Our MRes Infection Biology programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to join the global fight against infectious diseases which threaten humanity.
Infectious disease remains a major cause of human death but the efficacy of antimicrobial interventions continues to decline. The discovery of novel preventative and therapeutic interventions now critically dependent upon a detailed mechanistic understanding of disease processes, their impact upon human pathobiology and the feasibility of therapeutically targeting such mechanisms.
With a view to training a generation of infection biologists equipped with the skills to tackle this global challenge, the MRes in Infection Biology provides outstanding academic and research training in the molecular and cellular basis of host-microbe interactions in health and disease.
You will learn directly from internationally recognised scientists through joint research, thereby securing a sustained interaction with expert mentors for the duration of the course.
The course provides research training in fundamental aspects of infectious diseases, microbial pathogenesis, host interactions, antimicrobial immunity, and antimicrobial therapy. For the talented student this course provides an excellent training prior to registration for a PhD.
This course will equip you with:
This course aims to:
This course is suitable if you
Most of your practical work is carried out in our teaching laboratories which contain industry standard equipment for cell culture, quantitative nucleic acid and protein analysis and a sophisticated suite of analytical equipment such as HPLC and gas chromatography. In addition many of our research facilities such as flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and mass spectrometry are used in taught modules and research projects and our tutors are experts in these techniques.
You gain
The teaching on the course is split between formal lectures and tutorials, and laboratory-based work. A third of the course is a laboratory-based research project, where students are assigned to a tutor who is an active researcher in the biomedical research centre. Typically, taught modules have a mixture of lectures and tutorials and involve a significant amount of laboratory time. Other modules are tutorial-led with considerable input from the course leader who acts as personal tutor.
Tutors complete research within the Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre into cancer, musculoskeletal diseases, human reproduction, neurological disease, medical microbiology and immunological basis of disease. Their work is regularly published in international peer-reviewed journals, showing that the course is underpinned by relevant quality research.
The masters (MSc) award is achieved by successfully completing 180 credits.
The postgraduate certificate (PgCert) is achieved by successfully completing 60 credits.
The postgraduate diploma (PgDip) is achieved by successfully completing 120 credits.
Core modules:
Optional modules:
Assessment methods include written examinations and coursework including
Research project assessment includes a written report and viva voce.
As a graduate you can find work in the expanding area of life sciences or enter a career in research. You can find careers in areas such as • medical research in universities hospital laboratories or research institutes • private industry.
The course also provides the skills and knowledge for those wishing to do research at PhD level.
This innovative degree offers a fascinating opportunity to study modern and topical research areas in Cell Biomedicine. You will gain the essential skills required to prepare for your career in either biomedical research, a clinical setting or within the health industry.
This postgraduate degree will provide you with advanced research training in medical aspects of cell biology and pathology and you will conduct your own lab based research project. With a focus on research methods, you will take you research methods to the next level in producing your own research design, understanding ethics in research projects and best practice in handling statistical data-sets. The programme includes a variety of subject-specific lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical work that will give keep you up-to-date with the current advances in the field. You will learn the theoretical and technological aspects of cellular biomedicine and their practical applications within industry.
You will be taught by enthusiastic, research active experts in the field who conduct research in a diverse range of topics that you can choose to study such as cellular and molecular mechanisms of cancer, microbial resistance to antibiotics, immune mechanisms of disease, stem cell research and molecular modelling in cell biology.
You will conduct your research project in our state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with microscopy analysers, autoradiography, flow cytometry, high sensitivity HPLC and LC-MS, and neural stem cell and tissue culture facilities.
You will automatically be a part of our Health Sciences Research Centre, a community of leading experts who are currently investigating a range of topical issues. You will participate in engaging discussions within research seminars on the latest developments within neuroscience and the health sciences.
In this postgraduate programme, you will be trained in medical aspects of cell biology and pathology with a focus on the lab based research project. The programme has a strong focus on research methods and will provide you with necessary skills in research design, ethics and statistical methods.
You will learn the most recent advances in cellular biomedicine by being part of engaging subject-specific lectures, seminars, tutorials and conducting your own research. You will study the theoretical and technological and their practical applications in cellular biomedicine.
Modules:
This postgraduate programme provides both a solid academic basis and practical hands-on experience in the area of cellular biomedical sciences. It will prepare you for careers in academia, clinical research, the health industry or within government organisations.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project is based in the Biomedical Sciences and Sport, Exercise and Health Research Themes within the School of Applied Sciences and is led by Dr Mark Ross (http://www.napier.ac.uk/people/mark-ross) and Dr Graham Wright (http://www.napier.ac.uk/people/graham-wright) and is focused on the role of T-lymphocytes in endothelial proliferation and angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis is a key process in improvement of vascular health, a process involving resident endothelial cells and circulating progenitor cells. However, progenitor cells in peripheral circulation are very low in number. Recently, a sub population of T-lymphocytes have been found to potentially play an important role in stimulating angiogenesis, but the exact phenotype of this population of ‘angiogenic’ T-cells (TANG) has yet to be established.
This project aims to isolate and characterise CD31+ T-cells and the subsequent cellular subsets, and examine the effect of these subsets on endothelial growth and angiogenesis in vitro.
You will be given the opportunity to engage in an active research project that has already yielded publication and work toward your own published work. This will include the use of in vitro models of endothelial cell structure formation and employ a range of techniques such as cell culture, cell isolation (magnetic and flow-based), flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. You will be given the opportunity to engage with an active post-graduate research community (including the chance to present at national/international conferences) and take part in a full training programme aimed at supporting progression to a successful research career.
Lead academic: Dr Martin Nicklin
This flexible course focuses on the molecular and genetic factors of human diseases. Understanding those factors is crucial to the development of therapies.
Core modules cover the fundamentals. You choose specialist modules from the pathway that interests you most.
We also give you practical lab training to prepare you for your research project. The project is five months of invaluable laboratory experience: planning, carrying out, recording and reporting your own research.
Recent graduates work in academic research science, pharmaceuticals and the biotech industry.
You’ll be based in teaching hospitals that serve a population of over half a million people and refer a further two million. We also have close links with the University’s other health-related departments.
Our research funding comes from many sources including the NIHR, MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, the Department of Health, EU, and prominent charities such as the Wellcome Trust, ARC, YCR, Cancer Research UK and BHF. Our partners and sponsors include Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca and Eli Lilly.
You’ll also benefit from our collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
Classes are kept small (15–20 students) to make sure you get the best possible experience in laboratories and in clinical settings.
We have a state-of-the-art biorepository and a £30m stem cell laboratory. The Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) opened in November 2010. We also have microarray, genetics, histology, flow cytometry and high-throughput screening technology, and the latest equipment for bone and oncology research.
At our Clinical Research Facility, you’ll be able to conduct studies with adult patients and volunteers. The Sheffield Children’s Hospital houses a complementary facility for paediatric experimental medical research.
If your course involves a significant risk of exposure to human blood or other body fluids and tissue, you’ll need to complete a course of Hepatitis B immunisation before starting. We conform to national guidelines that are in place to protect patients, health care workers and students.
Genetic Mechanisms pathway
Microbes and Infection pathway
Experimental Medicine pathway
Cancer pathway
Cardiovascular pathway
Clinical Applications pathway
Apply directly to this pathway. Available only to medical graduates. Students are recruited to a specialist clinical team and pursue the taught programme (1-5) related to the attachment. They are then attached to a clinical team for 20 weeks, either for a clinical research project or for clinical observations. See website for more detail and current attachments.
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory demonstrations, computer practicals and student presentations.
Assessment is continuous. Most modules are assessed by written assignments and coursework, although there are some written exams.
Two modules are assessed by verbal presentations.
Your research project is assessed by a thesis, possibly with a viva.
Immunology is linked to our ability to remain healthy and free of disease - fighting off infections and disease and understanding our genetic factors and risk factors in inheriting disease. You look at behavioural factors and their links to disease to understand protection methods and you go into the detail of bioinformatics and genomics to understand DNA and analyse within practical research when you test for specific issues such as stress, hunger and so on and responses in the body.
The programme is designed for you to develop your academic knowledge of immunology and its relevance to disease with analysis and research skills designed to enhance your career prospects, or continue to PhD. You can use your training within educational establishments to apply training, work in patents, science outreach and public engagement.
Focusing on the relevance of the immune response in the maintenance of health and development of disease, graduates will be able to attain the intellectual and practical skills needed to address both theoretical and technical aspects of modern biomedical research.
In common with the other molecular biosciences Masters courses, the MSc in Immunology & Immunotherapy builds on recent advances in genomics to understand the generation of immunological diversity at a cellular level, how this imparts variability in immune responses at the individual and population level and the relevance of the immune system in disease areas such as autoimmunity, cancer, allergy and microbial infections.
You may also be interested in the Scottish Innovation Centres research and enterprise work with companies in Scotland to find out more about the possibilities in this area of health science and spin-out research going on from Aberdeen and other universities:
Semester 1
Semester 2
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about fees:
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
Whole genome sequencing has opened up a new era of studies into the molecular and cellular basis of human disease. This unique research-led masters course provides training to future scientists in the production and use of animal models for basic research into disease mechanisms and for therapeutic studies.
The new molecular genetic and cellular approaches to understand human disease and disease processes in model systems are well established in our department, with some of the world’s foremost research in these areas being conducted in Sheffield. As the research base broadens and industry begins to adopt new technologies, the demand for this type of specialist training is strong across the healthcare industry and academia. As a graduate, you will gain high-level employment opportunities.
Graduates with skills in stem cell and regenerative medicine are in demand. Your degree will prepare you for a career in research in academia or industry, or in a clinical-related field. Our graduates are working all over the world – from the UK to China, India and the USA – and over half go on to doctoral study.
The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) rates us No 1 in the UK for research in this field. Our international reputation attracts highly motivated staff and students. Sheffield is a vibrant place to take a masters based on pioneering research.
Regular seminars from distinguished international experts help you to connect your studies to the latest developments. We’re also part of collaborative research groups for developmental biology, cell biology, physiology, pharmacology, neuroscience, models of human disease, stem cell science and regenerative medicine.
Our three research centres focus on translating laboratory research to the clinical environment: Bateson Centre, the Centre for Stem Cell Biology, and the Centre for Membrane Interactions and Dynamics.
We have a long track record of groundbreaking discoveries. These include breakthroughs in human stem cells for hearing repair, and the generation of animal models for Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, muscular dystrophies and their use for therapeutic studies.
We have purpose-built facilities for drosophila, zebrafish, chick and mouse genetics and for molecular physiology. Other facilities provide all the tools you’ll need to examine and analyse a range of cellular structures. We have an electron and a light microscopy centre, a PCR robotics facility, a flow cytometry unit and an RNAi screening facility.
There are lectures, practical classes, tutorials and seminars. In small group teaching classes you’ll discuss, debate and present on scientific and ethical topics. Laboratory placements within the department provide you with one-to-one attention, training and support to do your individual research project. Assessment is by formal examinations, coursework assignments, debates, poster presentations and a dissertation.
Our teaching covers ethics, practical scientific skills and an overview of the current literature. You’ll also develop useful career skills such as presentation, communication and time management.
If you have a background in biomedical science, biology, medicine and life sciences, this course allows you to develop your knowledge in selected areas of biomedical science.
You gain advanced knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of disease, with focus on the underlying cellular processes that lead to disease. You also learn about the current methods used in disease diagnosis and develop practical skills in our well-equipped teaching laboratories.
As well as studying the fundamentals of pathology, you can choose one specialist subject from • cellular pathology • microbiology and immunology • blood sciences. Your work focuses on the in vitro diagnosis of disease. You develop the professional skills needed to further your career. These skills include • research methods and statistics • problem solving • the role of professional bodies and accreditation • regulation and communication.
This course is taught by active researchers in the biomedical sciences who have on-going programmes of research in the Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre together with experts from hospital pathology laboratories.
Most of your practical work is carried out in our teaching laboratories which contain industry standard equipment for cell culture, quantitative nucleic acid and protein analysis and a sophisticated suite of analytical equipment such as HPLC and gas chromatography.
Many of our research facilities including flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and mass spectrometry are also used in taught modules and projects and our tutors are experts in these techniques.
The teaching on the course is split between formal lectures and tutorials, and laboratory-based work. A third of the course is a laboratory-based research project, where full-time students are assigned to a tutor who is an active research in the biomedical research centre. Part-time students carry out their research project within the workplace under the guidance of a workplace and university supervisor.
Three core modules each have two full-day laboratory sessions and the optional module applied biomedical techniques is almost entirely lab-based. Typically taught modules have a mixture of lectures and tutorials. The research methods and statistics modules are tutorial-led with considerable input from the course leader who acts as personal tutor.
The course content is underpinned by relevant high quality research. Our teaching staff regularly publish research articles in international peer-reviewed journals and are actively engaged in research into • cancer • musculoskeletal diseases • human reproduction • neurological disease • hospital acquired infection • immunological basis of disease.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) who commended us on
The masters (MSc) award is achieved by successfully completing 180 credits.
The postgraduate certificate (PgCert) is achieved by successfully completing 60 credits.
The postgraduate diploma (PgDip) is achieved by successfully completing 120 credits.
Core modules
Optional modules
Assessment methods include written examinations and coursework such as
Research project assessment includes a written report, presentation and portfolio.
This course enables you to start to develop your career in various applications of biomedical science including pathology, government funded research labs or the life sciences industry. It is also for scientists working in hospital or bioscience-related laboratories particularly as biomedical scientists who want to expand their knowledge and expertise in this area.
Lead academic: Dr Jonathan Wood
Translational Neuroscience looks at how laboratory research relating to brain structure and function informs the development of new therapies for diseases of the nervous system.
Combining the research strengths from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health and the Faculty of Science, leading international basic and clinical scientists will provide an innovative and progressive programme. You’ll study basic neurobiology and molecular biology through to neuroimaging and applied clinical practice.
The MSc will provide you with up-to-date knowledge of advances in the field, research experience with internationally renowned research groups and transferable skills to provide a springboard for your future career.
You’ll be based in teaching hospitals that serve a population of over half a million people and refer a further two million. We also have close links with the University’s other health-related departments.
Our research funding comes from many sources including the NIHR, MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, the Department of Health, EU, and prominent charities such as the Wellcome Trust, ARC, YCR, Cancer Research UK and BHF. Our partners and sponsors include Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca and Eli Lilly.
You’ll also benefit from our collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
Classes are kept small (15–20 students) to make sure you get the best possible experience in laboratories and in clinical settings.
We have a state-of-the-art biorepository and a £30m stem cell laboratory. The Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) opened in November 2010. We also have microarray, genetics, histology, flow cytometry and high-throughput screening technology, and the latest equipment for bone and oncology research.
At our Clinical Research Facility, you’ll be able to conduct studies with adult patients and volunteers. The Sheffield Children’s Hospital houses a complementary facility for paediatric experimental medical research.
If your course involves a significant risk of exposure to human blood or other body fluids and tissue, you’ll need to complete a course of Hepatitis B immunisation before starting. We conform to national guidelines that are in place to protect patients, health care workers and students.
A 20-week Research Project will be undertaken in the summer term.
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory demonstrations, computer practicals and student-led group work.
Assessment is primarily by written assignments and coursework, although there are some written examinations and oral presentations. The research project is assessed by a thesis and presentation.
Lead academic: Dr Trevor Austin
This course provides the opportunity for doctors with a developing interest in medical education to explore the theoretical principles underpinning medical education and consider how this relates to their practice.
The course aims to develop medical educators who are informed and understand the core principles and issues in medical education.
It is coordinated through the Academic Unit of Medical Education and delivered in collaboration with the Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care.
You’ll be based in teaching hospitals that serve a population of over half a million people and refer a further two million. We also have close links with the University’s other health-related departments.
Our research funding comes from many sources including the NIHR, MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, the Department of Health, EU, and prominent charities such as the Wellcome Trust, ARC, YCR, Cancer Research UK and BHF. Our partners and sponsors include Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca and Eli Lilly.
You’ll also benefit from our collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
Classes are kept small (15–20 students) to make sure you get the best possible experience in laboratories and in clinical settings.
We have a state-of-the-art biorepository and a £30m stem cell laboratory. The Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) opened in November 2010. We also have microarray, genetics, histology, flow cytometry and high-throughput screening technology, and the latest equipment for bone and oncology research.
At our Clinical Research Facility, you’ll be able to conduct studies with adult patients and volunteers. The Sheffield Children’s Hospital houses a complementary facility for paediatric experimental medical research.
If your course involves a significant risk of exposure to human blood or other body fluids and tissue, you’ll need to complete a course of Hepatitis B immunisation before starting. We conform to national guidelines that are in place to protect patients, health care workers and students.
Seminars, workshops, practical activities and tutorial group discussions. Each module is assessed via a reflective portfolio.
You can go on to study for a PG Diploma or Masters in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
Lead academic: Dr Thomas Jenkins
This course, offering practical clinical exposure, enables you to apply the fundamentals of neuroanatomy and physiology to better understand the clinical features of patients with neurological disease and learn how insights from the laboratory are translated into benefits for patients.
In small group teaching sessions and clinics, you’ll have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to patients with neurological disease. In the final term you may take a research option (Route A) or a Clinical Neurology Experiential Learning Module (Route B).
Students opting for Route A will choose from a range of clinical research projects based at SITraN or within the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. Students opting for Route B will attend additional specialist clinics with patient-centred teaching from experts in the field who will emphasise recent advances in clinical practice.
You’ll be based in teaching hospitals that serve a population of over half a million people and refer a further two million. We also have close links with the University’s other health-related departments.
Our research funding comes from many sources including the NIHR, MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, the Department of Health, EU, and prominent charities such as the Wellcome Trust, ARC, YCR, Cancer Research UK and BHF. Our partners and sponsors include Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca and Eli Lilly.
You’ll also benefit from our collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
Classes are kept small (15–20 students) to make sure you get the best possible experience in laboratories and in clinical settings.
We have a state-of-the-art biorepository and a £30m stem cell laboratory. The Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) opened in November 2010. We also have microarray, genetics, histology, flow cytometry and high-throughput screening technology, and the latest equipment for bone and oncology research.
At our Clinical Research Facility, you’ll be able to conduct studies with adult patients and volunteers. The Sheffield Children’s Hospital houses a complementary facility for paediatric experimental medical research.
If your course involves a significant risk of exposure to human blood or other body fluids and tissue, you’ll need to complete a course of Hepatitis B immunisation before starting. We conform to national guidelines that are in place to protect patients, health care workers and students.
During the autumn and spring terms, you’ll take four taught modules worth 30 credits each:
Complementing the taught modules is a comprehensive programme of clinical demonstrations, integrated learning activities, themed clinics and neuro-anatomy dissection (autumn term) where students will be able to apply the taught theory and further substantiate their understanding of the topic area being studied.
Either a research project (Route A) or a Clinical Neurology Experiential Learning Module (CNELM) (Route B) worth 60 credits is completed in the summer term.
The taught component of the MSc is delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical demonstrations and student-led group work.
Each of the 30-credit modules is assessed using a formal examination (15 credits) and ongoing assessments during the module (15 credits), including essays and oral presentations.
The research project (Route A) is assessed from the written dissertation and research presentation examination. The CNELM (Route B) is assessed by means of a portfolio (30 credits) and a 6,000-word dissertation (30 credits) on an aspect of the sub-speciality chosen for the module.
The portfolio will contain a reflective log, anonymised details of cases seen, and work-based assessments.
