Industrial Biotechnology & Biomanufacturing
This interdisciplinary degree combines microbiology, biotechnology, and process & chemical engineering and caters to those of you coming from biological, chemical, or engineering backgrounds.
There is a strong emphasis on industry-relevant and practical skills training alongside state-of-the-art academic content.
| Award Name | Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | Postgraduate Diploma (Level 9 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 9 NFQ |
| Postgraduate Diploma (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
12 months full-time.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have obtained at least a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a subject(s) related to the programme. These include Process and Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or another relevant engineering or life-science subject.
Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements as stated above but who present with significant and directly relevant work experience. An interview may also be required for such applicants.
Applicants from Tecnológico de Monterrey are also eligible to apply if they have completed four years (240 credits) on the BS Biotechnology Engineering programme having achieved an aggregate score equivalent to Second Class Honours, Grade 1.
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Our MEngSc Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing graduates will be highly sought-after in the bioeconomy sector, which includes food production, bioenergy generation, biomanufacturing, and industrial biotechnology. There is already a global shortage of scientists and engineers for these industries and thus opportunities will continue to increase as the sector expands. These opportunities will be global as all countries are implementing policies to implement the circular, bio-based economy.
As an MEngSc graduate, you will not only have the technical (science and engineering) skills needed to develop solutions, but you will also have the transversal personal skills and attributes that are vital for work in the industrial sector.
Further information
Start Date: September 2024
Closing Date
Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Course Outline
Our MEngSc in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing is taught by staff from the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science at UCC in Ireland. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills for careers in industrial biotechnology, engineering biology, biomanufacturing, biorefinery, and bio-economy sectors.
This interdisciplinary degree combines microbiology, biotechnology, and process & chemical engineering and caters to those of you coming from biological, chemical, or engineering backgrounds. There is a strong emphasis on industry-relevant and practical skills training alongside state-of-the-art academic content. As well as learning how to develop bioprocess solutions, you will acquire employment-related skills such as planning, teamwork, negotiating, communicating, and presenting ideas and results in written and oral format.
Our MEngSc graduates will be highly sought-after by industry as they will possess the skills that are required to implement the societal transition from its fossil resource dependency to a sustainable, circular, bio-based economy. This transition is fundamental if national and international climate and sustainability targets are to be achieved.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
The MEngSc programme has a research dissertation module that can be undertaken at an academic institution or industrial location in Ireland or abroad. If you wish to undertake an international placement this will be arranged through the network of academic and industrial collaborations already in place with the programme.
The MEngSc comprises two components, 60 credits of coursework via taught modules and a research dissertation based on independent research worth 30 credits.
Modules
MB6004 Advanced Molecular Microbial Biotechnology (5 credits)
MB6015 Microbial Strain Engineering (5 credits)
MB6016 Microbial Physiology in Bioreactors (5 credits)
MB6017 Biorefinery Concepts for the Bio-based Economy (5 credits)
PE6037 Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Bioprocessing (5 credits)
PE6038 Industrial Bioprocessing Systems (5 credits)
PE6039 Manufacturing Excellence in the Bioprocessing Industries (5 credits)
PE6040 Engineering Principles and Operation of Microbial Bioprocesses (10 credits)
PE6041 Bioprocess Design Studio (10 credits)
PE6042 Sustainable Biochemical Engineering (5 credits)
MB6020 Dissertation in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing (30 credits)
You will be mainly assessed by continuous assessment, which is a feature of all modules in this course. There will be a strong focus on group work, reflecting the norm in industry and enabling our students to acquire a broad portfolio of relevant skills. The research project will be assessed via the dissertation that the student submits.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of MEngSc, you should be able to:
• Select, design, construct, and develop microbial strains for application in biotechnology.
• Develop and implement bioprocesses at increasing scales.
• Integrate strain and bioprocess development in a holistic way by combining biological and engineering principles.
• Implement state-of-the-art methodologies for both strain engineering and bioprocess development, monitoring, and smart control.
• Critically evaluate the parameters required for bioprocess development including concepts like techno-economic feasibility and Life Cycle Assessment.
• Apply the latest concepts in data analytics and bioprocess monitoring including aspects of digitalisation and digital twinning.
• Work professionally and effectively in a team, to undertake research and development to build new bioprocess for novel applications.
• Appreciate the importance of the societal aspects of industrial biotechnology, including concepts like the regulatory environment, ethical research, and safe and sustainable design.
• Complete a body of independent research in an area related to biotechnology or biomanufacturing and present research findings in a dissertation.
Professor John Morrissey
e: j.morrissey@ucc.ie
t: +353 (0)21 490 2392
w: https://www.ucc.ie/en/microbiology/
Professor Maria de Sousa Gallagher
e: m.desousagallagher@ucc.ie
t: +353 (0)21 490 3594
w: https://www.ucc.ie/en/processeng/