Biological Systems Engineering applies systems-oriented engineering analysis and design approaches to the study of molecular and cellular biology. It has firm foundations in mathematics and a strong understanding of non-linear, linear systems and control, chaos and complexity, network inference, feedback control systems and optimisation is fundamental. The discipline aims to advance our understanding of how biological systems operate and to develop effective technologies for applications across a wide spectrum of societal needs. These include design of novel materials, devices, and energy sources; and the enhancement of environmental health and food security. Scientists skilled in engineering biological systems are making a fundamental contribution to medical research for disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Applications of computational and synthetic biology can offer cheaper and quicker solutions to identifying and testing new drugs and vaccines, for example reverse engineering drug targets and in silico drug design. This interdisciplinary Masters programme will provide a solid grounding in modern biology, including the latest high-throughput measurement techniques, together with advanced training in the computational and analytical techniques that are increasingly required to understand and design biological systems. Physical sciences graduates will have the opportunity to apply the mathematical and engineering skills acquired in their undergraduate studies to interesting, real-world biological problems with significant impact on a broad range of scientific and technological fields, as well as future policy-making.

The programme will provide an ideal foundation for graduates interested in pursuing interdisciplinary research, including PhD study and within industry. Many other careers within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and biomedical industries will require graduates with training at the life-sciences interface.