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Do you want to focus your scientific career on one of the fastest moving sectors of science? The UK has hundreds of biotech companies and is a leader in innovating specialist products from living organisms. Biotech applications are enhancing food production, treating medical conditions and having a significant impact on the global future.

Recent and relevant biotechnological research is at the heart of our programme and will culminate in your final module: a 60-credit independent research project, in which you design and implement your own research, and present, analyse and communicate your data. It is excellent preparation for a PhD or a research job in the industry.

Given the common expectation for job candidates to have some form of postgraduate qualification, this part-time Masters course offers a route to careers in biotechnology as well as the broader life sciences industry. If your first degree included the study of genetics and molecular biology, and a research module, you're well-placed to join us.

Check out all of our available part time study options and discover the course that best suits you.

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
2 years Part Time
1 other options available

Department
Applied Sciences

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

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Entry Requirements 2024/25

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in a subject related to biology or biotechnology, including the study of genetics and molecular biology.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

 *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry

Full UK Fee: £9,250

Full International Fee: £19,750



Scholarships and Discounts

Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK and International applicants.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Laboratory equipment such as spatula, lab book, marker pens and a scientific calculator are required and should cost no more than £25. You may be required to print some documents this should be no more than £10 per academic year.

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

AP0700 -

Graduate Science Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)

This module will provide you with an opportunity to develop your skills in the use and understanding of relevant literature and in both quantitative and qualitative methods. You will learn how to evaluate and contribute to the scientific literature and to interpret and disseminate scientific information. You will appreciate the desirable properties of research design and be able to select an experimental design appropriate to a given system and create the design matrix. You will learn how to assess the kinds of scientific data and tests of hypotheses and will be able to select, apply, and interpret the output from statistical methods of data analysis, and to evaluate the results of statistical analyses as applied to a given data set. Using contemporary science stories, you will develop scientific communication skills in systematic searching, summary writing and critical analysis of the underpinning primary research.

More information

AP0701 -

Molecular Biology (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn to evaluate recent developments in molecular biology in the context of the new techniques that have been developed, which will be assessed by an online test, demonstrate an ability to perform skilled laboratory techniques in a competent and safe manner, which is assessed by practical report, and evaluate laboratory results in the form of a scientific paper, which is assessed by practical report. You will also learn to demonstrate an awareness of the wider social and political implications of the topics covered in the module.

More information

AP0704 -

Industrial Biotechnology (Core,20 Credits)

You will explore various aspects of industrial microbial biotechnology and see how it contributes to the global goal of sustainable industrial development, using easily obtainable renewable feed-stocks to generate a wide range of useful (often biodegradable) products while avoiding the use of environment-damaging materials like petrochemicals. You will explore the development of traditional biotechnology industries such as the production of amino acids as food additives and the treatment of waste waters and the bioreactors they use. You will also learn about the use of enzymes in industry and explore the production of a complex enzyme preparation using bioreactors in the laboratory. You will learn how production strains of microorganisms were isolated and traditionally improved using biochemical principles. You will learn how the advent of genomic analyses facilitates analysis of hyper-producing strains to understand their productivity and how they can now be rationally designed using the genomic information in the future. Throughout the module you will consider the practicalities of operating at an industrial scale.

More information

AP0705 -

Current Topics in Biotechnology (Core,20 Credits)

Biotechnology is a fast moving and growing field of science, that impacts on our society and our lives. In this module, you will explore several areas of biotechnology.
You will learn about genetically modified plants and animals. What is the scientific background of genetic modification – how is it done, what are the implications, why do we need genetically modified organisms – do we actually need them? You will learn about the different methodologies of transferring DNA into plants and animals, about the selection mechanisms involved, and about the ectopic expression of the transgenes, and about the effects (wanted and unwanted) on both the host species and the natural or agricultural environment. You will study a number of case studies in depth, looking at all aspects of the problem and its supposed biotechnological solution.
Biotechnology is of growing importance in the medical world as well. How can we apply our biotechnological and molecular genetic knowledge in the fight against disease? You will learn about the role of cell therapies in creating “future cures”, with a focus on stem cell technologies and the production and handling of cell based products.
You will also explore the controversy around biotechnological methods and applications. You will learn about the ethical, legal and social issues surrounding genetic modification and stem cell research, and get insight into the regulatory bodies, commercial, governmental and social pressures that drive medical biotechnology product development.

More information

AP0702 -

Bioinformatics (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn the fundamental importance of bioinformatics to 21st century biology and how it is applied to the investigation of bacterial sequences. Topics include:
•Utilisation of databases for the analysis of nucleotide and amino-acid sequences, including introduction to the algorithms used in sequence alignment and sequence searching
•Practical experience of sequence analysis using freely available bioinformatics tools, looking at nucleotide, protein, and genome databases. These tools include BLAST, SWISS-Prot, PubMed, UCSC Genome Browser
•Microbial DNA sequencing and next-generation sequencing
•Genome annotation and analysis of SNPs.
•The importance of molecular phylogeny
•Genome editing using CRISPR-Cas
•Proteomics, covering protein structure analysis and identification of common motifs

More information

AP0703 -

Subject Exploration (Core,20 Credits)

This module allows you to explore a topic related to your Masters programme of your own choosing to an advanced level developing a critical appreciation of the methodologies, recent advances and future potential in that field. In doing so, you will develop and refine your research skills including information retrieval, evaluative, analytical, and problem solving skills together with group-based written and oral communication skills.

More information

AP0708 -

Applied Sciences Research Project (Core,60 Credits)

This module provides you with a vehicle for developing, refining and applying your research skills in an independent project. Guided by a staff member, you will plan, carry out and report the outcomes of an independent research project to professional standards. You will identify stakeholders in your research and describe the projected impact your research holds for them. In order to prepare you for life as a research professional, assessments emulate authentic professional documentary formats aimed at securing project resources and disseminating your findings to ensure they develop real world impact.

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

AP0700 -

Graduate Science Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)

This module will provide you with an opportunity to develop your skills in the use and understanding of relevant literature and in both quantitative and qualitative methods. You will learn how to evaluate and contribute to the scientific literature and to interpret and disseminate scientific information. You will appreciate the desirable properties of research design and be able to select an experimental design appropriate to a given system and create the design matrix. You will learn how to assess the kinds of scientific data and tests of hypotheses and will be able to select, apply, and interpret the output from statistical methods of data analysis, and to evaluate the results of statistical analyses as applied to a given data set. Using contemporary science stories, you will develop scientific communication skills in systematic searching, summary writing and critical analysis of the underpinning primary research.

More information

AP0701 -

Molecular Biology (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn to evaluate recent developments in molecular biology in the context of the new techniques that have been developed, which will be assessed by an online test, demonstrate an ability to perform skilled laboratory techniques in a competent and safe manner, which is assessed by practical report, and evaluate laboratory results in the form of a scientific paper, which is assessed by practical report. You will also learn to demonstrate an awareness of the wider social and political implications of the topics covered in the module.

More information

AP0704 -

Industrial Biotechnology (Core,20 Credits)

You will explore various aspects of industrial microbial biotechnology and see how it contributes to the global goal of sustainable industrial development, using easily obtainable renewable feed-stocks to generate a wide range of useful (often biodegradable) products while avoiding the use of environment-damaging materials like petrochemicals. You will explore the development of traditional biotechnology industries such as the production of amino acids as food additives and the treatment of waste waters and the bioreactors they use. You will also learn about the use of enzymes in industry and explore the production of a complex enzyme preparation using bioreactors in the laboratory. You will learn how production strains of microorganisms were isolated and traditionally improved using biochemical principles. You will learn how the advent of genomic analyses facilitates analysis of hyper-producing strains to understand their productivity and how they can now be rationally designed using the genomic information in the future. Throughout the module you will consider the practicalities of operating at an industrial scale.

More information

AP0705 -

Current Topics in Biotechnology (Core,20 Credits)

Biotechnology is a fast moving and growing field of science, that impacts on our society and our lives. In this module, you will explore several areas of biotechnology.
You will learn about genetically modified plants and animals. What is the scientific background of genetic modification – how is it done, what are the implications, why do we need genetically modified organisms – do we actually need them? You will learn about the different methodologies of transferring DNA into plants and animals, about the selection mechanisms involved, and about the ectopic expression of the transgenes, and about the effects (wanted and unwanted) on both the host species and the natural or agricultural environment. You will study a number of case studies in depth, looking at all aspects of the problem and its supposed biotechnological solution.
Biotechnology is of growing importance in the medical world as well. How can we apply our biotechnological and molecular genetic knowledge in the fight against disease? You will learn about the role of cell therapies in creating “future cures”, with a focus on stem cell technologies and the production and handling of cell based products.
You will also explore the controversy around biotechnological methods and applications. You will learn about the ethical, legal and social issues surrounding genetic modification and stem cell research, and get insight into the regulatory bodies, commercial, governmental and social pressures that drive medical biotechnology product development.

More information

AP0702 -

Bioinformatics (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn the fundamental importance of bioinformatics to 21st century biology and how it is applied to the investigation of bacterial sequences. Topics include:
•Utilisation of databases for the analysis of nucleotide and amino-acid sequences, including introduction to the algorithms used in sequence alignment and sequence searching
•Practical experience of sequence analysis using freely available bioinformatics tools, looking at nucleotide, protein, and genome databases. These tools include BLAST, SWISS-Prot, PubMed, UCSC Genome Browser
•Microbial DNA sequencing and next-generation sequencing
•Genome annotation and analysis of SNPs.
•The importance of molecular phylogeny
•Genome editing using CRISPR-Cas
•Proteomics, covering protein structure analysis and identification of common motifs

More information

AP0703 -

Subject Exploration (Core,20 Credits)

This module allows you to explore a topic related to your Masters programme of your own choosing to an advanced level developing a critical appreciation of the methodologies, recent advances and future potential in that field. In doing so, you will develop and refine your research skills including information retrieval, evaluative, analytical, and problem solving skills together with group-based written and oral communication skills.

More information

AP0708 -

Applied Sciences Research Project (Core,60 Credits)

This module provides you with a vehicle for developing, refining and applying your research skills in an independent project. Guided by a staff member, you will plan, carry out and report the outcomes of an independent research project to professional standards. You will identify stakeholders in your research and describe the projected impact your research holds for them. In order to prepare you for life as a research professional, assessments emulate authentic professional documentary formats aimed at securing project resources and disseminating your findings to ensure they develop real world impact.

More information

Study Options

The following alternative study options are available for this course:

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

 

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

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If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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