Simon Baker, Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology

Oxford is a centre for biotechnology. There are 150 companies within eight miles and we’ve got very close links with the Oxford Biotechnology Network. Companies sponsor projects. So students get experience of working in a lab, but it’s not just research for the sake of it – it has application in the commercial world.

I find it rewarding when students start disagreeing with me

We are developing bacterially synthesised surfactants. They biodegrade easily and have similar strengths to the detergents you find in washing powder. However at the moment they cost 50,000 times more, which is a bit of a drawback! So we are collaborating with business students to see how we can make them cheaper.

I find it rewarding when students start disagreeing with me. One student came up with her own protocol for extracting RNA from
blood. I didn’t believe it would work at first, but we sat down and did it together - she was right and I was wrong.

Biological and Medical Sciences

The Department of Biological and Medical Sciences offers you a research-led, dynamic and supportive environment in which to study, along with the unique benefits of the city of Oxford, a centre for scientific research and learning.

Why study at Oxford Brookes?

The quality and impact of our research has been reflected in the UK government’s latest Research Assessment Exercise, where the majority of our research was judged to be world leading or of international standing. Our students benefit from the strong research ethos developed by our academic staff and are thereby supported by opportunities to develop significant research and technical skills.

We work with biological, medical, and environmental science-related organisations in Oxford, the UK and across the world, and staff at local hospitals jointly supervise student research projects. We regularly seek to link our academic development with application and industry. For instance, an assay used globally for prenatal screening was developed at Oxford Brookes. Locally, our students work with the Chilterns Conservation Board to undertake habitat assessment to inform conservation strategy.

The city of Oxford is recognised as one of Europe’s leading centres of enterprise, innovation and scientific knowledge, with a multitude of science parks nearby. Graduates benefit from our strong links with local and national organisations such as the Oxfordshire Bioscience Network, NERC’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and Oxford’s Radcliffe hospitals.

What are the benefits?

Strong links with local and national employers providing excellent research project and employment opportunities.
Flexible programme structure enabling study around other commitments.
Research degrees including comprehensive support and training.
Access to one of the UK’s best collections of scientific publications at the Radcliffe Science Library and free entry to the Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum.
Hands-on experience of operating advanced equipment, conducting fieldwork and working on innovative research projects to prepare you for a future in research, industry or consultancy.
An emphasis on career development including a programme of external speakers and a specific career development module.

Research

To find out more please visit our research degrees pages.

Taught Courses

Our taught courses follow a modular format making them flexible – you can choose to study part-time as a home/EU student or take fewer modules and obtain a postgraduate diploma or certificate rather than a full master’s degree.

Teaching

Our biotechnology provision is designed to equip you with the skills required to work in the rapidly-growing global bioscience industry. Taught by staff at the forefront of research in the molecular sciences, students will also have access to some of the world’s best biotechnology laboratories, including our advanced bioimaging suite. Our close links with one of the strongest biotechnology clusters in the UK not only provide unrivalled research project opportunities but also open the door to many exciting careers.

Our conservation and environment courses are practically focused, with opportunities to undertake fieldwork, develop key transferable skills and apply theory to real projects relevant to students’ interests and career aspirations. As well as working alongside lecturers conducting first class research, visiting speakers from industry, government, consultancies and research bodies are integral to course delivery, enabled through strong employer links within the UK and Europe.

Support

Postgraduate taught students receive academic and pastoral support from course and module leaders as well as from research project supervisors. In addition, a team of support staff including our student support
co-ordinator and postgraduate tutor are always happy to assist students. A number of scholarships are also available each year to support students financially.

Which courses can I study to start in 2012?

Biotechnology - MSc / PGDip
Biotechnology with Business - MSc / PGDip
Conservation Ecology - MSc / PGDip / PGCert