Course summary

Our Biotechnology and Microbiology course examines how microorganisms can be used to produce improved therapeutic drugs, and why an understanding of microbial evolution is important for controlling pathogens. This course is ideal if you want an interdisciplinary approach to Biotechnology and Microbiology. You will 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, and can be harnessed to produce a wide range of useful products including antibiotics and other medicines. Microbes are also vital for providing multiple ecosystem services and are crucial for agricultural systems. They can 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. 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. 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.