1. Apply the principles of professional identity, ethical responsibility and regulatory obligation in life-science settings, and exercise informed judgement when responding to complex scenarios involving collaborative, cross-disciplinary and leadership practice.

Application & Problem Solving

Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

Reflection

2. Critically evaluate and apply principles of enterprise, governance and innovation pathways to construct and substantiate a feasible, impactful and ethically sound professional output

Application & Problem Solving; Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

3. Demonstrate professional autonomy and entrepreneurship by designing and articulating a sophisticated professional output that aligns with global employment standards and career-specific pathways.

Professional Development & Entrepreneurship, Communication

1. Professional output: focussed on a professional output with some optionality to suit career aspirations

Eg, choice of:

Grant application

Development of policy white paper

Curriculum and assessment design

Science communication campaign / public engagement strategy

International development plan

Students are supported in developing professional outputs through engagement with sector-relevant exemplars, self-evaluation against professional standards or expectations, and peer discussion of draft ideas and approaches. Iterative reflection on purpose, audience, feasibility and professional context will be encouraged, with an opportunity to submit a tutor-reviewed formative draft.

2. Situational Judgement Test is an assessment with realistic workplace scenarios you must identify the most effective professional or ethical responses to demonstrate your decision-making skills and judgement in complex scenarios.

Formative development is supported through scenario-based discussion, reflection on professional standards and peer exchange of perspectives, enabling students to develop effective professional and ethical decision-making.

This module prepares you for real-world scientific practice, developing your professional identity, ethical awareness, and ability to collaborate, lead, and communicate effectively. You will learn how quality and regulatory frameworks shape laboratory culture, and practise core research skills including project planning, data analysis, critical evaluation and scientific writing. Including:

Professional identity, responsibility and ethical conduct in life science workplaces, including collaborative practice, communication, leadership, relationship-building and cross-disciplinary working.

Quality culture within scientific industries, including QC/QA principles, pre-analytical considerations, EQA participation, regulatory and accreditation frameworks (e.g. UKAS/ISO) and the effective use of SOPs, audits and incident reporting.

Research and innovation skills for employability, including experimental design, project planning, problem-solving, data acquisition and analysis, critical appraisal of evidence and scientific writing for diverse audiences.

Entrepreneurship, enterprise awareness and commercial thinking within life science environments, including innovation pathways, intellectual property considerations, feasibility evaluation, risk awareness and translational potential.

Development of autonomous professional practice through reflective evaluation, evidence-led decision-making, resilience, adaptability, and capacity to drive improvement within dynamic scientific, clinical and industrial settings.

Thrive as a professional scientist

This module prepares you for real-world scientific practice, developing your professional identity, ethical awareness, and ability to collaborate, lead, and communicate effectively. You will learn how quality and regulatory frameworks shape laboratory culture, and practise core research skills including project planning, data analysis, critical evaluation and scientific writing. With a focus on ethical practice, enterprise, innovation and commercial awareness—alongside reflective, evidence-led decision-making—this module equips you to excel in dynamic scientific, clinical and industrial environments.

Sessions will include lectures, workshop activities, discussions, groupwork, drop-in support sessions.

Ahmed, N. et al. (2022) Biomedical science practice: experimental and professional skills. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Shimasaki, C. (2020) Biotechnology Entrepreneurship: Leading, Managing and Commercializing Innovative Technologies. 2nd ed. San Diego: Elsevier Science & Technology.

Suitable rooming for group work and discussion

Scientific laboratory for practical block

IT suite space with access to PCs