This course is ideal if you want an interdisciplinary approach to Biotechnology. You'll have a wide range of options to tailor the course to your developing interests.

Microorganisms are an important but often overlooked form of life. They are causative agents of many diseases, but can also be harnessed to produce a wide range of useful products including antibiotics and other medicines. Microbes are vital for providing multiple ecosystem services and are crucial for agricultural systems, whether via the microbes in the soil, those associated with plants, or in the context of providing the basis for our understanding of genetic modification. They can be used to produce biofuels, provide the means to decontaminate polluted environments and act as important models for understanding biological processes. At York, you will learn about the practical application of biological knowledge to economically important areas, such as health, food and the environment.

This integrated Masters course specifically focuses on the skills needed for a career as a research scientist. You'll work with researchers in one of the UK’s top bioscience departments to learn specialised techniques. You'll gain experience in a research lab doing pioneering work, undertake specialist research training and take Masters-level modules.

Adding a year in industry or a year abroad are both an option with this course too, so you can benefit from the advantages that a year away can bring. There are also opportunities for paid summer research internships. The Department of Biology will provide you with the opportunity to learn in new, spacious and modern teaching laboratories which provide excellent facilities for practicals and small group project work, alongside our state-of-the-art computing facilities.