Teaching and learning

Teaching is primarily module-based teaching in Terms 1 and 2. This involves face-to-face lectures and seminars, plus optional applied sessions covering introductory science and business basics in term 1. In-person sessions involve typically twelve hours per week in terms 1 and 2. There is considerable independent reading and study expected, plus work on assignments.

In Term 3 you will embark on an integrated science-business research project. You will identify and explore a cutting-edge topic (of your choice) in bioscience. The thesis you produce will be a literature-based exploration of the science research, integrated with a business case analysis. The goal is to investigate the feasibility or non-feasibility of a new business opportunity in the field of bioscience.

The delivery modes across the terms integrate into science-business learning outcomes. Lectures allow for specific in depth information to be provided. Guest lecturers include healthcare and medical professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators. Seminar time allows for more detailed discussion and consideration of material. These might include informal case based presentations, problems, or quizzes, that allow formative feedback. For example, the seminars in Term 1 for one module, Research in Practice, support the development of investigative, analytical, synthesis and data interrogation skills. These are later put into practice in the Term 3 dissertation module.

The Term 3 project is aided by an allocated academic supervisor. Some students have sourced their own topic through finding a start-up or innovation or UCL supervisor, in their specialist area of interest. Others have sourced internship opportunities that they use as a basis for the thesis work. 

This approach provides you with an opportunity to apply entrepreneurial skills in applying science to a real-life customer problem. 

Assessment is through coursework, presentations and the dissertation. Each module typically has several assessments. At this MSc level, these assignments require considerable input and study. Many also require you to source for yourself an entrepreneurial topic in bioscience. 

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and class discussion. Students are given the opportunity to attend weekly lectures given by leading healthcare and medical professionals, global entrepreneurs and biotech innovators. Assessment is through coursework, presentations, examinations, and the dissertation. 

In Terms one and two full-time students can typically expect between 10 and 12 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. In Term three and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors. Students will also display a level of independent study (25-30 hours per week), for example, by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the programme.