecular Microbiology
- Plant Biotechnology
- Protein Engineering
Alternatively, students will be able to choose any combination of elective courses totalling 45 points from within the schedule of approved courses (see Schedule).
In the final semester students will undertake a 45-point research project supervised by an academic staff member and enrol concurrently in a final 15-point taught course.
Students who complete 120 points of coursework within the MBiotech with a GPA of 5.0 or above and who seek a longer form research project will have the ability to transfer to the MSc and complete a 120-point research thesis. Students who complete 120 points of coursework but fail to maintain a GPA of 4.0 within the programme will be unable to proceed to the research project and may graduate with a PGDipSci in Biotechnology.
