The course consists of a taught component and a research project; students take part in intensive laboratory exercises designed to introduce them to essential techniques in molecular biology and biotechnology including nucleic acid and protein extraction; PCR and QTL analysis; northern; southern and western blotting; most taught theory modules have an associated practical component; the research project takes place during the summer and is conducted under the direct supervision of 1 of the staff involved in teaching the course; students choose their research project from a wide range of topics which are related to the taught material.