DECLAN MCLELLAND, HND STUDENT 2017/18
“Microbiology has always fascinated me, but now that I have the opportunity to study this field, I can really see myself eventually working in this area.”
The HND in Industrial Biology is delivered by three further education colleges in Scotland and intended for those wishing to find employment in industrial biotechnology or to progress to further study.
Declan McLelland was an IBioIC HND student in 2017/2018: “I attended a presentation which highlighted the importance of Biotechnology and its role in saving our planet. Being a part of this revolutionaryis perhaps the greatest honour I’ll be able to achieve in my life”
Declan talks about his enthusiasm for the industry, his favourite aspects of the course, the skill she has acquired and his future plans:
“During my studies in the course NC Level 6 Applied Science, I attended a presentation which highlighted the importance of Biotechnology and its role in saving our planet via: recycling leftover biomass in industries, reducing pollution by creating products less hazardous to the planet and taking the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use the carbon to create products. To be a part of this revolutionary industry is possibly the greatest honour I will be able to achieve with my life.
I would have to say the most enjoyable part of the course so far is the Microbiology class. The enjoyment comes from the challenge of the aseptic techniques and the sub culturing techniques; the results truly make every minute worth it. Microbiology has always fascinated me, but now that I have the opportunity to study this field, I can really see myself eventually working in this area.
We’ve focused on the practical side of microbiology so far, but we’ll be getting into the theory side in the coming semester and I’m really looking forward to developing my understanding of these living organisms and how they function in comparison to organisms like us. This truly fascinates me and I’m sure I’m only going to enjoy it more as the course proceeds.
I’ve developed existing skills in my chemistry classes, and I’ve learned new techniques like: PCR, H & E staining, Gram Staining, Sub culturing techniques, aseptic techniques with handling microbes, gel electrophoresis and the proper use of a microscope. My skills in writing lab reports and documenting my work have significantly improved".
The IBioIC Skills Team are pleased to confirm that Declan has secured a place at the University of Strathclyde to study Immunology and Microbiology. Good Luck Declan!