MSc Biotechnology Programme Specification 2023-24_.xlsx

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2024-25
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5	Programme Title			MSc Biotechnology
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			September 2024			Award type			MSc
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9	What level is this qualification?			7			Length of programme			1 year
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11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full
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13	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes			For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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15	Awarding institution			University of York			Board of Studies for the programme			Biology
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17	Lead department			Biology			Other contributing departments			N/A
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19	Language of study and assessment			English			Language(s) of assessment			English
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21	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus-based
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23	Partner organisations
24	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
25	No
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27	Reference points
28	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
29	University's framework for programme design (PGT)
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31	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
32	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
33	No
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35	Exceptions to Regulations
36	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
37	No exceptions
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39	Internal Transfers
40	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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42		Transfers in:	No				Transfers out:	No
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45	Statement of Purpose
46	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
47	We need to reduce the dependency on old technologies and industries that are harmful to ourselves and the health of the planet. How can Biologists contribute solutions to this global problem? Biotechnology offers innovative and efficient approaches to produce high-value products via the application and development of natural, modified or synthetic biological resources. The University of York Biology department is consistently ranked as one of the best in the UK with an outstanding global reputation for research and teaching with world-class facilities. Our biotechnology researchers are using microbial, algal, plant and animal systems to address global challenges in sustainable food, fuel and medicine production. The Biotechnology programme is aimed at students who have completed a broad based bioscience degree and now wish to specialise. It begins with modules in Biotechnology, Data Analysis and Programming, and Research, Professional and Team Skills. These introduce relevant subject knowledge and scientific literature in Biotechnology and train you in the essential computational tools and research skills needed to conduct both collaborative and independent research projects. In the second semester you will design and execute a group project alongside taking a research seminars module in Industrial Biotechnology which focuses on in-depth case studies from York scientists, taught through interactive seminars. You will then undertake an extended independent research project in the final semester. The written, oral and graphical presentation of scientific data and ideas will be integral to the assessment of both projects. By undertaking this programme, you will therefore receive a thorough grounding in Biotechnological research that will enable you to pursue a PhD or a range of other specialist career paths within an industrial or academic setting.
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58	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
59	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?				Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
60	Postgraduate certificate in Biotechnology			Exit only	1. Construct summaries of scientific literature with some criticality that demonstrate understanding of the concepts and approaches at the forefront of research in Biotechnology. 2. Undertake data analysis 3. Describe state-of-the-art experimental and analytical approaches in Biotechnology 4. Produce written, oral and other academic communications about the impact of Biotechnology in real-world and global issues to a variety of audiences				Semester 1 Advanced Research Topics in Biotechnology Data Analysis and Programming in the Biosciences Research, Professional and Team Skills
61	Postgraduate diploma in Biotechnology			Exit only	1. Construct critical evaluations and summaries of scientific literature that demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and approaches at the forefront of research in Biotechnology. 2. Design Bioinformatic analyses of biological data 3. Show understanding, with some criticality, state-of-the-art experimental and analytical approaches in Biotechnology, drawing upon first-hand experience of research 4. Produce written, oral and other academic communications, to describe and evaluate the impact of Biotechnology in real-world and global issues, and report to a variety of audiences 5. Work in collaborative groups to create scientific insight for a range of challenges in the Biotechnology. 6. Apply technical expertise, practical experience and other transferable skills to a wide range of working environments including research groups, industries and enterprises relating to Biotechnology				Semesters 1 and 2 Advanced Research Topics in Biotechnology Data Analysis and Programming in the Biosciences Research, Professional and Team Skills Industrial Biotechnology Group Project Research Plan
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63	Programme Learning Outcomes
64	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
65	1	Construct critical evaluations and summaries of scientific literature that demonstrate a deep understanding of the concepts and approaches at the forefront of research in Biotechnology.
66	2	Competently undertake the design of experiments for the collection, analysis and modelling of data, and carry out research tasks in Biotechnology with autonomy and independence
67	3	Evaluate state-of-the-art experimental and analytical approaches in Biotechnology, drawing upon first-hand practical experience working in research laboratories.
68	4	Work with a minimum of guidance and supervision as an individual, team member or leader in collaborative groups, and use their initiative and originality to investigate sustainable and ethical solutions to bioscience problems.
69	5	Critically evaluate and communicate Biotechnological research and its application in a variety of written and spoken formats
70	6	Apply their technical expertise, practical experience and other transferable skills to a wide range of working environments including research laboratories, industries and enterprises relating to Biotechnology.
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72	Diverse entry routes
73	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
74	As a department, Biology is committed to ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds can thrive academically and support is embedded within programmes. Our taught masters programmes have small group teaching and are carefully designed to be progressive: laboratory skills are taught under close supervision at the start of the course with independent practice coming at the end. Modules contain multiple formative assessments with feedback along with sessions to specifically support the assessment tasks including writing and presenting workshops. We recognise the diversity of students’ experiences, competencies, skills and knowledge and understand that there are many ways to test and show learning. This means we take an inclusive and varied approach to assessment to allow all students to demonstrate their learning and understanding. Students have regular meetings with their academic supervisor who can signpost support at the Writing Centre and the Maths Skills Centre. We have a community of taught postgraduate students who share some teaching and social activities and a dedicated Director for Students responsible for the student experience.
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81	Inclusion
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83	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.										TRUE
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85	Employability
86	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
87	This course is an essential step into further research or a career in biotechnology for students with a BSc in the biosciences. Around half of our students are expected to pursue further study, while the other half go into industry. In addition to gaining experience in a range of current laboratory techniques, students will develop skills in: critical thinking; reproducibe data analysis visualisation and interpretation; statistics and programming; written, oral and graphical presentation of scientific ideas and data; team work and collaboration. The semester 1 module: 'Research, professional and team skills' has a particular emphasis on employability.
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93	[For Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes Only]
94	Are you offering any variations of this programme, such as additional years abroad or industry?
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96	Year abroad			FALSE		Will the year abroad programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?				N/A
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98	Year in industry			FALSE		Will the year in industry programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?				N/A
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100	Year in enterprise			FALSE