THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2025/2026

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.
University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : DPTs :  School of Biological Sciences DPTs

Degree Programme Table: Biotechnology (MSc) (PTMSCBIOTE1F)

Jump to: Year 1

Year 1 Academic year: 2025/26, Starting in: September

Notes:
1. Students are not allowed to take more than a total of 30 credits below level 11. Please note that spaces are limited on Enzymology and Biological Production and Gene Expression and Microbial Regulation and priority is given to Honours students.

2. Due to similarity in content, please note only ONE of the following three courses can be taken: Python Programming for the Life Sciences, Introduction to Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Programming and System Management.

3. An alternative appropriate course may be substituted with the permission of the Programme Director.

Compulsory courses

You must take these courses
Research Project or Industrial Placement (MSc Biotechnology)

Must be passed at 50% and taken during Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond

PGBI11065 60 credits
Economics & Innovation in the Biotechnology Industry

Must be taken during Semester 1

BITE11003 20 credits
Research Project Proposal (Biotechnology)

Must be taken during Semester 2

PGBI11105 10 credits

Course options

Group A

Select exactly 90 credits in this group.

MSc Biotechnology Compulsory Course Choices

Select between 10 and 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
Students will need to take at least 10 credits from the following options. Please note that both of these courses may be chosen, but may not be possible to guarantee due to demand.

Principles of Industrial Biotechnology is taken in Semester 1. Metagenomics is taken in Semester 2.
Metagenomics
BITE11004 10 credits
Principles of Industrial Biotechnology
PGBI11103 10 credits
AND

Biological Sciences - Biotechnology (MSc & PgDip) - Optional Courses for semester 1

Select between 30 and 40 credits of the following courses
Notes:
If a student chooses Principles of Industrial Biotechnology above, they will need to choose 30 credits from this list.

Please note it is NOT permitted to take both 'Automation and Industry' and 'Practical Skills in Biochemistry A' due to similarity in content.
Selected courses must be taken during Semester 1
Python Programming for the Life Sciences
BICH11008 10 credits
Practical Skills in Biochemistry A
BICH11009 20 credits
Enzymology and Biological Production
BITE10001 10 credits
Gene Expression and Microbial Regulation
BITE10010 10 credits
Bioinformatics Programming and System Management
PGBI11095 20 credits
Biochemistry A
PGBI11100 10 credits
The Origins of Synthetic Biology
PGBI11116 10 credits
Automation and Industry
PGBI11118 10 credits
Biodesign for Sustainability
PGBI11127 10 credits
Tools for Synthetic Biology
PGBI11128 20 credits
Modelling and Measuring Drug/Protein Interactions
PGBI11131 20 credits
Plant Biotechnology
PLSC10023 10 credits
Stem Cells and Industry
STEM11006 20 credits
AND

Biological Sciences - Biotechnology - Optional Course Semester 2

Select between 40 and 50 credits of the following courses
Notes:
If a student chooses Metagenomics above, they will need to choose 40 credits in this list.

Students can choose EITHER the 10-credit OR the 20-credit version of Social Dimensions for Systems and Synthetic Biology as an optional course. The 20 credit version of the course provides a more in-depth exploration of the social, ethical and political issues inherent to synthetic biology.

Students may not take more than two of the following four courses without special permission from their Programme Director:
PGBI11090 Industry and Entrepreneurship in Biotechnology
CMSE11202 Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship
PGSP11331 Biobusiness
PGBI11049 Commercial Aspects of Drug Discovery
Selected courses must be taken during Semester 2
Practical Skills in Biochemistry B
BILG11015 20 credits
Innovation-driven Entrepreneurship
CMSE11202 10 credits
Commercial Aspects of Drug Discovery
PGBI11049 10 credits
Industry and Entrepreneurship in Biotechnology
PGBI11090 10 credits
Biochemistry B
PGBI11101 10 credits
Vaccines and Molecular Therapies
PGBI11108 10 credits
Biological Structure and Drug Function
PGBI11130 20 credits
Introduction to Bioinformatics
PGBI11137 10 credits
Engineering Biology
PGBI11138 10 credits
Biobusiness
PGSP11331 20 credits
Social Dimensions of Systems and Synthetic Biology
PGSP11476 20 credits
Social Dimensions of Systems and Synthetic Biology
STIS11004 10 credits
General Disclaimer
Privacy & cookies
© Copyright 2025 The University of Edinburgh - 30 April 2025 8:32 pm