The Right Choice
Biotechnology is widely believed to be the key science for the 21st century. It spans all aspects of the engineering of biological systems for the benefit of health, industry, agriculture, society and the environment.
Biotechnology exploits new scientific developments ranging from stem cell therapies and new drugs based on molecular understanding to genetically engineered crops. This new Biotechnology degree programme combines the excellent bioscience teaching at Cardiff University with strong links to industry, business and entrepreneurship, and incorporates a one year training placement to provide the ideal start of your career. Due to the interdisciplinary and applied nature of biotechnology, biotechnologists gain a wide skill set and find a broad range of opportunities open to them. This programme is designed to equip our graduates with skills and understanding to make them highly employable in order to build a career in this fast moving sector.
The new 4 Year Cardiff Biotechnology degree aims to provide you with an excellent knowledge in basic and applied biological sciences, together with a strong practical component allied to industry, business and entrepreneurship. Jobs in the Biotechnology sector have increased significantly over the past ten years and this trend is set to continue as Europe restructures and increases its focus on knowledge-based industries. The range of employment and opportunities for Biotechnology graduates extends from further study for a PhD, to laboratory-based technically-oriented positions in academic and commercial organisations, as well as leading on to scientific, legal, marketing and managerial positions in business, industry and Government, where there is an increasing demand for graduates with an appropriate science background. This programme is designed to equip our graduates with the skills and understanding to build a career in this fast moving sector.
Modern Biotechnology is about using the recent advances in our understanding of biological systems and processes for the benefit of mankind. The sequencing of the human genome, the understanding of the structure and function of enzymes and other proteins and an explosion in the amount of biological information concerning DNA sequence and gene expression now allow us to design and apply biological molecules and organisms for a wide range of purposes and technological applications. These range from the development of new drugs based on molecular understanding and new treatments such as stem cell therapies to new generations of genetically engineered crops, novel diagnostics and clean industrial processes. However, underpinning all these applications is a detailed understanding of the biosciences involved, and this necessarily forms the major part of the new Biotechnology Degree course.
Is Biotechnology for me?
If you are excited not only by the latest advances in biological sciences, but also about how science can be used, and how inventions made in the laboratory can be turned into new products and processes for the benefit of the economy and society then this is the course for you. We aim to give you the added value of combining a strong biological sciences training with an appreciation and experience of the interface between science and business in a stimulating and rewarding environment. You will spend a year in a science-oriented business placement, which according to your interests can be either laboratory or office research based. You will receive specific teaching in the basics of entrepreneurship and business and have the opportunity to join in extra-curricular activities aimed at giving you further hands-on experience in developing business plans and ideas. The wide skill set and experience together with your strong practical science knowledge provides an excellent all round training for a range of future careers.
