Biochemical engineering translates life science discoveries into new products and sustainable manufacturing processes. You will learn the applied biology, maths and engineering thinking needed to produce biopharmaceuticals, make biofuels, manufacture vaccines or grow stem cells for therapy. The MEng offers an extra year on top of the Biochemical Engineering BEng to gain research experience and take advanced modules.

What this course will give you

• The department has one of the most modern and comprehensive biochemical engineering facilities of any university in the world. Valued at over £35 million, our facilities attract leading industrial collaborators from the biopharmaceutical, cell therapy and industrial biotechnology sectors. Practicals and research projects will equip you with cutting-edge skills.

• The additional year enables you to gain research independence and build depth. The Year in Industry and Study Abroad options offer exciting possibilities for students to specialise or add breadth to their core intedisciplinary knowledge from the BEng programme.

Your learning

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, case studies, team-based projects and laboratory and pilot-plant based practicals. Leading industrialists and researchers regularly visit the department to give guest lectures. Our programmes offer regular opportunities for students to put their learning into practice through the use of scenarios. Case studies and the Design Project are conducted in small teams, with your tutors offering individual support.

Assessment

Diverse forms of assessments linked to learning outcomes are designed to test a broad range of skills. Modules at the start of the degree are assessed via 2-3 pieces of coursework and an unseen examination at the end of the year. Problem-based activities may be assessed by individual or group reports, oral or poster presentations.

Careers

The core science, engineering, business and leadership skills that you acquire will provide you with excellent and diverse career prospects. In addition to your core subject knowledge, the programme will provide you with skills such as innovative thinking, team-working and computing.

The excitement of taking biological advances towards new medicines and greener sustainable processes is creating an ever-growing need for biochemical engineering graduates in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biofuels, chemical, environment and food industries.

After graduation you will be equipped for a wide range of roles: from conducting research and designing manufacturing facilities to contributing to specific aspects of bioprocess development. Many of our graduates work on managing the multi-million pound investments that produce life science drugs. As this field is new and constantly innovating, many students go on to pursue doctorates, often in collaboration with industry.