Programme Title

MSc Molecular Biology & Biotechnology

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Science

Programme Code

MBB-MSC-S

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100948

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

1 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

180

Exit Awards available

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Biological Sciences

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food and consumer sciences (2009)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

N/A

Programme Specific Regulations

Awards, Credits & Progression of Learning Outcomes
A candidate who fails to satisfy the Board of Examiners for the award of an MSc may, provided a satisfactory standard has been achieved (and on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners), be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma according to the regulations contained in the corresponding programme specification.

Students with protected characteristics

The programme does not contain barriers to access or progression among protected groups.

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Students will develop their transferable skills to a NQF M-level standard. These skills can be subdivided as:

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Most elements of the course require interacting sets of skills to reach the learning outcomes. With reference to the key skills standards the practice and assessment of skills can be summarized as follows:

Methods of Assessment

Written course work

a) Working with others

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Working in different modes, on individual research and in collaborative groups is discussed with students at various points in the programme. Different elements of course work contain group-based activities.

Methods of Assessment

Feedback and assessment on group performance is given by teaching staff.

b) Problem solving

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Problem solving is practised in course work assignments and in the research project. Intellectual and practical flexibility, along with creativity, are necessary for much scientific research. Students are directed to generic sources of assistance and guidance within the University.

Methods of Assessment

Assessments in the subject specific module include elements of problem solving.

c) Improving own learning and performance

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students are encouraged to reflect on their learning through feedback given formally and informally. Research projects and literature reviews are chosen following discussion and reflection on personal goals and motivation for different types of research. Personal goals and effectiveness are discussed as part of the teaching in generic module.

Methods of Assessment

Students are expected to assess their own performance using evidence from course work and interactions with peers and teaching staff.

d) Information technology

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Learning is generally supported through IT-based resources. Students therefore develop skills in internet searching for literature and other web-based material. Email is used to communicate with the students and use of this resource is covered (along with online databases and use of library catalogues) in BBC8042. Students produce coursework assessments using different packages (word-processing, graphics).

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is carried out in formative and summative contexts.

e) Communication

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students practise and develop communication skills throughout the course. Skills development is facilitated through feedback. Students prepare work for different audiences. Communication skills include the preparation of slides for scientific talks and posters.

Methods of Assessment

Tutorials and seminars

f) Application of number skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students develop numerical skills through discussions of the evidence underlying different pieces of scientific research (in lectures and seminars), and through practice in statistics workshops and the research project.

Methods of Assessment

Written course work, tutorials, seminars

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

On completion of this course students should be able to deal with complex problems in molecular biology and biotechnology in a logical and scientific manner

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific knowledge is principally taught through the specialist modules in Biotechnology, Protein Structure and Function and Advanced Molecular Biology (BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046).
In-depth knowledge of a specific area is developed through supervised research in the Literature Review (BBC8025) and Project Modules (BBC8001).
BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046 are taught through lectures and seminars, supported by directed reading of textbooks and journal articles.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of knowledge is carried out by continuous assessment of written work

make sound scientific judgements based on the proper analysis of available data;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific knowledge is principally taught through the specialist modules in Biotechnology, Protein Structure and Function and Advanced Molecular Biology (BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046).
In-depth knowledge of a specific area is developed through supervised research in the Literature Review (BBC8025) and Project Modules (BBC8001).
BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046 are taught through lectures and seminars, supported by directed reading of textbooks and journal articles.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of knowledge is carried out by continuous assessment of written work

communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific knowledge is principally taught through the specialist modules in Biotechnology, Protein Structure and Function and Advanced Molecular Biology (BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046).
In-depth knowledge of a specific area is developed through supervised research in the Literature Review (BBC8025) and Project Modules (BBC8001).
BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046 are taught through lectures and seminars, supported by directed reading of textbooks and journal articles.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of knowledge is carried out by continuous assessment of written work

demonstrate personal initiative, independent and team-oriented skills in tackling and solving problems and to demonstrate the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific knowledge is principally taught through the specialist modules in Biotechnology, Protein Structure and Function and Advanced Molecular Biology (BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046).
In-depth knowledge of a specific area is developed through supervised research in the Literature Review (BBC8025) and Project Modules (BBC8001).
BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046 are taught through lectures and seminars, supported by directed reading of textbooks and journal articles.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of knowledge is carried out by continuous assessment of written work

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

demonstrate subject specific knowledge of molecular biology and biotechnology.
In particular, students will be able to appreciate a range of methodologies used in modern life science research including their application, strengths, weaknesses and appropriateness.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The underlying skills for research are emphasized in Foundations for Research in the Biosciences (BBC8042).
These lectures are supplemented by learning in the other modules of the programme. Students practise bibliographic search skills through a comparison of different online databases.
The underlying subject specific science taught in the specialist modules in Biotechnology, Protein Structure and Function and Advanced Molecular Biology (BBC8038, 8039 and BBC8046) is augmented by in-depth knowledge of a specific area developed in the Literature Review (BBC8025) and Project Modules BBC8001).
BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046 are taught through lectures and seminars, supported by directed reading of textbooks and journal articles.
Database skills are taught with individual students completing a structured online literature search.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of subject specific skills is carried out by continuous assessment of written work

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

make sound scientific judgments in the absence of complete data and be able to retrieve, analyse and apply scientific information from various sources

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will develop the cognitive skills of analysis and evaluation through six of the modules: Foundations for Research in the Biosciences (BBC8042), Protein Structure and Function (BBC8039), Advanced Molecular Biology (BBC8046), Bio-entrepreneurship (BBC8047), Literature Review (BIO8306) and the Research Project (BBC8003). BBC8042, BBC8038, BBC8039, BBC8047 and BBC8046 are classroom based, with lectures, directed reading and seminars.
In comparison, the Literature Review and Research Project require the students to work independently, guided by a supervisor or tutor.
Skills in judgement of evidence and synthesis are practised and demonstrated through group learning activities and problem-based exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Cognitive skills are assessed throughout the programme by submission of written course work in BBC8042, BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046 modules.

Evaluation and analysis skills are assessed throughout the programme by submission of written course work in BBC8042, BBC8038, BBC8039 and BBC8046 modules and specifically mentioned in the marking criteria for the project and literature review (BBC8003 and BIO8306)