Masters Degrees (Medical Science)

Overview

This award has been designed to facilitate the learning of the generic skills and knowledge essential to successful higher clinical practice. These areas include an understanding of medical education, ability to appraise research and assess clinical effectiveness, an appreciation of medical ethics and management and leadership skills in the health care setting.

Each module consists of a mixture of types of delivery, some online learning and some face-to-face blocks of teaching, utilising a mixture of seminars, group work and short lectures.

There are a number of core modules and then a wide range of modules that are optional. We have designed the award to be as flexible as possible, including enabling students to study some modules from other Keele awards. This award has been mapped against the revised Good Medical Practice from the General Medical Council and can help you demonstrate your commitment to maintaining your fitness to practice for when recertification is introduced as part of medical relicensing.

Course Content

Each module is given a credit rating within the national Masters framework. These may be transferable from or to other institutions where the learning outcomes are comparable.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Science: 60 credits
- Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Science: 120 credits
- Masters in Medical Science: total 180 credits

(The Masters degree must be completed within five years of registration, the Diploma within four years and the Certificate within three years. It will be possible to complete a Masters Degree in Medical Science in two years.)

Course Modules

- Communication Skills for Health Professionals in Clinical Practice (15 credits) – The module aims to develop excellent communication skills through an approach based on skills and values, to explore the theory and evidence underpinning communication skills teaching and to enable participants to use a skills-based approach to teach others

- Strategic Management of Patients with Long-Term Conditions (15 credits) – The module aims to provide participants with an effective framework for planning, delivering and evaluating care packages for patients with chronic conditions, based on the National Service Frameworks and the principles of clinical governance It explores the natural history, impact and outcomes of chronic disease, using cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and epilepsy as models

- Contemporary Challenges in Healthcare Ethics and Law (15 credits) – To provide students with a high quality introduction to ethical issues in health care and the knowledge and skills for further work in the subject

- Medical Education (15 credits) – Much of a doctor’s professional life is concerned with facilitating the learning of junior medical staff, as well as contributing to the education of other health professionals and patients. This module blends active learning on a teaching the teachers course with a virtual learning environment online – to enable you to study at a time and place more convenient to you

- Statistics and Epidemiology (15 credits) – A basic appreciation of epidemiology and statistics is invaluable in understanding published literature and in designing studies, both research and audit studies

- Health Informatics (15 credits) – This module aims to acquaint participants with the ways in which information technology can support clinicians, patients and managers

- The Interface between Primary and Secondary Care (15 credits) – This module aims to provide an understanding of UK health care in the context of primary and secondary care providers

- Research Methods (15 credits) – This module aims to introduce students to issues in health research and to research methodology

- Leadership and Management for Healthcare Professionals (15 credits) – A significant part of a clinician’s professional life is spent as a leader and dealing with managers and aspects of management, often despite minimal experience and training in this area

- Clinical Effectiveness – (15 credits) – To familiarise students with the methods and processes of critical evaluation of the professional literature and applying this clinically and as a self-learning model

- Reflective Practice (15 credits) – This module explores the nature of professional practice, using the paradigm of ‘The Reflective Practitioner’. It uses a variety of methods and participants’ current clinical practice to develop skills of ‘reflection in action’

- Contemporary Mental Health Issues in Primary Care (15 credits) – Mental health remains one of the biggest and most challenging areas in primary care practice. There can be significant gaps in the training of new GPs in psychiatric issues and very few universities offer courses in mental health for updating and continuing professional development. This module aims to help reduce the stigma of mental illness amongst clinicians by increasing awareness, knowledge and skills.

Dissertation

The award of an MMedSci follows successful completion of the taught modules which make up the Diploma in Medical Science and submission of a further 60 credits worth of learning. This latter may be a research dissertation in a subject related to the individual’s speciality, in which case all candidates will also be expected to have completed the Research Methods and usually the Statistics and Epidemiology modules. A practice-based project is another possibility such as evaluation of changes implemented in a clinical setting, educational projects, or exploration of ethical dilemmas. It is expected to be a significant piece of work and we encourage all students to consider aiming for publication of their findings.

All candidates will be expected to have a local clinical supervisor for their project and educational supervision will continue to be provided by the award team. Previous experience has shown us that this is an extremely popular component of the Degree. Candidates have often published or presented their dissertation at Regional and National meetings.

Additional Costs

Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for this postgraduate programme.

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Overview

This award has been designed to facilitate the learning of the generic skills and knowledge essential to successful higher clinical practice. The emphasis is on stroke care, but also covers areas such as an understanding of Medical Education, Leadership for Health Professionals, Clinical Effectiveness and Research Methodology.

Each module consists of a mixture of different types of delivery, with some on line learning and face to face teaching, utilising a mixture of seminars, group work or short lectures.

There are a number of CORE modules and then a wide range of other generic modules that are optional. We have designed the award to be as flexible as possible, including enabling students to study some modules from other Keele awards.

See the website https://www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/medicalsciencestroke/

Course Content

Each module is given a credit rating within the national Masters framework. These may be transferable from or to other institutions where the learning outcomes are comparable.
Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Science: 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Science: 120 credits
Masters in Medical Science: 180 credits
(The Masters Degree must be completed within five years of registration, the Diploma within four years and the Certificate within three years. It will be possible to complete a Masters Degree in Medical Science in two years.)

Core Modules :

Acute and Hyperacute Stroke (15 credits)
Acute stroke care is a rapidly changing field with new investigations and treatments emerging. This module will address acute stoke unit care, thrombolysis, advanced imaging (e.g. CT angiography, perfusion/diffusion imaging, MRI, transcranial Doppler) and interventional treatments (e.g. intra-arterial thrombolysis and thrombectomy) and integration of clinical practice with research. It aims to respond to the need for healthcare professionals who can rise to the challenge of rapid changes in stroke care. This module will provide technical updating and personal development for those involved in front line stroke services by using small group teaching, on-line exams and practice in audit to enhance service delivery.

Community Stroke: Prevention and Life after Stroke (15 credits)
The NHS of the future will need creative, imaginative healthcare professionals who can rise to the challenge of service redesign and improvement. This module, through a reflective portfolio of cases will enable students to develop as critical thinkers and use those skills to develop project proposals for changes to practice. Employers will see their staff develop the skills to research, argue for and develop projects that they can see will make a difference in the areas of stroke prevention and life after stroke. Students will learn the skills to turn their ideas into practice.

Stroke Service Development and Improvement (15 credits)
Mortality of stoke has significantly reduced over the last 10 years, and fewer patients remain dependent with changes in service delivery and improved care. This module further develops the ability of participants to become leaders and change managers in the field of stroke service provision. Building on the module Community Stroke: Prevention and Life After Stroke (which is a pre-requisite) those closest to the needs of patients will have the chance to implement their ideas for how services need to change. The key output of the module will be a result of a pilot developed, implemented and evaluated by the student.

Stroke Research (15 credits)
Research has led to great improvement in stroke care over the last decade. Through the infrastructure of stroke research networks more patients and staff are actively involved in the delivery of stroke research. This module has been designed to build on this experience of research and to enable participants to mover form delivering research to developing their own ideas into research projects. The development of an idea into a research protocol, user involvement, networking with professional bodies and other service providers, and becoming familiar with the grant application process will be covered. Students will meet experienced researchers, undertake private study and also receive feedback in small groups about their research ideas from peers and the module leader.

Optional Modules:

Concepts of Neurological Rehabilitation (15 credits)
Assistive Technologies in Neuromuscular Rehabilitation (15 credits)
Research Methods (15 credits)
Leadership and Management for Healthcare Professionals (15 credits)
Clinical Effectiveness (15 credits)
Contemporary Challenges in Healthcare Ethics and Law (15 credits)
Statistics and Epidemiology (15 credits)
Strategic Management of Patients with Long Term Conditions (15 credits).
The Interface between Primary and Secondary Care (15 credits)
Literature searching and synthesis (15 credits)

Dissertation:
The award of an MMedSci (Stroke) follows successful completion of the taught modules which make up the Diploma in Medical Science and submission of a further 60 credits worth of learning. This latter may be a research dissertation on a subject related to the individual’s specialty, in which case candidates will also be expected to have completed the Research Methods, Literature Searching and Synthesis, or the Statistics and Epidemiology modules depending on the type of research. A practice based project is another possibility, such as evaluation of changes implemented in a clinical setting, educational projects, or exploration of ethical dilemmas in policy and/or practice. It is expected to be a significant piece of work, and we encourage all students to consider aiming for publication of their findings. All candidates will be expected to have a local clinical supervisor for their project and educational supervision will continue to be provided by the award team. Previous experience has shown us that this is an extremely popular component of the Degree. Candidates have often published or presented their dissertation at Regional and National meetings.

Teaching & Assessment

Each module consists of a mixture of different types of delivery, with some on line learning and face to face teaching, utilising a mixture of seminars, group work or short lectures.

Additional Costs

Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for this postgraduate programme.

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Studies are carried out by science graduates, medical students combining clinical training and clinically qualified doctors undertaking scientific training. Research covers the whole spectrum of medical science from basic biology to clinical therapies. Along with the specific research training provided in the laboratory in which you work, you receive further training within the department in the form of graduate workshops concentrating on research techniques, research seminars both on the Addenbrooke's site and elsewhere in the University, and graduate student seminars dealing with generic skills such as intellectual property rights, writing a thesis or paper, and entrepreneurship.

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

Course details

Students should expect to receive on-going feedback from all supervisors involved in their research project. In addition, the principal supervisor will write termly reports on the online Cambridge Graduate Supervision Reporting System which can be accessed by the student. Students should expect to receive face-to-face supervision throughout each term, with the duration and frequency depending on the nature of the project

Assessment

The MPhil in Medical Science is examined by dissertation and viva. The dissertation must be no longer than 20,000 words and must satisfy the examiners that the candidate can design and carry out an original investigation, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject

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.2016.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/funding

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The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programs in Medical Science are available in a wide range of basic sciences, clinical sciences, and population health research. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, a student receives specialized training and exposure to Toronto's finest multidisciplinary research. Students conduct research in one of six fields:
-Biomedical Science
-Clinical Science
-Population Health/Health Services
-Bioethics
-Health Professions Education
-Radiation Oncology

The full-time MSc and PhD programs emphasize hands-on research, rather than coursework. Faculty conduct research in the following areas: cardiovascular sciences, bioethics, neuroscience, membrane biology, respiratory medicine, and psychosomatic medicine. The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) is the graduate unit of choice for MDs seeking training as clinician investigators, and graduates may seek positions as academics and health care professionals in universities, government, and industry. The IMS participates in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Clinical Investigator Program (CIP).

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Overview

The one year, part time Postgraduate Certificate offers an exciting opportunity for those working within clinical audit to pursue a taught postgraduate qualification. The overall aims of the course is to improve the quality and effectiveness of clinical audit projects and programmes; enhance the value of clinical audit at individual, team and organisation level and to support the professional development of those working in clinical audit – whether at clinical or non-clinical level.

See the website https://www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/medicalscienceclinicalaudit/

Course Aims

The programme will:
• explore clinical audit within wider health policy and regulatory contexts
• promote greater understanding of governance, quality, assurance and the management of risk within and between healthcare organisations
• equip students with an appreciation of system design, thereby enabling the critical review and further development of clinical audit rameworks
• develop practical skills in clinical audit
• enable participants to effectively engage and motivate others so as to bring about change and quality improvement
• actively support the development of clinical audit within the NHS (or other, health-related) organisations

The PG Certificate will normally be available part time, over one year. However, it may be possible for students to take the PG Certificate over two years, by agreement. A variety of teaching methods will be used in both the face-to-face and online elements of the course. In addition to lectures, presentations and tutor-led discussion, there will be opportunities for students to undertake group exercises as well as complete an extended project relevant to their own role.

Course Content

The PG Certificate requires successful completion of four, 15 credit modules. The modules are:
• Governance and Assurance in Healthcare
• Clinical Audit
• Managing Change and Quality Improvement
• Realising the Potential of Quality Audit

Course Content
Induction Session (including Study Skills and an Introduction to the University e-learning system)

Module One: Governance and Assurance in Healthcare
This module will enable participants to critically consider the governance requirements and regulatory frameworks which apply to healthcare organisations and within this the role and value of clinical audit as a source of assurance. The key focus will be on governance and healthcare in the NHS, although the module will draw on developments in other sectors and countries as these have influenced the requirements placed on healthcare organisations in the United Kingdom.

Core topics include:
• Understanding the NHS: Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships
• What is Governance and Why Does It Matter?
• Governance, Risk, & Assurance within the NHS
• Assuring the Quality of Care: The Pivotal Role of Clinical Audit

Module Two: Clinical Audit:
This module considers what constitutes robust clinical audit (at both strategy, programme and project level) and explores the value of clinical audit at all levels of an organisation - locating this within the wider quality framework for an organisation or team. The module also provides an opportunity for students to critically review the key stages within the clinical audit cycle, develop their skills in planning and undertaking audits and identify the key challenges involved in managing clinical audit projects and programmes.

Module Three: Managing Change and Quality Improvement:
All healthcare organisations are dependent on their staff, so how do you get the best from them? This module explores the core concepts associated with change so as to enable students to effectively manage the behavioural and organisational issues associated with audit and quality improvement programmes. The aim is for students to (i) develop strategies and actions and (ii) be able to apply a range of different tools and techniques which together enable them to contribute to the successful delivery of sustainable change across professional, functional and hierarchical boundaries.

Module Four: Realising the Potential of Quality Audit:
This module requires students to bring together the knowledge and skills from earlier in their programme of study and to purposefully apply these in a well researched, extended project. Students will be required to critically examine a self-chosen empirical issue or, preferably, a specific work-related problem and develop a related action plan.

Teaching & Assessment

The Postgraduate Certificate is assessed through coursework. This will involve completion of individual and group exercises together with submission of a formal assignment at the end of each module. There will be a choice of assignment subjects for each module and assignment titles, submission deadlines and reading lists will be supplied at the start of the course.

Further Study:
The PG Certificate in Medical Science (Clinical Audit) provides a bespoke introduction to clinical audit at postgraduate level and is a qualification in its own right. However, should students wish to continue their studies, the course has been designed to act as a precursor to further academic study at Keele University and other institutions. Students who successfully complete the PGCertificate can, for example, progress onto the Diploma or Masters in Medical Science within the Faculty of Health at Keele.

Additional Costs

Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for this postgraduate programme.

Find information on Scholarships here - http://www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding/bursariesscholarships/

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Overview

The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR) is one of the leading research institutions in the UK and provides a unique interface between clinical and basic biomedical science. Its major goal is to determine and understand the molecular mechanisms underlying human disease. The strength of the institute is that members work on a variety of diseases using a wide range of methodologies which makes it a superb place for graduate training in biological and medical sciences. CIMR has ~30 group leaders working in a range of disease mechanisms, including misfolded proteins and disease, intracellular membrane trafficking and cell biology, immunity and haematopoietic biology.

The Cambridge Institute offers a one-year full-time MPhil programme of research under individual supervision of Principal Investigators based in CIMR. This course can also be taken as part-time option over two years. During their MPhil the students are based in a research group, supported by their primary supervisor and the CIMR Graduate Education Committee.

There is no taught and examined course work, but students are encouraged to attend research seminars at the Addenbrooke's Biomedical Research Campus and elsewhere in the University, as well as graduate student seminars dealing with generic skills such as intellectual property rights, writing a thesis or paper, and entrepreneurship. Students write a dissertation, which is examined via an oral examination.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvimmpmsc

Continuing

Continuation from MPhil to PhD is possible although it is not automatic. All cases are judged on their own merits based on a number of factors including: evidence of progress and research potential; a sound research proposal; the availability of a suitable supervisor and of resources required for the research; acceptance by the Head of Department and the Degree Committee.

Teaching

- One to one supervision
Students are supervised by the PI and senior post docs. Discussions are provided on a daily basis at the bench and weekly during lab meetings and journal clubs. The supervisor on average will meet with the student every two weeks to discuss progress.

- Seminars & classes
This is a research based MPhil.

- Practicals
There are no practicals outside the laboratory-based work

- Small group teaching
Regular lab meetings within the research group

- Feedback
The supervisor on average will meet with the student on a one-to-one basis every two weeks to discuss progress with the student.

Assessment

- Thesis
The MPhil in Medical Science is examined by dissertation and viva. The dissertation must be no longer than 20,000 words and must satisfy the examiners that the candidate can design and carry out an original investigation, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject.

Funding Opportunities

This is not a core funded MPhil program. Funding may be arranged on an individual basis with the Principal Investigator or the student may apply for outside fellowships and funding.

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

Find out how to apply here http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvimmpmsc/apply

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvimmpmsc

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Graduate training is very different from undergraduate courses. It is based on individual needs and abilities, and is designed to help you to think clearly, originally and practically, and to prepare you for leadership in science. We teach our graduate students how to plan and carry out cutting-edge research. Cambridge is an amazing place to learn how to do research. Visiting speakers and collaborators come from all over the world, and there are simply too many seminars for one person to attend! We have a careful system of monitoring the individual progress of each student; everyone has both a principal supervisor and associated advisor, and there are weekly student-led seminars.

Research training within the Department has several essential components, the first and foremost being the research project itself, to which you will make a significant contribution. This will give you experience and training in a variety of experimental and/or clinical research techniques, but will also teach you how to organise research, plan experiments, and read and digest the scientific literature relevant to your research work. Most research groups have weekly or fortnightly meetings in which all members discuss each others work.

However, other skills are also important. You will be required to attend seminars and round-tables, and you will have the opportunity to go to scientific meetings both in the UK and abroad. These bring you into direct contact with prominent and active scientists in your field from around the world.

You will also give scientific talks yourself. Audiences for such talks are often quite large, and the discussion of your paper is often very lively. You will also be expected to attend courses, either directly related to your research (for example, they might teach you a specific skill or expand your theoretical knowledge) or teach you general skills which are important for well-qualified scientist to know (for example, how to write a scientific paper, use databases, or interact with the media). There are a large number of these courses, and many of them are run by the the Graduate School of Life Sciences, but the Department has its own series of seminars and workshops and an annual Spring School, which is focused each year on a different topic.

We expect our graduate students to publish in high quality journals, and nearly all of them do so.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcnmpmds

Format

You will be assigned a principal supervisor, whom you should expect to see on a regular basis. The department will also appoint a second supervisor whom you will meet less regularly. Typically the second supervisor provides expertise in a related field.

There is a weekly seminar programme that is given by all graduates students in the department. MPhil students get to present their work towards the end of their course. They receive formal feedback on their presentation from the course director.

All students attend regular laboratory meetings with their research group, have one-to-one meetings with their supervisor and co-supervisor, and give a seminar to the department which is scored by the audience. The Director of Training meets all students at least once a year.

Assessment

The MPhil in Medical Science is examined by dissertation and viva. The dissertation must be no longer than 20,000 words and must satisfy the examiners that the candidate can design and carry out an original investigation, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject.

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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Overview

Applications are co-ordinated by CRUK CI. Prior to submitting the on-line application form (GRADSAF), you should identify a supervisor in the Institute who is willing to host you for M.Phil study. The Institute accepts only a few M.Phil students every year, mainly because bench space is very limited and so competition for places is particularly fierce. In the main, applicants are successful if they are recognized as bringing a valuable technique or methodology to their host lab.

The MPhil course lasts for 12 months, during which time the student is expected to complete a research project, and write and submit a thesis of less than 20,000 words in length. The student will then be examined orally on the thesis and on the wider field of knowledge into which it falls. The students are provided with information which clearly sets out what is expected of them during their period of research in order to obtain their degree.

Each student has a principal supervisor and is also assigned an adviser who provides additional support. In addition, Ann Kaminski (Head of Scientific Administration) acts as the first point of contact for any student with a query or difficulty that is not directly related to their scientific work.

All student matters in the Institute are overseen by the Cancer Biology Graduate Education Committee, which has the well-being of our students at heart. All first year graduate students are required to attend a series of around 30 lectures on cancer biology which take place in the Institute. The lectures are given by specialists in their fields and they aim to provide all students with a comprehensive overview of cancer biology, ranging from basic cell biology through to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Throughout their period at the Institute, all students are expected to participate in journal clubs, lab meetings, lectures and seminars. They are also encouraged to take advantage of the numerous and varied types of transferable skills training offered by both the Institute and the University. Students are encouraged to attend scientific meetings relevant to their course of study. All students in the Institute are members of the student-run Graduate Society which organises regular scientific and social events.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrmpmsc

Teaching

The MPhil in Medical Science course is exclusively by research. The project and supervisor are determined during the application process. In addition to the principal supervisor, it is likely that the student will also be appointed a day-to-day supervisor who is able to provide hands-on assistance. Given the interdisciplinary nature of some of the projects, students will also be expected to seek guidance from other colleagues, including post-docs and core facility staff. Students will participate in the Institute's weekly seminar programme.

- One to one supervision
Formal supervision approximately one hour per week, plus also day-to-day supervision in the lab.

- Lectures
2 hours per week

- Journal clubs
5 hours per term

- Feedback
Students should expect to receive on-going feedback from all supervisors involved in their research project. In addition, the principal supervisor will write termly reports on Cambridge Graduate Supervision Reporting System.

Assessment

- Thesis
The student is expected to submit a thesis, which should be less than 20,000 words in length and post-submission, the student will be examined orally by two examiners on the content of the thesis and on the wider field of their research area.

- Other
The student is expected to give a brief presentation (15 - 20 minutes) to the Institute approximately 10 weeks after commencing study. This allows the student to introduce him/herself to all colleagues and to inform them of the nature of his/her project.

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

Find out how to apply here http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrmpmsc/apply

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrmpmsc

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The Metabolic Research Laboratories (MRL) considers applications for a 1-year MPhil by research from both basic scientists and clinical trainees.

Students undertake a specific research project, typically of 12 months duration, under the supervision of a principal investigator at MRI and submit a dissertation which is examined for the MPhil in Medical Sciences.

Before making a formal application, applicants should contact individual Investigators whose work interests them to discuss potential projects and availability of funding.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcbmpmds

Course detail

Students receive training in scientific laboratory skills and methods appropriate to the project. Graduate students also attend regular weekly seminars given by local, national and international speakers, and are encouraged to attend appropriate training courses provided by the University Graduate School of Life Sciences. They have opportunities to present their work at group meetings and seminars within the Metabolic Research Laboratories as well as at conferences and symposia.

There is an energetic student community at the MRL that organises regular events such as a student journal club and an annual student symposium.

Format

The MPhil programme offered by the Department of Clinical Biochemistry in the Metabolic Research Laboratories (MRL) is a supervised, 1-year, laboratory-based research course, with each student conducting their MPhil project under the direction of their Principal Supervisor. The course is entirely by research.

Students should expect to receive regular supervision from their principal supervisor, ideally at least once a month, and formal feedback each term.

Students also attend regular lab meetings and will present their work at the annual MRL Student Symposium.

Students should expect to receive regular feedback on experimental progress and feedback during writing the MPhil thesis from their principal supervisor. Feedback on poster presentation is provided following the annual student symposium.

Assessment

The MPhil in Medical Science is examined by dissertation and viva. The dissertation must be no longer than 20,000 words and must satisfy the examiners that the candidate can design and carry out an original investigation, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject.

Continuing

Continuation from MPhil to PhD is possible although it is not automatic. All cases are judged on their own merits based on a number of factors including: evidence of progress and research potential; a sound research proposal; the availability of a suitable supervisor, full funding and resources required for the research; acceptance by the Head of Department and the Degree Committee.

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

Funding Opportunities

The Metabolic Research Laboratories have no regular sources of funding to support MPhil students.

Applications can be considered from students with a good prospect of securing their own funding, for example, from GATES awards, awards from the University Trusts, and other personal scholarships.

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

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The Department of Psychiatry is an internationally leading centre for research and teaching in psychiatry, with particular focus on the determinants of mental health conditions, their treatments and the promotion of mental health through innovative translational research. The Department’s senior staff support several research groups, covering various aspects of mental health and disorder throughout the life course.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvpcmpmsc

Course detail

The MPhil degree offered by the Department of Psychiatry is a 12 month full time programme and involves minimal formal teaching; students are integrated into the research culture of the Department and the Institute in which they are based.

Each student conducts their MPhil project under the direction of their Principal Supervisor, with additional teaching and guidance provided by an Advisor, to increase access to staff members and accommodate a diversity of viewpoints.

The subject of the research project is determined during the application process and is influenced by the research interests of the student’s supervisor, i.e. students should apply to study with a group leader whose area of research most appeals to them.

To broaden their knowledge of their chosen field, students are strongly encouraged to attend relevant seminars, lectures and training courses. We also require our students to attend their research group’s research-in-progress/laboratory meetings, at which they are expected to regularly present their ongoing work.

Format

The MPhil course is a full time research course. The supervisor and details of the proposed research project are determined during the application process.

Most research training is provided within the structure of the student’s research group and is overseen by their Principal Supervisor. The student should expect to receive one to one supervision at least weekly in term time.

The structure of the MPhil course enables the students to significantly develop their analytical and research skills, and is intended as preparation for further research.

The MPhil programme provides:

- a period of sustained in-depth study of a specific topic;
- an environment that encourages the student’s originality and creativity in their research;
- skills to enable the student to critically examine the background literature relevant to their specific research area;
the opportunity to develop skills in making and testing hypotheses, in developing new theories, and in planning and conducting experiments;
- the opportunity to expand the student’s knowledge of their research area, including its theoretical foundations and the specific techniques used to study it;
- the opportunity to gain knowledge of the broader field of research in psychiatry;
- an environment in which to develop skills in written work, oral presentation and publishing the results of their research in high-profile scientific journals, through constructive feedback of written work and oral presentations.

At the end of the course, examination for the MPhil degree involves submission of a written dissertation, followed by an oral examination based on both the dissertation and a broader knowledge of the chosen area of research.

Continuing

The MPhil in Medical Science (Psychiatry) degree is a one-year degree, i.e. it is not intended to be a probationary year for a three-year PhD degree.

However, it is possible to continue from the MPhil to the PhD in Psychiatry course via the following options:

1. Complete the MPhil then continue to the three year PhD course:

If the student would like to continue with their research and has secured funding for a further THREE years, after completion of their MPhil they may apply to be admitted to the PhD course as a continuing student. The student would be formally examined for the MPhil and if successful, they would then continue onto the three year PhD course as a probationary PhD student, i.e. the MPhil is not counted as the first year of the PhD degree; or

2. Transfer from the MPhil to the PhD course:

If the student has time and funding for only TWO more years, they can apply for permission to change their registration from the MPhil to probationary PhD; note, transfer must be approved before completion of the MPhil.

If granted permission to change registration, the student will undergo a formal probationary PhD assessment (submission of a written report and an oral examination) towards the end of their first year and if successful, will then be registered for the PhD, i.e. the first year would count as the first year of the PhD degree.

Please note that continuation from the MPhil to the PhD, or changing registration is not automatic; all cases are judged on their own merits based on a number of factors including: evidence of progress and research potential; a sound research proposal; the availability of a suitable supervisor and of resources required for the research; acceptance by the Head of Department and Degree Committee.

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

Funding Opportunities

Pinsent Darwin Fund (managed by the Graduate School of Life Sciences)

Sims Fund (administered by Fees & Graduate Funding, Student Registry)

Other funding opportunities (e.g. through research grants) might become available depending on funds

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

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One year of supervised laboratory-based research examined by thesis and oral. This is not a taught course. Applicants are typically science graduates and clinically qualified doctors undertaking scientific training. Research is in the areas of clinical transplantation, transplant immunology and orthopaedic research and covers basic biology through to clinical therapies. Specific research training relevant to your own project is provided in the laboratory in which you work. Further training is provided within the Addenbrooke's campus and elsewhere in the University and includes graduate workshops on research techniques, research seminars, and graduate student education seminars on generic subjects such as intellectual property rights, statistics, bioinformatics, communication skills, writing a thesis or paper, entrepreneurship, etc.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvsgmpmsc

Course detail

The MPhil course in Medical Science (Surgery) is exclusively research-based. The research area and supervisor will be confirmed during the application process. Students will conduct their research with both University and NHS specialists in their field of study and may be co-supervised by someone on the Addenbrooke's staff.

Format

Students should expect to receive regular supervision from their principal supervisor, and to attend regular lab meetings, both on a weekly basis.

Students are likely to attend research group meetings where research results are presented and discussed.

The students are encouraged to attend research lectures and seminars on a range of biomedical subject areas, both on campus and in the wider University of Cambridge.

Students are expected to spend the majority of their study time pursuing basic and/or clinical research in the laboratories and in the Department. Students undertaking clinical research projects may be involved in the recruitment of patients onto trials and help to monitor their progress. Depending on their training, students may also undertake some basic procedures, such as sample collection.

There may be an opportunity to participate in small group teaching if this is relevant to the student's project. More general small group teaching may be available.

Students are expected to undertake a literature review relevant to their chosen research project.

There are relevant conferences in the UK and overseas throughout the year. If a student has developed his or her research to a sufficient level to coincide with a relevant conference, then there could be the opportunity to present a poster.

The supervisor will provide feedback to the student each term. The feedback will relate to the progress the student has made as well as specific comment on their research project. This will be discussed with the student in advance of the submission of the report to the University.

Assessment

Examination for the MPhil degree involves submission of a written dissertation of not more than 20,000 words . This is followed by an oral examination based on both the dissertation and a broader knowledge of the chosen area of research. The dissertation should provide evidence that the student can design and carry out investigations, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspectives of the subject.

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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The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR) is one of the leading research institutions in the UK and provides a unique interface between clinical and basic biomedical science. Its major goal is to determine and understand the molecular mechanisms underlying human disease. The strength of the institute is that members work on a variety of diseases using a wide range of methodologies which makes it a superb place for graduate training in biological and medical sciences. CIMR has 30 group leaders working in a range of disease mechanisms, including misfolded proteins and disease, intracellular membrane trafficking and cell biology, immunity and haematopoietic biology.

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

Course detail

The Cambridge Institute offers a one-year full-time MPhil programme of research under individual supervision of Principal Investigators based in CIMR. This course can also be taken as part-time option over two years. During their MPhil the students are based in a research group, supported by their primary supervisor and the CIMR Graduate Education Committee.

There is no taught and examined course work, but students are encouraged to attend research seminars at the Addenbrooke's Biomedical Research Campus and elsewhere in the University, as well as graduate student seminars dealing with generic skills such as intellectual property rights, writing a thesis or paper, and entrepreneurship. Students write a dissertation, which is examined via an oral examination.

Format

Students are supervised by the PI and senior post docs. Discussions are provided on a daily basis at the bench and weekly during lab meetings and journal clubs. The supervisor on average will meet with the student every two weeks to discuss progress.

Regular lab meetings within the research group are required.

The supervisor on average will meet with the student on a one-to-one basis every two weeks to discuss progress with the student.

Assessment

The MPhil in Medical Science is examined by dissertation and viva. The dissertation must be no longer than 20,000 words and must satisfy the examiners that the candidate can design and carry out an original investigation, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject.

Continuing

Continuation from MPhil to PhD is possible although it is not automatic. All cases are judged on their own merits based on a number of factors including: evidence of progress and research potential; a sound research proposal; the availability of a suitable supervisor and of resources required for the research; acceptance by the Head of Department and the Degree Committee.

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

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Applications are co-ordinated by CRUK CI. Prior to submitting the on-line application form (GRADSAF), you should identify a supervisor in the Institute who is willing to host you for M.Phil study. The Institute accepts only a few M.Phil students every year, mainly because bench space is very limited and so competition for places is particularly fierce. In the main, applicants are successful if they are recognized as bringing a valuable technique or methodology to their host lab.

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

Course detail

The MPhil course lasts for 12 months, during which time the student is expected to complete a research project, and write and submit a thesis of less than 20,000 words in length. The student will then be examined orally on the thesis and on the wider field of knowledge into which it falls. The students are provided with information which clearly sets out what is expected of them during their period of research in order to obtain their degree.

Each student has a principal supervisor and is also assigned an adviser who provides additional support. In addition, Ann Kaminski (Head of Scientific Administration) acts as the first point of contact for any student with a query or difficulty that is not directly related to their scientific work.

All student matters in the Institute are overseen by the Cancer Biology Graduate Education Committee, which has the well-being of our students at heart. All first year graduate students are required to attend a series of around 30 lectures on cancer biology which take place in the Institute. The lectures are given by specialists in their fields and they aim to provide all students with a comprehensive overview of cancer biology, ranging from basic cell biology through to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Throughout their period at the Institute, all students are expected to participate in journal clubs, lab meetings, lectures and seminars. They are also encouraged to take advantage of the numerous and varied types of transferable skills training offered by both the Institute and the University. Students are encouraged to attend scientific meetings relevant to their course of study. All students in the Institute are members of the student-run Graduate Society which organises regular scientific and social events.

Format

The MPhil in Medical Science course is exclusively by research. The project and supervisor are determined during the application process. In addition to the principal supervisor, it is likely that the student will also be appointed a day-to-day supervisor who is able to provide hands-on assistance. Given the interdisciplinary nature of some of the projects, students will also be expected to seek guidance from other colleagues, including post-docs and core facility staff. Students will participate in the Institute's weekly seminar programme.

Students should expect to receive on-going feedback from all supervisors involved in their research project. In addition, the principal supervisor will write termly reports on Cambridge Graduate Supervision Reporting System.

Assessment

The student is expected to submit a thesis, which should be less than 20,000 words in length and post-submission, the student will be examined orally by two examiners on the content of the thesis and on the wider field of their research area.

The student is expected to give a brief presentation (15 - 20 minutes) to the Institute approximately 10 weeks after commencing study. This allows the student to introduce him/herself to all colleagues and to inform them of the nature of his/her project.

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.2016.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/funding

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This is a one year laboratory-based course, which will give students a solid foundation in cancer research. Students will underake a defined original project, acquiring both scientific and other skills. At the end of their course, MPhil students are required to submit a written thesis of 20,000 words or less. The student will then undergo an oral examination based on both their thesis and a broader knowledge of their chosen area of research.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcumpmsc

Course detail

The course is laboratory based, and undertaken exclusively by research. The project will be determined during the application process through discussion with the supervisor. The student should expect to receive support and advice from senior scientific colleagues and have regular meetings with their supervisor, during the course of their studies.

The amount and frequency of supervision will be determined by both the project and the student. Howevers students are likely to receive around 6 hours of supervision meetings per term.

Students should expect to receive regular feedback on their project to ensure that this is progressing at a pace appropriate for a one year course. Feedback may be gained from discussion of experimental data with scientific colleagues, and from supervisor's comments on their thesis and other presentations.

Assessment

A thesis of around 20,000 words is required to be submitted. This will be followed by an oral examination.

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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The MPhil degree offered by the Department of Oncology is a 12 month full time programme and involves minimal formal teaching; students are integrated into the research culture of the Department and the Institute in which they are based.

Each student conducts their MPhil project under the direction of their Principal Supervisor, with additional teaching and guidance provided by a Second Supervisor and often a Practical Supervisor. The role of each Supervisor is:

- Principal Supervisor: takes responsibility for experimental oversight of the student's research project and provides day-to-day supervision.
- Second Supervisor: acts as a mentor to the student and is someone who can who can offer impartial advice. The Second Supervisor is a Group Leader or equivalent who is independent from the student's research group and is appointed by the Principal Supervisor before the student arrives.
- Practical Supervisor: provides day-to-day experimental supervision when the Principal Supervisor is unavailable, i.e. during very busy periods. The Practical Supervisor is a senior member of the student's research team and is appointed by the Principal Supervisor before the student arrives. For those Principal Supervisors who are unable to monitor their students on a daily basis, we would expect that they meet semi-formally with their student at least once a month.

The subject of the research project is determined during the application process and is influenced by the research interests of the student’s Principal Supervisor, i.e. students should apply to study with a Group Leader whose area of research most appeals to them. The Department of Oncology’s research interests focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatments of cancer. This involves using a wide variety of research methods and techniques, encompassing basic laboratory science, translational research and clinical trials. Our students therefore have the opportunity to choose from an extensive range of cancer related research projects. In addition, being based on the Cambridge Biomedical Research Campus, our students also have access world leading scientists and state-of-the-art equipment.

To broaden their knowledge of their chosen field, students are strongly encouraged to attend relevant seminars, lectures and training courses. The Cambridge Cancer Cluster, of which we are a member department, provides the 'Lectures in Cancer Biology' seminar series, which is specifically designed to equip graduate students with a solid background in all major aspects of cancer biology. Students may also attend undergraduate lectures in their chosen field of research, if their Principal Supervisor considers this to be appropriate. We also require our students to attend their research group’s ‘research in progress/laboratory meetings’, at which they are expected to regularly present their ongoing work.

At the end of the course, examination for the MPhil degree involves submission of a written dissertation (of 20,000 words or less), followed by an oral examination based on both the dissertation and a broader knowledge of the chosen area of research.

Course objectives

The structure of the MPhil course is designed to produce graduates with rigorous research and analytical skills, who are exceptionally well-equipped to go onto doctoral research, or employment in industry and the public service.

The MPhil course provides:

- a period of sustained in-depth study of a specific topic;
- an environment that encourages the student’s originality and creativity in their research;
- skills to enable the student to critically examine the background literature relevant to their specific research area;
- the opportunity to develop skills in making and testing hypotheses, in developing new theories, and in planning and conducting experiments;
- the opportunity to expand the student’s knowledge of their research area, including its theoretical foundations and the specific techniques used to study it;
- the opportunity to gain knowledge of the broader field of cancer research;
- an environment in which to develop skills in written work, oral presentation and publishing the results of their research in high-profile scientific journals, through constructive feedback of written work and oral presentations.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvocmpmsc

Format

The MPhil course is a full time research course. Most research training provided within the structure of the student’s research group and is overseen by their Principal Supervisor. However, informal opportunities to develop research skills also exist through mentoring by fellow students and members of staff. To enhance their research, students are expected to attend seminars and graduate courses relevant to their area of interest. Students are also encouraged to undertake transferable skills training provided by the Graduate School of Life Sciences. At the end of the course, examination for the MPhil degree involves submission of a written dissertation, followed by an oral examination based on both the dissertation and a broader knowledge of the chosen area of research.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of their MPhil course, students should:

- have a thorough knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods and techniques applicable to their own research;
- be able to demonstrate 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;
- the ability to critically evaluate current research and research techniques and methodologies;
- demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems;
- be able to act autonomously in the planning and implementation of research; and
- have developed skills in oral presentation, scientific writing and publishing the results of their research.

Assessment

Examination for the MPhil degree involves submission of a written dissertation of not more than 20,000 words in length, excluding figures, tables, footnotes, appendices and bibliography, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculties of Clinical Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. This is followed by an oral examination based on both the dissertation and a broader knowledge of the chosen area of research.

Continuing

The MPhil Medical Sciences degree is designed to accommodate the needs of those students who have only one year available to them or, who have only managed to obtain funding for one year, i.e. it is not intended to be a probationary year for a three-year PhD degree. However, it is possible to continue from the MPhil to the PhD in Oncology (Basic Science) course via the following 2 options:

(i) Complete the MPhil then continue to the three-year PhD course:

If the student has time and funding for a further THREE years, after completion of their MPhil they may apply to be admitted to the PhD course as a continuing student. The student would be formally examined for the MPhil and if successful, they would then continue onto the three year PhD course as a probationary PhD student, i.e. the MPhil is not counted as the first year of the PhD degree; or

(ii) Transfer from the MPhil to the PhD course:

If the student has time and funding for only TWO more years, they can apply for permission to change their registration from the MPhil to probationary PhD; note, transfer must be approved before completion of the MPhil. If granted permission to change registration, the student will undergo a formal probationary PhD assessment (submission of a written report and an oral examination) towards the end of their first year and if successful, will then be registered for the PhD, i.e. the first year would count as the first year of the PhD degree.

Please note that continuation from the MPhil to the PhD, or changing registration is not automatic; all cases are judged on their own merits based on a number of factors including: evidence of progress and research potential; a sound research proposal; the availability of a suitable supervisor and of resources required for the research; acceptance by the Head of Department and Degree Committee.

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

Funding Opportunities

The Department of Oncology does not have specific funds for MPhil courses. However, applicants are encouraged to apply to University funding competitions: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/funding and the Cambridge Cancer Centre: http://www.cambridgecancercentre.org.uk/education-and-training

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

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