Biomedical Science

Core modules - you'll study all of the following:

Ethics and Public Awareness of Science

Those working within public health need to be familiar with secondary data sources that support research, management and practice. This module will consider the main types of secondary data - relating to demography, epidemiology, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Strengths, uses, interpretation and limitations of secondary data sources will be examined, assessing these with regard to completeness, accuracy, relevance and timeliness. Students will explore these issues in connection with a case study for a specific country. Scenario planning, confidentiality and the use of computers are other key topics that are illustrated and explored within the module.The module will begin with an introduction to the areas in which legislation impinges on biomedical research. We will then proceed to analyse the processes by which such legislation is made including, especially, the ethical bases for such legislation. To do this we will introduce the students to the philosophical bases of ethical thought and get them to analyse existing laws to discover the ethics that underlies these laws. The students will then be asked to discuss the ethics of specific topics in the form of a formal debate. In addition, we examine how society perceives science and how the process of science itself works and how this influences scientists' abilities to present their work to the wider community. 

15 credits

Advanced Scientific Skills

This module builds on existing, and further develops, generic scientific skills to equip postgraduate taught students with strong competences in presenting and reporting their research work using written and oral formats, in analysing data and the scientific literature, and in acquiring and extending their critical analysis skills. Teaching will be delivered using a blended approach with a combination of lectures, workshops, tutorials and seminars together with independent study and on-line teaching.

Taught throughout the academic year, the module will be articulated around three units addressing: 

Unit 1) Scientific presentation skills. In this unit, students will explore how to develop their academic (writing and oral) presentation skills. Some of the topics taught may include how to formulate a research question and hypothesis, how to find information, and how to structure a scientific essay or report. Students will learn how to communicate effectively their research to a scientific, as well as lay, audience. Emphasis will be placed on short oral communications and poster preparation and presentation.  The learning objectives will be acquired through lectures, workshops, tutorials and independent study.

Unit 2) Critical analysis skills. This unit prepares students to develop their ability to analyse and appraise the scientific value of the published and unpublished literature. Workshops and lectures will introduce students to the process of critical appraisal of scientific work. 

Unit 3) Statistics and data analysis skills. In this unit, students will learn methods to gather and analyse large datasets. In particular, workshops and lectures will teach students the basics of R coding and statistics for application in biosciences. The unit may also deliver other forms of data analysis relevant to the programme of study. Teaching within this unit will be delivered mainly through on-line material, lectures and workshops. Independent study will be essential to complete the acquisition of skills.

15 credits

Critical Analysis of Current Science

This module is designed to develop the student's ability to read and understand the scientific literature relating to their own research area and also enable them to integrate their own work into the wider scientific field. The module consists of the following components; a seminar and seminar analysis programme designed to develop student skills in listening, understanding and appraising scientific research presented by external invited speakers; contribution, preparation and presentation of journal clubs reporting on the literature published in the field of biomedical science. In the latter component, students will be expected to demonstrate critical analysis skills, which will be encouraged through questions and discussions in classes. Each component is assessed through formal examination and oral presentation.

15 credits

Literature Review and Research Proposal

This unit involves an in-depth survey of the current literature relevant to the student's research project. Students will carry out an exhaustive search of the literature relevant to their project using the resources of the University, including appropriate databases and specialist search engines, as well as paper-based resources in the University Library. Based on primary research articles, review articles and textbooks, students will work independently under the supervision of the project supervisor to produce a document reporting on the background literature underpinning their research project. The literature review should demonstrate an ability to comprehend and synthesise the experimental evidence presented in the literature, to critically appraise previous studies and identify gaps in the knowledge, and to describe the experimental design of the research project.  To prepare their literature review,  students will meet at regular intervals with their supervisors to discuss their progress.

15 credits

Research Project

The module aims to provide students with experience of conducting a research project, and develop analytical and organisational skills required for a career in science. Students undertake a research project which reflects the research activities in the Department/Faculty/University. Projects will be supervised by a member of the academic staff, although students may have additional contact with various staff contributing to their training. Students will gain experience of experimental design, and in execution, collation, interpretation and presentation of scientific data.
Assessment of the project will be based on a written dissertation, an evaluation of the research skills developed during the tenure of the project, including keeping a lab book, and delivery of an individual poster presentation.

60 credits

Optional practical modules - you'll choose two from:

Practical Cell Biology

The practical unit will provide students with experience of practical cell biology. Students will be given the opportunity to establish and optimise ELISA-based assays for fundamental cellular processes, specifically the endocytic pathway. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development, execution and interpretation of experimental protocols as is standard practice in a research laboratory.

15 credits

Practical Developmental Genetics

The practical unit aims to provide students with experience of research techniques in developmental biology. Students will perform experiments designed to reveal molecular and cellular principles underpinning developmental mechanisms. Emphasis will be placed on exploiting classical genetic and molecular resources available in model organisms such as zebrafish, Drosophila melanogaster, and chick for studying gene function in development. Students will gain experience of performing experimental work, data collection and interpretation of results.

15 credits

Physiology and Pharmacology

This practical module is based on using the organ bath to measure the response of several rat organs to a wide range of drugs. The module will provide experience with a technique employed by the pharmaceutical industry. The modules will also provide experience in planning of experiments, data analysis, data interpretation and presentation.

15 credits

Neuroscience Techniques

The module is based around teaching students a range of modern neuroscience techniques by trying to answer the overall question: Can the MED cells provide a replacement for primary Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG)?

15 credits

Optional lecture modules - you'll choose two from:

Stem Cell Biology

This lecture course will provide a thorough grounding in the biology of stem cells and regenerative medicine, with special reference to the molecular and genetic control of cell fate specification and differentiation. Students will also be enouraged to consider the clinical use of stem cells and their derivatives as well as the ethical issues that these raise. As this is a rapidly developing field, strong emphasis will be placed on understanding the current controversies in the literature.

15 credits

Membrane Receptors

The module will examine the main families of integral membrane proteins that act as surface receptors to sense the extracellular environment and signal this information to produce changes in cell function. Specific emphasis is placed on receptors which are therapeutic targets for the treatment of common human diseases, including allergy and chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer and cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. This module explores the latest concepts and ideas in our understanding of the molecular structure and signalling underpinning membrane receptor function, the experimental approaches used to gain this understanding and ultimately how this knowledge may be used to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of disease. The module is taught by research active academics with a wide spectrum of experience in this field. We will base our teaching around current research and hope you find the material interesting and enjoyable. 

15 credits

Molecular Physiology of Ion Channels in Health and Disease

The module will examine ion channels found in electrically excitable cells, focusing on their physiological role in health and disease. Students will learn about ion channel molecular physiology, and the importance of ion channels in channelopathies, diseases associated with ion channel mutations. Examples of diseases covered will include myotonia and long QT syndrome. The emphasis throughout will be to appreciate how experimental research informs our understanding of ion channel physiology, reflecting the University's mission statement to lead teaching by current research. 

15 credits

Epithelial Physiology in Health and Disease

This module examines the physiology and pathophysiology of epithelia, drawing on research to evidence how changes in the transport of ions and solutes leads to disease.  The majority of the module will focus on a detailed investigation of the molecular basis of epithelial ion secretion and absorption, examining diseases such as cystic fibrosis, and the impact of infections such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2.  Particular emphasis will be placed throughout these lectures on respiratory epithelial cells, although other epithelia will also be discussed. In addition, the controversial problem of water transport will be examined. This will include the importance of transepithelial transport routes and specific membrane transport proteins such as aquaporins and proposed water co-transporters and the role these proteins play in the movement of gases across cell membranes. The emphasis throughout will be to appreciate how experimental research informs our understanding of these issues, reflecting the university's mission statement to lead teaching by current research.

15 credits

Neurodevelopment and Behaviour

This course examines the mechanisms that underlie development of the nervous system during embryogenesis. Examples will be described from a variety of model organisms to introduce key steps in the establishment of the CNS and PNS, steps that include neural induction, neural patterning, early segregation of CNS and PNS, the establishment and refinement of connectivity in the nervous system. Recent research from teachers of this course, and from both the classical and current literature is used to analyse and evaluate theories and mechanisms of establishment of the functional nervous system.

15 credits

Modelling Human Disease and Dysfunction

The module will provide students with an understanding of how post-genomic biology impacts on our ability to understand, and treat, chronic diseases of the body. Students will be introduced to major experimental systems and approaches that are pertinent to disease modelling. These include genetically-tractable animal model and in vitro cellular systems (including stem cells). We will explore the principles involved in how these systems are exploited to develop new strategies for intervention, including new therapeutics. Critical evaluation of research papers will allow students to gain experience of analysing experimental work, data presentation and interpretation of results.

15 credits

Cancer Biology

The unit will provide a description of the nature of genomic complexity as revealed using next generation sequencing technology. It will explore cancer genotypes and phenotypes in the context of 8 essential characteristics that are common to all cancers, and which collectively dictate malignant growth. These characteristics are : self-sufficiency in growth signals, insensitivity to growth-inhibitory signals, evasion of programmed cell death, limitless replicative potential, sustained angiogenesis, tissue invasion/metastasis, avoidance of immune destruction, and de-regulated cellular energetics. It will discuss how genome instability arises, and together with tumour-promoting inflammation, how these enable the emergence of all other cancer characteristics. It will utilize this conceptual framework to discuss recent and future developments in cancer therapeutics. A brief review of fundamental principles in genetics and molecular cell biology will be given. Nevertheless, students should have a basic understanding of genetics, molecular biology and cell biology.

15 credits

Sensory Neuroscience

This module covers the adult function and functional development of the auditory system, including sensory transduction and information processing. It will focus primarily on the periphery but will include representation of information in central pathways, with attention to mammalian animal models. The aims will be to show how physiological and developmental mechanisms combine to create the exquisite structural and functional tuning of the auditory system to the external world and how complex sensory information is encoded in the nervous system.

15 credits

Principles of Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering

This unit will provide students with an overview of the multidisciplinary concepts underpinning regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Through detailed examples of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies for replacing specific organs and tissues, students will be introduced to the key steps of the regenerative medicine and tissue engineering process from bench to bedside. The course will present topical research in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering and enable students to critically assess the current limitations and potential applications of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering for medical applications, drug discovery and food manufacturing. The unit will provide an overview of the central topics of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, including cell sourcing, biomaterial properties and design, and cell-material interactions. Particular emphasis will be given to the recent cutting-edge examples of applying regenerative medicine and tissue engineering to restore function of various organ systems.

15 credits