ObjectivesThe programme aims to equip students with broadly based biomedical research skills, but with an emphasis on application to cardiovascular science.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements: A minimum 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in the biomedical sciences (under exceptional circumstances candidates with a 2:2 will be considered). International candidates must have obtained the equivalent of a 2:1 in a related degree from a reputed University. Candidates on the undergraduate medical programme must have satisfactorily completed years 1-4 of the MBChB with no failure at any examination.
Academic titleCardiovascular Sciences MRes
Course descriptionCourse description
The MRes Cardiovascular Sciences course at the University of Manchester promotes cardiovascular research within a unique multi-disciplinary training environment.
Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for considerable mortality, disability and a reduced quality of life in the developed world. Despite the large number of treatment strategies the widespread occurrence of these disorders dictates the search for improved treatments. The development of these relies on a continued evolution of our understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for the development of cardiovascular disorders.
It is now widely recognised by employers and research councils that unravelling the basis of cardiovascular disease and development of new therapies is a high priority area for investment especially since the economic burden of CVD is increasing. It is also recognised, however, that a gap has opened up between the skills possessed by new graduates and the skills normally expected on entry to a research degree or an industrial research career. The MRes in Cardiovascular Sciences has been specifically designed to fill this gap for those who wish to pursue a research career in cardiovascular sciences.
Research topic examples:
-Coronary arterial contractility and endothelial function
-Sick sinus syndrome and gene therapy
-Can we un-stiffen arteries?
-Cellular basis of cardiac arrhythmias
-Elucidation of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and vascular occlusion that occurs following stenting and bypass surgery
-The role of oxidative stress and channelopathies in heart failure
-Mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy
-Cell signalling in vascular smooth muscle
-Cellular dysfunction and EC remodelling in heart disease and ageing
Module details
-The programme is designed to provide the students with:
-A specialist knowledge of the principles of the cardiovascular system in health and disease with an emphasis on emerging technologies (taught lectures)
-Laboratory skills, research methodology and data analysis (two research projects)
-Critical analysis of scientific and medical literature (lit. review)
-Intellectual skills for understanding and interpreting research problems (tutorials)
-Communication of scientific data and concepts (oral presentations and written reports)
-The Programme comprises six compulsory components:
-Graduate Training Programme (GTP)
-Taught seminar unit (15 lectures, 2h each) (15 credits)
-Module 1: Vascular science (Module co-ordinator: Clare Austin)
-Module 2: Cardiac science (Module co-ordinator: Ashraf Kitmitto)
-Module 3 : From bench to bedside - therapeutic strategies for combating cardiovascular disease (Module co-ordinator: Cathy Holt)
-Research Seminar unit
-Tutorial course unit (3 research topics are selected) (15 credits)
-Semester 1: 16 week research placement with project report in journal format (60 credits) with Lab skills (15 credits)
-Semester 2: 16 week research placement with project report in journal format (60 credits) with Literature Review and Powerpoint presentation (15 credits)