Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• Provide thorough knowledge and understanding of the fundamental scientific and technological principles underpinning modern biotechnology and bioprocessing industries.

• Equip graduates with advanced knowledge of upstream and downstream bioprocessing, training in experimental microbiology and molecular biology techniques relevant to biotechnology and developing graduate level research skills by working on a biotechnology focused research project. 

• Develop advanced knowledge and understanding of innovation, intellectual property, ethics, regulatory constraints and commercialization aspects through critical evaluation of case studies relevant to the biotechnology industry. 

• Develop high level skills including critical and creative thinking, problem analysis and problem solving. 

• Develop graduates capable of successfully leading interdisciplinary teams and encourage professional attitudes through study and teamwork.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications  

QAA Subject Benchmark Statement in Biosciences 2019

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

K1 Underpinning molecular biology, genetic engineering and bioprocess engineering principles and their applications in biotechnology.

K2 Processing options suitable for the scalable production and purification of different biotechnological products.

K3 Commercialisation of innovation including intellectual property, ethical, regulatory and environmental considerations relevant to the biosciences sector.

K4 Research techniques including information retrieval, project planning and experimental design.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1 Select, evaluate and design processes suitable for the production and purification of biotechnology products

C2 Apply fundamental biological and engineering principles to critically evaluate the commercial potential of biotechnological innovations

C3 Analyse design constraints and evaluate potential solutions associated with the development and use of biological systems in a commercial process

C4 Source, analyse and apply relevant biotechnology literature to solve technical problems.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1 Demonstrate competence in the discipline standard microbiology and molecular biology experimental techniques relevant to biotechnology

P2 Undertake critical literature searches to research biotechnology relevant information

P3 Critically evaluate information required to solve biotechnological problems and capture process engineering specification requirements

P4 Undertake complex engineering calculations for design, scale-up and analysis of bioprocessing equipment

P5 Apply experimental and numerical methods to generate data, analyse data and quantify uncertainty and solve complex biotechnology problems

P6 Create, plan, design and execute a biotechnology focused project and communicate the findings.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

T1 Work in multi-disciplinary teams to analyse and solve technical problems

T2 Integrate and evaluate information from a range of sources

T3 Approach problems systematically, structure ideas, analyse the strengths and weaknesses of potential solutions

T4 Communicate effectively in verbal, written and visual forms

T5 Undertake project planning and independent self-learning

T6 Plan and safely execute experimental work in laboratory settings.

4. Programme structure

Full time students are required to take three compulsory modules in semester 1 and three compulsory modules in semester 2. Students must choose 1 optional module in semester 1 and 1 optional module in semester 2. Part-time students should contact the Programme Director with regards to module choices for each semester. 

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (45 credits) 

Optional modules  (Students should select modules totalling 15 credits) 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (45 credits) 

Optional modules (Students should select modules totalling 15 credits) 

Semester 3

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

n/a

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• Provide thorough knowledge and understanding of the fundamental scientific and technological principles underpinning successful operation and development of the biomedical industries.

• Equip graduates with advanced knowledge of medical diagnostics, drug delivery, biomechanics and biomedical product design, training in experimental cell, tissue and biomolecular science techniques and developing graduate level research skills by working on a relevant biomedical engineering focused research project.

• Develop advanced knowledge and understanding of innovation, intellectual property, ethics, regulatory constraints and commercialization aspects through critical evaluation of case studies relevant to the biomedical industry.

• Develop high level skills including critical and creative thinking, problem analysis and problem solving.

• Develop graduates capable of successfully leading interdisciplinary teams and encourage professional attitudes through study and teamwork.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications  

QAA Subject Benchmark Statement in Biosciences 2019

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

K1 Underpinning science and engineering principles relevant to biomechanics, medical diagnostics and drug delivery and their applications in biomedical engineering

K2 Considerations regarding interactions and integration of biomedical devices at molecular, cellular, tissue and whole-body levels

K3 Ethical, regulatory and environmental considerations governing the development of new products for the biomedical engineering industry

K4 Research techniques including information retrieval, project planning and experimental design.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1 Apply fundamental biological and engineering principles in medicine and the life sciences and to design and evaluate new biomedical products and emerging technologies

C2 Analyse design constraints and evaluate potential solutions for the development of biomedical devices and products  

C3 Evaluate essential biological and engineering requirements for the rigorous design and development of complex biomedical products

C4 Source, analyse and critically apply relevant biomedical engineering literature to solve technical problems.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1 Demonstrate competence in the discipline standard molecular and cell biology experimental techniques relevant to biomedical engineering

P2 Undertake critical literature searches to research medical and biosciences relevant information

P3 Capture product specification requirements by critically evaluating information required to solve biomedical engineering problems and

P4 Undertake complex engineering calculations for the design and analysis of biomedical devices

P5 Apply experimental and numerical methods to generate data, analyse data and quantify uncertainty to solve complex biomedical engineering problems

P6 Create, plan, design and execute a biomedical engineering focused project and communicate the findings.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

T1 Work in multi-disciplinary teams to analyse and solve technical problems

T2 Integrate and evaluate information from a range of sources

T3 Approach problems systematically, structure ideas, analyse the strengths and weaknesses of potential solutions

T4 Communicate effectively in verbal, written and visual forms

T5 Undertake project planning and independent self-learning

T6 Plan and safely execute experimental work in laboratory settings.

4. Programme structure

Full time students are required to take four compulsory modules in semester 1 and three compulsory modules in semester 2. Students must choose 1 optional module in semester 2. Part-time students should contact the Programme Director with regards to module choices for each semester. 

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (45 credits) 

Optional modules (Students should select modules totalling 15 credits) 

Semester 3

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

n/a