Biological Physics MSc

Students gain broad background knowledge of cell and developmental biology, and physical theories and experimental physics techniques applied to biological systems. They also gain theoretical and working knowledge of techniques from physics and engineering used in biological physics research, including optical microscopy, microfabrication, and data analysis.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of five core modules (90 credits), one optional module (30 credits) and a report (60 credits).

• Advanced Biophysical Theories
• BioMEMs and Microscopy Techniques
• Biosciences Research Skills
• Molecular Biophysics
• The Scientific Literature

Students must select one of the following 30-credit modules:

• Advanced Cell Biology
• ABC – Analysis of Biological Complexity
• And one of:
• Aspects of Bioengineering
• Image Processing
• Introduction to Physical Techniques in the Life Sciences
• Machine Vision
• Matlab Programming for Biology
• Mechanisms of Development
• Statistics for Biology

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a report of 10,000 words.

Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops and by an element of problem-centred learning, innovatively linking taught material to a set of student-selected research case studies, Taught modules are assessed by problem sets and examinations; ‘hands-on’ modules (e.g. BioMEMs and Microscopy Techniques) and research projects are assessed by presentations, assessed reports and the dissertation.