Undergraduate Biotechnology 2022-2023

This course will look at biomedical discoveries and explore the mechanisms by which these “inventions” can be developed into innovative outcomes and products with commercial and/or therapeutic value.

Entrepreneurship is so much more than just having a “Eureka!” moment.  In this course we will look at how that blinding flash of inspiration (or just a “huh, that’s weird!?”) can be capitalised upon and turned into something valuable.

• “Chance favours the prepared mind” (Pasteur)
• “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” (Seneca)
• “The inventor turns money into innovation, but the [bio]entrepreneur turns [biomedical] innovation into money” (unknown)

This course will aim to bring out the “bioentrepreneur” in you and allow you to develop a “prepared mind” for when that stroke of genius, or just a “huh, that’s weird” comes your way.

• A pre-requisite for all students intending to apply for a year’s industrial placement.
• This course covers the skills necessary to complete placement applications by exploring CV preparation, writing covering letters, completing application forms, identification of your skill sets and good interview technique.
• The course will prepare you for the workplace by making you aware of general employability skills and by helping you identify your own transferable skills.

• this course builds on the basic information provided in the introductory course (BT1502);
• the business models used by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry are explained and discussed;
• the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and the basis of freedom to operate are described;
• the basics of setting up a technology led business and how to finance this are also developed

• this is the final course of 3 on Bio-Business and deals in depth with finance, corporate governance and business models;
• the major assessment involves the students working together in teams to set up a virtual bio-business and to pitch this business to a group of experts in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector;
• the team will adopt the roles of senior management team and present to the experts their part of the business

• an industrial placement allows students to experience workplace culture and makes them more effective employees following graduation;
• placements vary considerably but in general terms, students are placed in an industrial, commercial or research environment where they obtain a breadth of practical experience to complement their degree programme;
• students are employed by their host company and can expect to work a normal 40 hour week, possibly on a number of projects, over a full calendar year;
• tutorial assistance from a member of the University academic staff is available via email and / or telephone throughout the year