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Dr John Brown, Chairman of Biotechnology Industry Association (BIA), Scotland.
"I am certain that the biotechnology industry will welcome this exciting development at the University of Aberdeen. The idea of generating business savvy graduates without compromising science teaching quality is exactly what our industry requires and will help to maintain Scotland's leading position in this sector. I hope students that benefit from these courses will go on to become the bio-entrepreneurs of tomorrow."
Biotechnology Industry Association Website
New generation of "business savvy" scientists
Professor Anne Glover, Scotland's Chief Scientific Advisor and Co-chair of the Scottish Science Advisory Council.
"In terms of Scotland’s size, we are world leaders for the quality of our research, as demonstrated by the rate that our research is cited internationally. However, the commercial potential this creates is not always fully realised. Science is key to our future economic success. I am delighted that the University of Aberdeen has launched this new biobusiness course, it will help to ensure that our future scientists have the skills necessary to turn technology developments into real commercial success"
For many years Scotland has been at the forefront of groundbreaking scientific achievements. In fact, science in Scotland by GDP can be considered among the best in the world, but when it comes to commercialisation of our science - making that critical journey from the lab to the marketplace – Scotland could do so much better. Starting in October 2009 the University of Aberdeen will launch Scotland’s first programme to create the next generation of “business savvy” scientists and entrepreneurs enabled to bridge the gap between scientific excellence and commercial success.
The new programme will give students an unprecedented insight into the rapidly expanding life sciences industry – a sector where Scotland’s excellence is acknowledged around the world. Our aim is to introduce undergraduate students to the basic concepts of business and how these can be used in conjunction with their scientific training. The course will challenge students to think about the nature of research when driven by commercial outcomes.
The Biobusiness programme will produce graduates who are first class scientists but with the potential to be the next generation of bio-entrepreneurs. Many of the future recruitment opportunities for students with Life Science skills will involve roles in biobusiness rather than exclusively research at the bench. Biobusiness options will broaden career opportunities allowing successful students to pursue postgraduate training as PhD, MBA or both!
Employers of our Graduates will be integral to the direction, delivery and design of the Biobusiness option.
( What do employers want? )
The Biobusiness components will concentrate on models that relate directly to the commercialisation of science and technology. There are 3 courses studied as part of the Biobusiness option: Introduction to Biobusiness can be taken at either Level 1 or level 2; Biobusiness and Advanced Biobusiness are taken at level 3 and 4 respectively. The teaching is in the form of lectures, tutorials and seminars with assessment by presentation, essays, reports and written examinations.
Students will even get the chance to run their own virtual biotechnology company, see if they have what it takes to be a director of a business in this burgeoning sector, and develop the skills required when pitching for funding.
Students undertaking any degree in Medical Sciences who are interested in the Biobusiness options should contact the Programme Co-ordinator, Dr Heather Wallace (h.m.wallace@abdn.ac.uk) for further details.
For students wanting to maximize their career opportunities we offer the complete package of Life Science degrees with Biobusiness and Industrial Placement (http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sms/ugradteaching/placements.shtml ). These 5-year MSci degrees will prepare the student for either a career in industry or a further postgraduate qualification eg PhD or MBA.
