Clinical Trials Design
About
This module will introduce students to the new and rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field of synthetic biology which aims to reprogram cellular and/or molecular systems at the genetic level for novel biological outputs. Such products are of great potential commercially in the fields of medicine, agriculture and manufacturing.
There is an increasing need to equip scientists with the knowledge and skills to pursue synthetic biology research in academic and industry settings. On this course, students will cover foundational concepts and the core engineering principles of standardization, modularity and abstraction for rapid prototyping of designs for biotechnological innovation. They will also have the opportunity to conduct a computational project for the design of a genetic circuit.
If you have a strong background in molecular biology and genetic engineering, and are interested in biotechnological innovation, then this is the course for you. Prior knowledge in these areas is assumed.
This course will help upskill individuals with a solid background in molecular biology and genetic engineering for synthetic biology research. It will be especially helpful for those who wish to pursue a career in the biotechnology industry.
Term dates
10 March - 18 April 2025
Semester 2: weeks 7-12 (6 weeks)
Attendance
This course is delivered over a 6 week period, with students required to attend 3 hrs per week.
Location
This course is taught on the Coleraine campus.
Teaching and Assessment
This course is 100% coursework and consists of:
1. An open book test (60%) which will assess higher orders of thinking related to the course content (application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation).
2. A computational practical skills assessment (40%) where the student has to design a genetic circuit for the detection of viral nucleic acid.
Academic Profile
You will be taught by senior academic staff with expertise in molecular microbiology and computational biology. All staff are Fellows of the Higher Educational Academy and research active with a strong research portfolio.
Further Information
Module
This is a 15 credit module short course - see the about section for details of content.
Entry requirements
Second class honours degree or better in Biology/ Biomedical Sciences/ Biochemistry/ Biotechnology/ Microbiology from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or an equivalent standard (minimum 50%).
Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).
In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are over 18 years of age;
- are eligible to work in Northern Ireland;
- are ‘settled’ in Northern Ireland, and has been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years; or
- are a person who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements
Apply now - limited places available
There are a limited number of places for this course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all places are filled. Applications can not be considered once a course has started.
Please note you can only be funded by DfE for a maximum of two courses at any one time (including modules to a total of 45 credits per semester - if studying part-time).
- Click on the Apply Now button.
- This will take you to the online application system – if you have never used this before please click on First Time user account creation and create an account.
- Log into the system and click on New – create a new application.
- Choose Professional Develop Postgrad as the Application Type
- Choose Admission Term Academic Year 2024-2025 and complete your details.
- Click the Fill Out Application button.
- Click on Programme Selection.
- In the programme choice dropdown please choose: PG Cred Upskilling SKILLS PT Derry~Londonderry.
- Please type the title of the short course you wish to study in the box below the programme choice: Synthetic Biology.
- For the question, Are you applying for a funded place on one of the DfE Skills programmes?, select Yes.
- Please complete all required application sections.
- Ensure your application is complete and then submit.
- You will receive a confirmation email that the application has been submitted, please ensure you check your junk mail as well as the inbox of the e-mail address listed on your application.
- If you have sent all required information and you have been successful, you will receive an unconditional offer. You must accept this offer via email and confirm acceptance online to secure your place.
- If you have not sent all required information, you will be asked to send outstanding items. If a place is still available and you have met all requirements, you will receive an unconditional offer. You must accept this offer via email and confirm acceptance online to secure your place.
IMPORTANT: If we have requested additional items, you do not have a guaranteed place. You may lose your space if you do not provide any required information by the deadline supplied in the Request for documentation Email - Once your place is accepted, you will receive an enrolment email. You must complete the online enrolment to confirm your place and start your course.