Masters Degrees (Crystallography)

This postgraduate course is an excellent introduction to protein crystallography. It is designed for those who are interested in pursuing a career in this exciting and rapidly expanding field, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, or for those who would like to expand and update their existing scientific knowledge.

Up-to-date descriptions of the background, methods and techniques of protein crystallography are explained, and the programme gives the biologically orientated scientist a mainly non-mathematical insight into how protein crystal structures are determined and how results should be judged.

Why study this course at Birkbeck?

Study by distance learning, wherever you are in the world, with our internet-based teaching.
You will interact with your tutors and fellow students through email lists, submit written assignments by email, and attend online tutorials in real time using a chatroom-based interface.
May be taken as a stand-alone award or as part of our innovative distance learning MSc Structural Molecular Biology.
Taught within the Department of Biological Sciences which, with University College London, is part of the leading research-based Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology. Several of the department’s world-class researchers contribute to the course.

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Biophysics provides structural and mechanistic insights into the biological world and uses this knowledge to create solutions for major global problems, such as food production, climate change, environmental damage and drug production. It spans the distance between the vast complexity of biological systems and the relative simplicity of the physical laws that govern the universe.

Our Biophysics and Molecular Life Sciences MSc provides interdisciplinary training by bringing together concepts from chemistry, physics and the life sciences. It is taught by staff actively pursuing research in these areas and from members of BrisSynBio, a flagship centre for synthetic biology research in the UK.

The programme gives you an opportunity to gain knowledge and practical experience by studying molecular interactions and mechanisms at the level of the cell to the single molecule. Topics for study include molecular structure determination, dynamic molecular mechanisms, molecular simulation, molecular design and single-molecule technologies. You can also choose an additional unit that reflects your personal interests, allowing you to broaden your knowledge of biomedical subjects whilst focusing on biophysics. You will also learn about the commercialisation of research outcomes, including intellectual property, setting up a business, getting investment, marketing and legal issues.

Graduates from this programme will be well-prepared for a PhD programme in biophysics or related fields. Additionally, the numerical, problem-solving, research and communication skills gained on this programme are highly desired by employers in a variety of industries.

Robust evidence is the cornerstone of science and on this programme you will gain research experience in laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including atomic force and electron microscopy, biological and chemical NMR, x-ray crystallography and mass spectrometry.

Your learning will be supported throughout the programme in regular, small-group tutorials.

Programme structure

Core units
Biophysics and Molecular Life Sciences I
-The unit begins with a short series of lectures that introduce the general area of molecular life sciences for the non-specialist. The remaining lectures cover a variety of molecular spectroscopies, molecular structure determination, an introduction to systems approaches using proteomics, and the mechanistic characterisation of biomolecules using a variety of biophysical techniques.

Biophysics and Molecular Life Sciences II
-The unit describes highly specialised techniques at the interface of physics, chemistry and the life sciences. This includes techniques for studying biomolecules at the level of a single-molecule, synthetic biology, bioinformatics and molecular simulations.

Core Skills
-A series of practical classes, lecture-based teaching sessions, and tutorials that prepare you for the practical project, provide a foundation for further studies and develop a range of transferable skills.

Literary Project
-An extended essay on a subject chosen from an extensive list covering the topics described above. You work independently under the guidance of a member of staff.

Project Proposal and Research Project
-You work independently under the guidance of a member of staff to produce a written project proposal. This is followed by a 12-week research project investigating your chosen topic. The research project forms the basis for a dissertation.

Lecture-based option
You will study one lecture-based unit from:
-Cancer Biology
-Cardiovascular Research
-The Dynamic Cell
-Infection, Immunology and Immunity
-Neuroscience
-Pharmacology

Careers

Typically, biophysics careers are laboratory-based, conducting original research within academia, a government agency or private industry, although the transferable skills gained on the course are ideal for many other careers outside of science, including business and finance.

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The Masters in Biophysical Science has been created to bring excellent science, mathematics and
engineering graduates to a position where they can start with confidence on a wide range of careers
in the life sciences. This is in response to the growing need for graduates who can apply their
subject knowledge outside of the traditional boundaries of their discipline.

Course Structure

Each Biophysical Sciences Masters student selects six taught modules from a selection of
fundamental and specialised modules. These modules are designed to provide key knowledge and
skills. Also available to students is the module Communicating Science which will give further
opportunity to develop transferable skills.
Following the taught section of the course an extended research project will be undertaken in a
research laboratory under the supervision of a Durham University Academic with expertise in the
area of biophysical science research. The project will be chosen by the Masters Student from a
selection of projects nominated by Durham Academics. Research projects will allow students to
develop vital research skills and will give first-hand experience of ground-breaking biophysical
science research.

Core Modules

*
•Molecular Cell Biology
•Making Organic Molecules
•Experimental Design and Analysis
•Mathematical Tools
•Practical Course in Basic Biological Techniques

Optional modules

•Protein Crystallography
•Techniques in Cognitive Neuroscience
•Molecular Probes and their Use
•Medicinal Chemistry
•Soft Matter and Biological Physics
•Systems Biology and Bayesian Inference
•Macrobiomolecule Dynamics

Transferrable Skills

•Communicating Science

Research project

•Biophysical science research project

Note *:

All students will take the modules Molecular Cell Biology (B101); Practical Course in Basic Biological
Techniques (B105) and the transferable skills course: Communicating Science. Students with a first
degree in Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics will not take the fundamental module based on their
first degree discipline. They will take Molecular Cell Biology plus two of the remaining three
Fundamental Modules, avoiding the module in the discipline of their first degree. They will also take
three specialised modules. Students with other first degrees will take all four Fundamental Modules
plus two Specialised Modules.

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Why this course?

This course gives you the practical skills and knowledge to design and synthesise molecules that have therapeutic actions within the body.

The ultimate aim is to invent more selective and safer drugs to fight and cure disease. We also want to fully exploit the opportunities from identification of genes associated with a range of cancers, inherited disorders and agents of disease.

Specialist classes focus on:
- disease targets
- design of selectively-acting prototype drugs
- synthetic and mimetic strategies in producing drug prototypes
- the refinement of activity when a promising compound is identified

Case studies of well-known drugs are used to illustrate the principles.

See the website https://www.strath.ac.uk/courses/postgraduatetaught/medicinalchemistry/

You’ll study

The course consists of three theory and three practical modules running between October and April. These are followed by exams. If you pass all exams and want to proceed to MSc you’ll undertake a 10-week research project and submit a thesis at the end of August.

Facilities

The Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry carries out world-leading research with modern state-of-the-art facilities. You’ll have access to the full range of analytical instrumentation used in the pharmaceutical industry:
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
- Ultra-Violet (UV)
- Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR_FTIR)
- High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Gas Chromatography (GC)
- Liquid Chromatograph/Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/GC-MS)
- X-ray crystallography

Teaching staff

Course material is taught by experts based in the Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry and the Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences.

There’s additional specialised lectures from visiting professors and world-renowned scientists who are working in the pharmaceutical industry.

English language requirements

English language minimum IELTS 6.5.
We offer a range of English Language course for students who wish to improve their English. Module 3 is free of charge to all applicants and we strongly recommend all international students to take advantage of this free course. This is an excellent way to not only improve your English but to get to know Glasgow and the University and make new friends.
We also offer comprehensive English Language pre-sessional and Foundation courses for students whose IELTS scores are below 6.5.
For students with IELTS of 6.0, an offer can be made conditional on completing Modules 2 and 3 of Pre-sessional English.
For students with IELTS of 5.5, an offer can be made conditional on completing Modules 1, 2 and 3 of Pre-sessional English.

Pre-Masters preparation course

The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course for international students (non EU/UK) who do not meet the entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde. The Pre-Masters programme provides progression to a number of degree options.

To find out more about the courses and opportunities on offer visit isc.strath.ac.uk or call today on +44 (0) 1273 339333 and discuss your education future. You can also complete the online application form. To ask a question please fill in the enquiry form and talk to one of our multi-lingual Student Enrolment Advisers today.

Learning & teaching

Teaching of theory and applications is through lectures and tutorials. The material is further reinforced with practical sessions, which provide hands-on experience with a wide range of modern instrumental techniques.

Assessment

Assessment is through both written and practical exams and submission of a thesis (MSc students only).

Careers

Graduates from this course will be ideal for positions in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries or may continue their studies into PhD research.

Find information on Scholarships here http://www.strath.ac.uk/search/scholarships/

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This MSc programme is designed for those students and professionals who have a degree in Chemistry or an allied subject.

The course is broadly based with flexibility for you to choose from a wide range of modules. Educational aims of the programme include introducing modern chemical science concepts and techniques, exploring further advanced research led topics through a range of optional modules and to equip you with a range of analytical, critical, and communication skills. A key aspect of the programme is undertaking a significant research project for your dissertation. Through this research project you are able to develop skills in one of
many areas aligned with the research interests of the School of Chemistry; for example catalysis, surface science, energy materials, chemical biology, synthetic chemistry or structural chemistry.

Facilities

The Purdie Building, the adjoining Biomolecular Sciences building and the brand-new Biomedical Sciences Research complex offer excellent accommodation and facilities for teaching and research in some of the most modern and well equipped laboratories in the UK.

The School has major facilities across the full spectrum of Chemistry, including NMR (both solution and solidstate), X-ray crystallography (single-crystal, powder and macromolecular), electron microscopy, catalyst evaluation, analytical chemistry, spectroscopy, computational chemistry and surface science, together with all the standard chemical evaluation techniques.

The School of Chemistry also houses its own reading room containing all of the major books required for postgraduate research work. Comprehensive online access to journals and national and international databases is available. Taught postgraduate students are allocated working and write-up space within their respective research groups.

Careers

Chemistry graduates have gone on to successful careers in the chemical industry with companies such as BP, Shell, Johnson Matthey, Siemens and the pharmaceutical industry e.g. GSK, Pfizer, AstraZeneca. Many also continue in academic life, pursuing a research-based PhD in universities or research institutions in the UK, Europe, North America, Japan and others worldwide. Other career routes outwith a research environment include scientific publishing, patent law, forensic science, and IT and energy consultancy.

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About the course

This 12-month course is ideal if you want to develop skills in a range of areas. It includes project work and an introduction to research-level theory. You’ll take taught classes for the first two semesters. In the third semester, you’ll work on an extended research project of your own.

Employers value this kind of experience. By the time you graduate, you’ll have proved you can work within a research group, organise your own research, complete a project and communicate your findings.

Your future

Our graduates are highly valued in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector. They work all over the world for companies including AkzoNobel, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Corus, Dow Chemicals, GSK, Smith and Nephew and Syngenta. Many move on to PhD study, then careers in research or teaching.

Chemistry is vital to the way we live. It helps power industry and drive economic growth. Polymer science contributes to advances in everything from biology to engineering and medicine. As a researcher in industry or academia you could be involved in work that improves lives and changes the way we see the world.

Learn from world-class research

Top-quality research directly informs our teaching. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) rates 98 per cent of our work world-class or internationally excellent. You’ll learn about the very latest developments from experts in theory and spectroscopy, synthesis, analytical science, chemical biology and materials.

Labs, equipment and training

We’ll train you to use our modern analytical instrumentation. We have NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, x-ray crystallography, polymer characterisation methods and advanced microscopy. We also have a team of technicians to assist with spectroscopic services. There are labs for molecular biology, protein chemistry, polymer/colloid synthesis and materials characterisation.

Core modules

You’ll carry out two smaller laboratory projects prior to starting your main research project, to develop practical and scientific communication skill. You also undertake a Research and Presentation Skills module to further develop the higher level skills needed for research.

Examples of optional modules

Lectured modules consist of a wide range of segments, spanning the breadth of chemistry, from which you can choose, to tailor your MSc to your strengths and interests.

Teaching and assessment

We use a mixture of lectures, laboratory practicals, workshops and individual research projects. You may tailor the area of your research project to your particular interests. Assessment of taught modules is through examination, laboratory reports and coursework. Assessment of the project is through a 15,000-word dissertation, oral presentation and viva, as well as assessed performance during the project.

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The MPhil is offered by the Department of Chemistry as a full-time period of research and introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Students are integrated into the research culture of the Department by joining a research group, supervised by one of our academic staff, in one of the following areas of Chemistry:

Biological:

with a focus on enzymes, nucleic acids, protein folding and misfolding, and physical techniques; with relevance to health and disease, drug discovery, sensors, nanotechnology, ageing and energy research applications.

Materials Chemistry:

including surfaces, interfaces, polymers, nanoparticles and nanoporous materials, self assembly, and biomaterials, with applications relevant to: oil recovery and separation, catalysis, photovoltaics, fuel cells and batteries, crystallization and pharmaceutical formulation, gas sorption, energy, functional materials, biocompatible materials, computer memory, and sensors.

Physical Chemistry:

including atmospheric sciences, surfaces and interfaces, materials, and physical and chemical aspects of the behaviour of biopolymers and other soft systems.

Synthetic Chemistry:

including complex molecule synthesis, synthetic catalysis, synthetic assembly, synthetic biology and medicine, new technology for efficient synthesis, green synthesis, and preparation of new materials.

Theory, Modelling and Informatics:

including quantum dynamics, modelling soft materials, protein folding and binding, biomolecules in motion, pharmacological activity, molecular switches, redox chemistry, designing bioactive molecule and drugs, chemical biology, crystallography, and simulation of spectroscopic studies.

Potential supervisors and their area of research expertise may be found at Department of Chemistry (Research): http://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/research

Visit the website: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/pcchmpmch

Course detail

Educational aims of the MPhil programme:

- to give students with relevant experience at first degree level the opportunity to carry out focussed research in the discipline under close supervision; and

- to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests and a broader set of transferable skills.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have:

- a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research;
- demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
- shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies;
- demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.

Format

The MPhil involves minimal formal teaching. Students may attend the Department's programme of research seminars and other graduate courses, including the Transferable Skills programme that forms part of the PhD programme. Informal opportunities to develop research skills also exist through mentoring and other opportunities by fellow students and members of staff. However, most research training is provided within the research group structure and all students are assigned a research supervisor.

All graduate students receive termly reports written by their supervisors.

Assessment

The scheme of examination for the MPhil in Chemistry shall consist of a thesis, of not more than 15,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Physics and Chemistry, submitted for examination at the end of 11 months. The examination shall include an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls. The thesis shall provide evidence to satisfy the Examiners that a candidate can design and carry out investigations, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspectives of the subject.

Continuing

The Department offers a PhD in Chemistry course and MPhil students can apply to continue as a graduate student on this course.

MPhil students currently studying a relevant course at the University of Cambridge will need to pass their MPhil course (if examined only by thesis) or obtain a minimum merit (if there is a marked element) in order to be eligible to continue onto the PhD in Chemistry.

How to apply: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying

Funding Opportunities

There are no specific funding opportunities advertised for this course. For information on more general funding opportunities, please follow the link below.

General Funding Opportunities http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/funding

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This programme is offered by the UCL Division of Medicine and the Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research and is designed for the more research-oriented student, complementing Drug Design MSc. Conducting cutting-edge research within the drug industries and UCL's academic group, it offers opportunities for networking and future career development.

Degree information

This programme teaches students the latest methodologies and approaches and covers all aspects of drug design: drug discovery, computational and structural biology, screening, assay development, medicinal chemistry, and most importantly the industrial practices involved in modern drug design technology.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of two core modules (30 credits), three optional modules (45 credits) and a dissertation/report (105 credits).

Optional modules - students will select three from the following Drug Design MSc modules:
-Bioinformatics and Structural Biology as applied to Drug Design
-Biological Molecules as Therapeutics
-Biophysical Screening Methods, X-ray Crystallography, Protein NMR and Phenotypic Screening
-Cheminformatics and Modelling for Drug Design
-Fragment-based Drug Design
-Target Selection – Commercial and Intellectual Property Aspects
-Target Selection – Scientific Grounds

Core modules - plus two taught transferable skills modules delivered by CALT (UCL Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching):
-Investigating Research
-Researcher Professional Development

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and problem classes, critical journal clubs and a research project. Assessment is through coursework, practicals, laboratory work, examination, dissertation and oral presentation.

Careers

We expect students graduating from this programme to take leading roles in drug discovery and development worldwide or to undertake further PhD level research. The first cohort of students on the Drug Design MRes graduating in 2015 have found jobs in the pharmaceutical industry as well as PhD studentships in leading universities.

Employability
The advanced knowledge and skill set acquired by taking this programme will enable students to find employment in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries in a global market.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The division hosts research groups in the areas of medicine, pharmaceutical research, cell cycle, neurobiology, mitochondrial function, stem cells and cancer. Underpinning the translational aspects of the biomedical research, we have a medicinal chemistry group which conducts research where chemistry and biology intersect, using the latest techniques and developing new ones for the study of biological systems.

The division collaborates extensively within industry and academia to develop biological tools and therapeutic agents. There are plenty of opportunities to conduct translational research that has an impact on drug discovery.

Pharmaceutical and biotech companies, well established in the West, have been transferring their research and development to the East. Given these substantial developments, particularly in China and India, the programme will have a broad international appeal.

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This course is specifically designed for applicants from a pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences background and those without an in-depth coverage of organic chemistry and organic spectroscopy as part of their previous degree courses.

It gives you the practical skills and knowledge to design and synthesise molecules that have therapeutic actions within the body.

The ultimate aim is to invent more selective and safer drugs to fight and cure disease. We also want to fully exploit the opportunities from identification of genes associated with a range of cancers, inherited disorders and agents of disease.

Specialist classes focus on:
-Disease targets
-Design of selectively-acting prototype drugs
-Synthetic and mimetic strategies in producing drug prototypes
-The refinement of activity when a promising compound is identified
Case studies of well-known drugs are used to illustrate the principles

You’ll study

The course consists of three theory and three practical modules running between October and April. These are followed by exams. If you pass all exams and want to proceed to MSc you’ll undertake a 10-week research project and submit a thesis at the end of August.

There is a six-week preliminary conversion course starting 1 August that covers basic and underpinning organic chemistry and organic spectroscopy. Successful completion and examination results in the conversion course will allow you to transfer to the MSc in Medicinal Chemistry.

Facilities

The Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry carries out world-leading research with modern state-of-the-art facilities. You’ll have access to the full range of analytical instrumentation used in the pharmaceutical industry:
-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
-Ultra-Violet (UV)
-Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR_FTIR)
-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
-Gas Chromatography (GC)
-Liquid Chromatograph/Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/GC-MS)
-X-ray crystallography

Teaching staff

Course material is taught by experts based in the Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry and the Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences.

There’s additional specialised lectures from visiting professors and world-renowned scientists who are working in the pharmaceutical industry.

Course content

-Conversion Course
-Advanced Organic Chemistry
-Chemical Biology
-Principles of Modern Medicinal Chemistry
-Advanced Biochemical Methods
-Project & Dissertation

Learning & teaching

Teaching of theory and applications is through lectures and tutorials. The material is further reinforced with practical sessions, which provide hands-on experience with a wide range of modern instrumental techniques.

Assessment

Assessment is through both written and practical exams and submission of a thesis.

Careers

Graduates from this course will be ideal for positions in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries or may continue their studies into PhD research.

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Our degrees are centered on the development and performance of an original research project, culminating in a thesis. UNB Chemistry has a long history and an outstanding reputation, both nationally and internationally, for accomplishments in research. Our faculty lead innovative research programmes in all key areas of modern chemistry.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in industries including pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, materials science and chemical analysis, as well as education and academia. The broad range of research expertise provided by our faculty, coupled with excellent technical support and a collaborative environment, make our department an excellent environment for young researchers to develop their expertise and to make significant scientific contributions.

We generally have about 15-20 graduate students in the program. Our graduate students have access to extensive research labs in the department – each research group have their own dedicated research space and facilities.

There are also some shared instrumental facilities, both within the department (e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallography facilities) and elsewhere on campus (e.g., Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility). Technical support includes both a glass-blowing shop and an electronics shop housed in the department as well as the Science Stores for provision of research supplies and chemicals.

Request More Information

You can request more information about our Graduate Programs here: http://www.unb.ca/admissions/request-information.html

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The Department of Medical Biophysics, an interdisciplinary department with three fields—Cellular and Molecular Biology, Medical Physics, and Molecular and Structural Biology—is located primarily at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the Toronto Medical Discovery Tower, and the Sunnybrook Research Institute.

The department offers opportunities for research—leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees—in a variety of problems in medical science; projects which cut across the conventional boundaries of biology, physics, engineering, chemistry, and medicine are encouraged. The department emphasizes basic and applied research related to cancer. Projects include the following areas: tumour biology, radiobiology, membrane function, molecular interactions, gene expression, cell differentiation and growth control, viral and chemical carcinogenesis, cellular and molecular immunology, hemopoiesis, macromolecular structure via x-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and electron microscopy, the physics and engineering of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy, development of imaging and therapy systems using x-rays, ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance, light and electron optics.

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Our modular distance learning programme provides you with a grounding in the structure of proteins, and the main techniques that are used to study protein structure.

Structural biology allows you to understand how macromolecules work at the atomic level of detail. This is important, particularly in designing drugs which act at the molecular level to affect macromolecules. Increasingly, research uses a range of complementary biophysical and structural techniques to study protein-protein interactions. This requires that researchers have some understanding of what all these techniques can achieve. This programme is designed to give the theoretical background required to use this range of methods.

Why study this course at Birkbeck?

Study by distance learning, wherever you are in the world, with our internet-based teaching.
Graduates are well placed to study for PhDs, start professional research careers, or change disciplines to encompass this important area of modern molecular biology.
Part of the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, a joint initiative with University College London.
Birkbeck houses state-of-the-art equipment for X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy and tomography and associated image processing. We have excellent facilities for UV and CD spectroscopy, calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy, ultracentrifugation, and protein expression and purification in the biochemical and molecular biology laboratories. We have a 158 processor cluster for intensive data processing. All areas have specialised computer equipment for data analysis, molecular graphics and molecular modelling and programming.

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About the course

This course is designed with industry in mind. We have also partnered with Engineering Materials and Physics to encompass the breadth of modern polymer science and technology. You’ll become the kind of high-calibre polymer science graduate needed to develop new products and processes in a variety of industries.

Through a combination of theory and practice, we’ll teach you about polymer synthesis, physics, characterisation and the latest developments in polymer research. When you design and conduct your own extended research project, you can look in more detail at the areas you’re most interested in and learn how to communicate your science to the chemical community.

Your future

Our graduates are highly valued in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector. They work all over the world for companies including AkzoNobel, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Corus, Dow Chemicals, GSK, Smith and Nephew and Syngenta. Many move on to PhD study, then careers in research or teaching.

Chemistry is vital to the way we live. It helps power industry and drive economic growth. Polymer science contributes to advances in everything from biology to engineering and medicine. As a researcher in industry or academia you could be involved in work that improves lives and changes the way we see the world.

Learn from world-class research

Top-quality research directly informs our teaching. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) rates 98 per cent of our work world-class or internationally excellent. You’ll learn about the very latest developments from experts in theory and spectroscopy, synthesis, analytical science, chemical biology and materials.

Labs, equipment and training

We’ll train you to use our modern analytical instrumentation. We have NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, x-ray crystallography, polymer characterisation methods and advanced microscopy. We also have a team of technicians to assist with spectroscopic services. There are labs for molecular biology, protein chemistry, polymer/colloid synthesis and materials characterisation.

Core modules

Fundamental Polymer Chemistry; The Physics of Polymers; Biopolymers and Biomaterials; Polymer Characterisation and Analysis; Research and Presentation Skills and Polymer Laboratory Skills; Extended Research Project.

Examples of optional modules

Smart Polymers and Polymeric Materials; Polymers with Controlled Structures; Design and Manufacture of Composites; Polymer Fibre Composite Materials; Macromolecules at Interfaces and Structured Organic Films; Electronics and Photonics.

Teaching and assessment

We use a mixture of lectures, practicals, workshops and individual research projects. The optional modules in the second semester enable you to specialise in two specific areas of polymer science. You can also tailor your research project to your particular interests.

For all taught modules, written exams contribute 75 per cent towards your final grade. The other 25 per cent comes from continuous assessment, which might include essays on specialised topics or assessed workshops. You also produce a 15,000-word dissertation based on your research project.

Your research project

This can be based in an academic group at the University, or in industry. If it’s industry- based, the topic is usually suggested by the company you’re working with. You may be expected to liaise closely with the company to organise your project.

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Bioscience research at Newcastle is part of the Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences. We integrate traditional bioscience disciplines to investigate the steps from genotype to phenotype. Our research also incorporates chemistry, biophysics and eukaryotic-microbial models.

We offer MPhil supervision in all of our main research areas. You will join a vibrant research community of about 100 postgraduate research students in the Institute. You will work in one of our established research groups alongside postdoctoral researchers, senior students and staff. You will be encouraged to present your work in the Institute and at scientific meetings.

Our staff are successful in attracting postgraduate funding from diverse sources, such as:
-UK Research Councils, including a BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership
-Industrial CASE awards
-Charities
-UK and international government initiatives

Our results in the Research Excellence Framework 2014 were exceptional. We were ranked 1st for research output amongst all UK submitted university biosciences departments (UoA5 - Biological Sciences Unit of Assessment). In the overall scores, the Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences (UoA5) was 5th out of 44 UK submissions.

Our research is divided into four themes, each linked to a research group.

Facilities

Research in the Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences is supported by a wide range of facilities, including services and equipment for:
-Cell imaging
-High throughput technologies
-Bioinformatics and proteomics
-Transcriptomics and X-ray crystallography
-Proteomics and biological mass spectrometry

Underpinning our status as a world leading research institute was the construction of the Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology (CBCB) that was opened in 2010.

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This course in Industrial Physical Biochemistry provides graduates with an advanced knowledge and understanding of physical biochemistry, with particular relevance to industry. Focusing upon technical knowledge and practical skills, the course is ideal for those wishing to pursue careers in research or develop a leading career in the field of physical biochemistry.

Specialist facilities in the School relevant to Industrial Physical Biochemistry include analytical ultracentrifugation, light scattering, protein and carbohydrate biochemistry, and access to Surface Plasmon Resonance, Atomic Force Microscopy, Fluorescence, X-ray crystallography and NMR facilities.

Computing facilities within the School are excellent. Advice on mathematical analysis, statistical design and computer programming is provided.

You will undertake a taught module (Fundamentals of Biomolecular Science) during the autumn semester with lectures, tutorials and a practical. The research module takes place from the start of the course (late September) until the end of August the following year. This is an opportunity to complete a major piece of independent research under the supervision of a member of academic staff. The project can be undertaken wholly or partially in an industrial company’s laboratory in any field of physical biochemistry. There are also two generic training modules.

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