Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance

We are now welcoming applications for 2013/2014.

The Masters in Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance (MSc BIG) is an innovative and dynamic postgraduate qualification designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled people in the growing global bioeconomy.

The MSc BIG programme responds to the central challenges of the bioeconomy: making better use of existing resources; adding value throughout life science innovation supply chains; and bringing new technologies to existing and emerging markets.

To meet these modern challenges, MSc BIG provides students with a dynamic set of competencies and knowledge about life science innovation, as highly desired by prospective employers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Our objective is to enable graduates to excel in strategic thinking that brings globally contextualised solutions to practical problems relating to: firm strategy; policy and regulation; collaboration; and intellectual property.

Basic scientific knowledge and expertise is no longer sufficient for building a successful career in the growing bioeconomy. Therefore, MSc BIG provides a rich combination of theoretical perspectives on life science innovation with a practical focus on the dynamics of the bioeconomy. A work-based dissertation ensures that students gain experience directly relevant to careers in the bioeconomy.

Students also benefit from the programme's unique position within the University of Edinburgh. MSc BIG courses are delivered by scholars within the Innogen Institute - a research institute world renowned for its study of the life sciences, proximity to government and collaboration with commercial and not-for-profit sectors within the bioeconomy.

Innogen is also part of the Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS) subject group within the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science, allowing students to take full advantage of the vibrant community at one of Europe's leading centres for social science research.

Programme Aims

Learning outcomesKnowledge and conceptual frameworks

• Current trends in life science innovation
• Innovation from ‘proof of concept’ to market readiness
• Risk, regulation and governance of the bioeconomy
• Knowledge management and intellectual property in life sciences
• New business models and value systems
• Financing of life science innovation and changing commercial R&D models and strategies

Competencies and practical skills

• Analysis of trends, opportunities and challenges along the life science innovation pathway
• Facilitating entrepreneurship and thinking creatively about the future of the bioeconomy
• Creating business plans and mapping routes to market for new technologies
• Foresight and scenario-based techniques for managing risk and uncertainty associated with emerging technologies
• Negotiation and communication skills in interdisciplinary teams

Structure & Courses

How you will be taught

The programme

The MSc BIG programme draws upon current, real life case studies and the latest research findings.
Experiential rather than rote learning is encouraged, and is accomplished through:

• problem-based group work activities
• presentations
• interactive seminars
• conventional lectures

The programme also includes high-profile guest lectures to ensure the latest thinking from key opinion leaders is provided.
The programme can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Faculty

The programme is delivered by scholars within the ESRC Innogen Centre – a research institute world renowned for its study of the life sciences, proximity to government, and collaboration with commercial and not-for-profit sectors within the bioeconomy.

"Innogen enjoys an outstanding reputation for the quality of its work in a wide range of disciplines and for the interdisciplinarity of its approach." Alastair Kent, Director, Genetic Alliance UK

Core teaching and development team:

• Prof David Castle
• Dr James Mittra
• Dr Alessandro Rosiello
• Prof David Wield

Courses

The MSc BIG Programme will be organised into 10 and 20 credit courses. Students will take five core courses plus one or two optional courses and be required to write a 15,000 word dissertation.

An upper second class UK degree (2:1) or its equivalent if outside the UK. The programme welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds.Undergraduate scientists - who want to pursue a career outside the lab in industry, policy or not-for-profit sectorsSocial scientists and business studies students – who want to develop their interests in life science innovationProfessionals (both scientists and non-scientists) working in the bioeconomy - who wish to build new career pathways

An extensive range of scholarships are available from the University of Edinburgh, both general and country-specific. The University Scholarships and Student Funding Services and the Graduate School of Social and Political Science both offer more information about fees, funding and scholarships.

The list below highlights some of the scholarship opportunities available to prospective postgraduate (taught) Science and Technology Studies students in 2013-2014.

UK/EU Master's Scholarships

Fifteen scholarships are available to UK and EU students already accepted to a full-time Master's degree programmes in any subject offered by the University.

Edinburgh Santander Masters Scholarships

20 Edinburgh Santander Scholarships are available to students from eligible countries for postgraduate Master's study in any subject offered by the University for the 2013-2014 academic session.

Edinburgh Global Master's Scholarships

The University of Edinburgh will offer 40 Master's scholarships for postgraduate study in any subject offered by the University for the 2013-2014 academic session.

Edinburgh Global Japan Earthquake Masters Scholarships

The University will offer up to six Master's scholarships for students from the Tohoku, Northern Kanto, and Hokkaido regions undertaking a postgraduate Master's degree programme offered by the University of Edinburgh in the academic session 2013-2014.

The Morrison Western China Masters Scholarship

One scholarship is available to a student from Western China accepted on to a postgraduate Master's programme, in any subject, at the University of Edinburgh, for the academic session 2013-2014.