Molecular Medicine MSc

The course is offered on a one-year full-time basis, taught over three terms, or on a two year part-time basis, taught over six terms. You will complete six modules in total. Four modules will each be taught over a two-week period in a ‘block’ mode.

These taught modules will not run concurrently allowing you to focus on one module at a time and will help promote better time management skills. All lecture material will be available via Vista and will be accessible from your home computer.

You will study a Research Planning module to develop skills required for your dissertation. You will then take a unique Research Dissertation module over a 9 month (full-time) or 18 month (part-time) period, to allow you to conduct a detailed investigation into a research question of your choice. If in full-time employment, and attending the course on part-time mode, it may be possible to conduct the research dissertation at the workplace.

This module aims to develop knowledge and critical awareness of various research methods and appropriate methods of data analysis. You will enhance your skills of designing and evaluating research studies and data presentation.

This module will teach up-to-date practical technologies, methodologies and skills used in clinical cytogenetic laboratories.

Main topics of study: the technologies and methodologies used in modern cytogenetics and their application in clinical diagnosisproblem solving within FISH methodologyanalysis and interpretation of digital imagespresentation of clinical dataworking effectively in groups using good laboratory practice.

This module aims to provide an understanding of the modern biotechnology in both genomics and proteomics, especially the application of microarray technology.

Main topics of study: general knowledge of genomic and proteomic technologymicroarrary technologytransgenic technologydrug discovery technologyRNA interference technology.

This module will introduce you to the principles of translating the knowledge generated through the human genome project into clinical practice.

Main topics of study: organization of the human genome: recent advancesHap-Map projectgenome wide association studies (GWAS)specific examples of recent use of GWAS to study human diseasesexploring molecular mechanisms of human genetic disease arising as a result of dysfunctional DNA damage responsesmouse models of human diseases resulting from dysfunctional DNA damage responsestelomere maintenance and human diseasemouse genome projectprinciples of gene therapy.

This module aims to provide an understanding of the principles and current knowledge of the signalling pathways that are misregulated in a variety of human diseases. Attention will be given to how knowledge of these signalling pathways and their targets can be used in therapeutic intervention in human disease.

Main topics of study: signalling pathways resulting from activation of membrane, intracellular or nuclear receptors including G-Protein coupled receptor signallingWnt signallingJAK/STAT signalling and cytokine signallingsteroid signalling.

The dissertation allows you to undertake an in-depth study from a choice of research topics and will normally be associated with a number of research groups within Biosciences led by international experts in the field.

*These modules are also available as CPPD (Continuing Personal and Professional Development) courses. To find out more information and to apply, please click .