Human and Molecular Genetics – MSc

Postgraduate Student in the Department of Microbiology

Key facts

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science
1 year full-time

Fees and funding

For information about funding opportunities for postgraduate study, please contact us.

Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

Entry requirements

A 2:1 degree in a biological science subject. For equivalent grades for your country,

English language requirements: overall IELTS 7.0 with 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.

Entry requirements for international students

Any questions?

If you'd like to know more about any aspect of our courses, contact us:

Mrs Edwina Whyers
Admissions Secretary
T: +44 (0)114 222 2740
E: bmsadmissions@sheffield.ac.uk

About the course

This course is for students considering a career in molecular biology or molecular genetics, for example in health care or diagnostic laboratories. It provides excellent training in practical molecular biology techniques for biology graduates with limited laboratory experience.

You'll study human genetics, including how disease genes are mapped and how genetic analysis is undertaken at the DNA and chromosome level; aspects of genetic counselling; how genomes change and how these changes can cause human disease.

You'll learn and practise techniques such as protein and DNA isolation, Western analysis, PCR, plasmid construction, conditional gene expression, in vitro mutagenesis, culturing of human cells and preparation of chromosomes for karyotyping and genotype or SNP mapping.

Once you've mastered these essential skills, you'll undertake a research project, in which you'll learn how to design and conduct research, keep records and present the research in different styles.

Course content

Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Bioscience
Research Project
Genetic Change
Human Genetics I and II
Genome Stability
Literature Review
Advanced Research Topics

Teaching

As well as the usual mix of lectures and seminars, the course includes at least six months of laboratory experience. You'll get training in research techniques and carry out your own research project.

Assessment

Coursework
Dissertation
Written examinations

Where your masters can take you

Many of our masters students go on to training posts in diagnostic laboratories or stay on for a PhD, then pursue a career in research.

About the department

You'll be based in the department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the heart of the campus.

Our masters courses are taught by active researchers, many of them leaders in their fields. The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) puts Sheffield in the UK top ten for biological sciences research.

The department was founded by Sir Hans Krebs who won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the Krebs Cycle.

Apply now

You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It is a quick and easy process.

Postgraduate Online Application Form