What is biotechnology? Biotechnology is a subject that combines biological science and technology to develop innovative products by changing the genetic make-up of biological cells. Biotechnology impacts on the quality of our lives and the world we live in.Biotechnologists tackle global issues in healthcare, energy, environment, food, and agriculture to:develop new life-saving medicinesfeed growing populations by generating plants with better nutritional valuereduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing cleaner biofuelsWhat you'll studyIn the first three years of this integrated masters degree you will be introduced to the fundamental aspects of biotechnology, genetic manipulations, and cellular processes relating to plants, microbes and animals. In the final year you will do a research project on ground-breaking research topics addressing global challenges.microbial biotechnology – learn how to genetically manipulate microorganisms to make better medicines, ensure food safety, and remediate the environmentplant biotechnology – enhance the nutritional value of plants and develop more resistant cropsanimal biotechnology – understand animal nutrition, growth and welfare, and how biotech can be used to develop new disease treatmentsThroughout the degree you can choose the aspects of biotech that interest you most.Careers overviewIndustries that need biotechnologists include:pharmaceuticalshealthcarebioenergygreen chemicalsagriculturefood productionYou can work in research and development (R&D), quality, operations, sales and business development.You could specialise in one area, which could include:stem cell research and regenerative medicinemicrobial sciences and antibiotic-resistant bacteriabiochemistry and plant science