LONDON'S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
Biotechnology BSc
UCAS code: C560
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/biochemtech
Biotechnology BSc
The Biotechnology BSc provides a sound base
of chemistry, genetics, biochemistry and
molecular biotechnology alongside experience
of the experimental skills essential for future
research, equipping you for a career in this
exciting discipline, which has grown out of some
of the most dramatic scientific discoveries of the
last 30 years.
Degree summary
•
The UCL Biotechnology BSc degree is one of only a few which
provide biochemical engineering as a significant component of each
of the three years of study.
•
UCL is one of Europe's largest academic centres for research in
biotechnology, with two major research units, the Interdisciplinary
Research Centre for Biochemical Engineering and Molecular Cell
Biology, based here.
•
You will have the opportunity to take a one-year placement in
industry; working in a suitable industrial or research laboratory before
your final year of study.
•
Our excellent resources include a computer graphics facility,
fermenters for plant or animal cell culture and equipment for
biomolecular structure analysis.
In the first year of the programme you will take compulsory core courses
that are similar to those taken in the first year of other biological science
programmes. In year two, you take a number of compulsory courses, but
with some optional flexibility, which increases in year three.
You will also take certain compulsory courses in the UCL Biochemical
Engineering.
You may also elect to spend an additional year, after year two, gaining
invaluable experience in an industrial or research laboratory. Your project
report from this year will count towards your degree.
The final year of your degree will focus principally on an individual
research project.
Your learning
Biotechnology is a practical science and you can expect to spend much
of your time either in wet laboratories, where you will handle chemicals
and biological materials, or in dry laboratories, where computer
simulations and exercises are carried out.
The programme also includes lectures and small-group tutorials, and you
will use an online learning site (Moodle) to support your studies.
Your assessment will include a combination of examinations, coursework,
practical work, tutorial work and presentations. Many courses have
in-course tests (web-based or written) and all courses have an unseen
final examination.
Your career
You will acquire a range of specific and transferable skills, including time
management and planning, technical laboratory skills such as manual
dexterity and analysis of data, and skills in teamwork, negotiation and
decision-making.
This BSc provides access to a wide variety of careers, and employment
prospects are set to improve further over the next decade. Industry needs
a large number of trained biotechnologists for the manufacture of
biological products such as pharmaceuticals and speciality chemicals.
Food and beverage manufacturers are increasingly embracing
biotechnology.
First career destinations of recent graduates (2010-2013) of this
programme include:
•
•
•
Full-time student, MSc in Drug Design at UCL
Full-time student, PhD in Cancer Research at UCL
Full-time student, MSc in Biochemical Engineering at UCL
Degree structure
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual courses,
normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for
the year. Courses are assessed in the academic year in which they are
taken. The balance of compulsory and optional courses varies from
programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered
equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Year One
Compulsory courses
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Chemistry for Biologists
Introduction to Biochemical Engineering
Introduction to Microbiology
The Principles and Practice of Experimental Biochemistry
Optional courses
All first year courses are compulsory.
Year Two
Compulsory courses
Cell Biology
Biomolecular Structure and Function
Downstream Processing
Evaluation & Planning of Business Opportunities in Bioprocessing & Life
Sciences
Introduction to Bioprocess Design Principles
Molecular Biology
Optional courses
You will select 0.5 credits from a wide range of optional courses.
Final Year
Compulsory courses
Research Project in Biotechnology (1.5 credits) or Literature Review (1.0
credits)
Biochemical Reactor Engineering
Bioprocess Design Study
Optional courses
You will select either 1.5 or 2.0 credits from a wide range of final-year
options, depending on the compulsory course chosen.
Entry requirements
A levels
If you live in the UK, and we are considering offering you a place, you will
be invited to attend an applicant open day. This will involve talks from
staff about the programme and the department, a tour of UCL and a visit
to a laboratory.
A level grades
AAA
A level subjects
Chemistry required plus one from Biology,
Mathematics or Physics.
UK/EU fee
£9,000 (2016/17)
AS levels
For UK-based students a pass in a further subject
at AS level or equivalent is required.
Overseas fee
£21,320 (2016/17)
Notes
GCSE
English Language and Mathematics at grade B.
For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent
in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek,
Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL
provides opportunities to meet the foreign
language requirement following enrolment,
further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
Details about financial support are available at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/study/ug-finance
Contacts
IB diploma
IB points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects
including Chemistry at grade 6, and one subject
from Biology, Mathematics or Physics, with no
score below 5.
Other qualifications
Full lists of all degree programmes and other entry requirements can be
found on our website at: www.ucl.ac.uk/otherquals
Undergraduate Preparatory
Certificates
UCL's Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive
one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic
potential, who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree
programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
For more information see our website: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc
Your application
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at
school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however,
applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United
Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
We use your predicted or achieved academic qualifications, your
personal statement and reference to decide whether to offer you a place.
Evidence of sustained interest in science, such as involvement in a
science debating society, and of activities that demonstrate your
self-motivation and organisational skills, will be considered favourably.
PDF Updated: February 19, 2016
Information correct at time of going to press. See website (www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/biochemtech) for latest information
Fees
Contact
Ms Marcella Baterip
Admissions Administrator
Email
biosciences-admissions@ucl.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7679 7169
Prospectus entry
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/biochemtech
Key facts
REF
82% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3*
(‘internationally excellent’)
Department
Division of Biosciences
Faculty
Life Sciences