Semester 2

The second semester consists of one core module and any three of six specialist modules, and includes the completion of the year-long research project.

Biopharmaceutical bioprocessing (Core module)

This is a core module that provides students with an awareness of bioproduct manufacturing technology, especially with respect to biopharmaceutical bioprocessing. Generic examples of cell engineering, metabolic engineering, upstream and downstream unit operations and other related topics such as biopharmaceutical formulation, bioproduct analysis and systems engineering will be covered with reference to particular products and processes.

Microfluidics (Specialist optional module)

In this specialist module the graduate student will gain an understanding of the range of processes that can be conducted in microfluidic devices and learn the fundamental physicochemical hydrodynamics necessary to analyse and design microfluidic devices.

Bio-energy (Specialist optional module)

This module gives an overview of the current and future technologies for deriving energy from biological sources. Source, production and properties of biofuels, such as bio-methane, bio-ethanol, bio-hydrogen and bio-diesel will be explored. Storage and handling of the biofuels will be covered. Biomass as a source for combustion and its properties will also be considered.

Synthetic Biology (Specialist optional module)

Synthetic biology is a rapidly emerging new field that seeks to employ engineering design principles and modularity to the design and construction of organisms for useful purposes. These applications include biofuels and economically manufactured pharmaceutical products. This module introduces the principles of synthetic biology and the ethical, social and legal implications.

Tissue Engineering approaches to failure in living systems (Specialist optional module)

This module is conducted by the Department of Engineering Materials. It explores tissue and biomedical engineering approaches to address disease, failure and old age in the human system. A theme throughout the module considers common forms of pathology or injury to tissues and current therapeutic approaches and then uses this as a basis to explore the tissue engineering and biomedical approaches to problems associated with aging.

Bionanomaterials (Specialist optional module)

This is a specialist module conducted by the Department of Engineering Materials. It introduces basic concepts of cell and molecular biology, before looking at examples of how biomolecules can be used for designing nano-structures, and the use of these nano-structures in biological and medical applications.

Stem Cell Biology (Specialist optional module)

This specialist module is conducted by the Department of Biomedical Sciences, and provides the graduate student with an in-depth knowledge of the application of stem-cell biology to regenerative medicine. The module is designed with due consideration to existing and potential clinical use of stem cells and their derivatives, and of the ethical issues that these raise.

Research Project (Core module)

This module is continued from the first semester. In the second semester, the student will work in more detail on the chosen research project and complete it with the submission of a dissertation. The project will be supervised by one or more members of the academic and research staff. The students will also get an opportunity to present their work in the form of oral and poster presentations, in addition to a written dissertation, for assessment.