You will participate in one course during your time in Oxford: Basics in Biotech: From Genes to Innovation.

Biotechnology is one of the most exciting and fast-moving fields in modern science. It sits at the intersection of biology and technology, transforming discoveries into advances that shape health and medicine. The goal of this course is to introduce you to the fundamentals of biotechnology and show you how scientific discovery turns into real-world impact.

The course combines foundational science with hands-on exploration of cutting-edge biotech innovations. You will begin with the building blocks of biology (e.g., DNA, proteins and cells) and learn how scientists use them to design new tools and treatments. From there, you’ll dive into today’s biotech frontier, including CRISPR gene editing (how researchers can “rewrite” DNA), cancer immunotherapy (training the immune system to fight disease), artificial intelligence and machine learning (how scientists use AI/ML to discover new medicines) and brain–computer interfaces (linking biology and technology in unexpected ways).

Classes will be interactive and discussion-based, while site visits will connect classroom learning to real-world research and innovation. By the end of the course, you will be able to explain core concepts in biotechnology and analyze how tools such as CRISPR and AI/ML drive innovation. This course will give you both a strong scientific foundation and an insider’s view of how breakthroughs emerge from research and grow into new technologies, therapies and companies.

• You will reside on the St. Edmund’s campus, located in the historic city of Oxford in shared rooms and shared bathrooms.
• The On-Site Director, On-Site Coordinator and Student Life Managers reside in the residence hall with students, providing an atmosphere that supports your success by emphasizing community building and individual responsibility.
• You’ll have most meals in the St. Edmund’s dining hall. A few meals will be at local eateries in Oxford and London.
• You will engage in community building and cultural events and activities.
• Please note that you will have one or two hours of free time dispersed throughout each day at BEE, but the free time is not always predictable and does not occur at the same time each day. Additional coursework, including online courses for Brown or other programs, is not feasible.

Site visits bring your classroom learning to life as you trace the path of discovery from Oxford’s scientific history to modern research and clinical impact. (Sample schedule; sites may change)

Oxford:

• Bodleian Library: Begin with primary sources that shaped modern science. Exploring the history of medicine and discovery provides context for how today’s biotechnology builds on earlier ideas.
• Christ Church College: Explore one of Oxford’s most iconic colleges. Its setting anchors discussions about how place, tradition and scholarly communities influence scientific inquiry and collaboration.
• Big Data Institute (BDI): See how large-scale data, AI and machine learning are used to study disease and accelerate discovery (Machine Learning Engineering).
• Punting on the River Cherwell (Magdalen Bridge Boathouse): A classic Oxford cultural activity that fosters cohort bonding and collaboration, building communication skills essential to scientific teamwork.
• Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity: Explore neuroimaging methods used in brain research, including work that underpins brain-computer interface approaches (Neural Processing Lab at the Oxford Robotics Institute).
• Centre for Immuno-Oncology (Oxford Cancer): Apply core immunology concepts to real-world research in cancer immunotherapy, connecting classroom learning to translational science.
• High Table at St Edmund Hall (Teddy Hall): Experience a hallmark of Oxford’s academic tradition. This evening offers space to reflect on scientific culture, ethics and how institutions support the journey from discovery to innovation.
• Jenner Institute (Centre for Immuno-Oncology): Visit a world-leading institute in vaccinology and immunology to understand how platform technologies move toward global impact.
• Oxford University Innovation (Technology Transfer): Learn how ideas become patents and start-up companies, linking classroom concepts to IP strategy, licensing and venture creation.
• BioEscalator: Step inside Oxford’s biomedical incubator to see how early-stage companies turn lab discoveries into products and services.
• The Oxford Science Park: Experience a mature innovation cluster where companies scale their R&D, bridging university research with Oxford’s commercial biotech ecosystem.
• Oxford Technology Park: See how new infrastructure supports the growth of science and technology startups, offering a view into Oxford’s expanding innovation landscape.
• John Radcliffe Hospital: Visit Oxford’s major teaching hospital to see how discoveries move from bench to bedside through clinical trials and translational medicine. This is where innovation meets patient care.

London:

• Francis Crick Institute: Tour one of the world’s leading biomedical research centers, home to groundbreaking work in CRISPR, genetics, and cancer biology. This visit connects Oxford’s ecosystem to the global scientific landscape.
• London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC): Located just steps from the Crick, LBIC is a hub for biotech startups and scale-ups. Students will see how discoveries move from the lab into early-stage companies, reinforcing course themes of translation, innovation and impact.