This course provides students with a platform to overcome traditional barriers to work collaboratively on the ‘big problems’ and applications in synthetic and systems biology. The course provides graduate students from life sciences, engineering and physical sciences with a platform to overcome traditional barriers to work collaboratively on the ‘big problems’ and applications in synthetic and systems biology. Students gain intensive hands-on experience in a combination of experimental biology and modelling in order to understand, predict and redesign biological pathways. There is a link with the BIOS Centre at King’s College to facilitate the integration of this research with emerging ethical, legal and societal issues. The taught elements of the course include introductory modules that cover essentials for both life and physical scientists, as well as modules on experimental systems biology, theoretical systems biology, synthetic biology, and advanced technologies. In addition to conventional lectures, the course requires active engagement by students through practicals, bench work, case studies, proposal writing, journal clubs, and an eight-month interdisciplinary research project. Only these activities will be marked; there will not be any formal written exams.