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About the Course

Overview

Due to the complex nature of bioprocessing, interdisciplinary training is essential, therefore the MSc in Bioprocessing utilises input from several sources such as life sciences, mathematics, the physical sciences and chemical engineering to ensure students gain a highly interdisciplinary yet rounded education.

Course Structure

The MSc Bioprocessing course contains the following core modules:

• Semester 1
• Principles of Biochemistry and Microbiology (M)
• Process Engineering 1(M)
• Upstream Bioprocessing (M)
• Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering
• Semester 2
• Downstream Bioprocessing (M)
• Production Management  (M)
• Critical Analysis and Research Preparation (M)
• Environmental Impact Assessment (O)
• Principles of Drug Discovery and Development (O)
• Nanochemistry (O)
• Ontologies and Algorithms for Bioinformatics (O)
• Biologically Inspired Computing (O)
• Summer
• Masters Dissertation (M)

(M) Mandatory module, (O) Optional Module

Duration

Normally 1 year, with part-time participation possible, typically over 2 years.

Entry Requirements

A First or Second Class Honours Degree in an engineering discipline or in the physical or chemical sciences. The degree can be from a British or overseas university. Different degrees, together with relevant industrial experience, will be considered.

Course Content

Due to the complex nature of bioprocessing, interdisciplinary training is essential. This course therefore utilises input from several sources such as life sciences, mathematics, the physical sciences and chemical engineering to ensure students gain a highly interdisciplinary yet rounded education.

The main objectives or the MSc Bioprocessing are to enable students to:

• Develop detailed knowledge and skills to deal with diverse and complex processes and products that exist in bio-manufacturing and an essential understanding of the range of technology and techniques available to support this activity.
• Develop a critical understanding of the relationships and interactions between the various components in a bioprocess system to achieve the overall goal of successful bio-manufacturing.
• Develop and use a significant range of science and engineering skills, techniques and practices in bio-manufacturing.
•  Critically review existing practice and develop original and creative solutions to problems within the sector.
• Communicate and work effectively with peers and academic staff in a variety of tasks, demonstrating appropriate levels of autonomy and responsibility.
• Plan and execute a significant project of research, investigation or development in a specialist area, demonstrating extensive, detailed and critical understanding of that area.

Employment and Industrial Links

Graduate Destinations

There is currently a strong demand and future need for suitably qualified scientists and engineers with bioprocessing skills and expertise. This demand has been highlighted in reports such as the DTI / BIA Bioscience Innovation and Growth Team Report on strategic life science development (Bioscience 2015), Scottish Enterprise Life Science Strategy and the IChemE's new Technical Strategy Roadmap. People with a background in this area can be expected to find satisfying careers in the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, food, water and other industries.

Industrial Project Opportunities

In the MSc dissertation, students either conduct 'in-house' laboratory based projects or are placed in an industrial or commercial setting where they undertake environmental management system assessments or technical design analyses.

Examples of Dissertation Titles

• Electroporation as a novel bio-intensification approach

• Continuous bioethanol production using immobilized yeast cells

• Carbon fixation using cyanobacteria

• Novel techniques for purification of pluripotent stem cells

About the Course Director

Dr Nik Willoughby is a member of staff in the Chemical Engineering Department of the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences. Staff in the School have over 20 years experience in Bioprocessing and related areas and extensive industrial experience. The School has recently made significant investments in the facilities for this research-area and now boasts state-of-the-art laboratories for microbiological and cell culture work up to GM(II).