MSc Molecular Medicine

Institution University of Essex, Colchester Campus
Method At the institution
Location Colchester
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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MSc Molecular Medicine

Objectives The MSc Molecular Medicine programme aims to: offer life science graduate students the opportunity to study molecular medicine within an environment informed by current research in the molecular life sciences develop students' knowledge of the principles and applications of molecular technologies as applied to human diseases, and provide in-depth coverage of selected, specialised areas such as virology, immunology and/or cancer biology. enable students to critically analyse and interpret biological data including cellular, molecular, sequence and biochemical data using appropriate bioinformatic and statistical tools and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the associated experimental techniques. introduce the principles of translational research and commercial development in molecular medicine. develop the molecular, cellular and bioinformatics skills necessary for a biomedical or research career in academia, medical institutions or industry. enable students to plan and conduct a research programme in molecular medicine. develop a range of transferable skills including information retrieval, evaluatoin and synthesis, numeracy, ITC skills, presentation skills, effective working with others, complex problem solving, self-evaluation and reflection, and independent learning ability.
Entry requirements Entry Qualifications Minimum 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject although other alternative degrees and other professional qualifications considered. Where appropriate an English language requirement of TOEFL (580) IELTS (6.5).
Academic title MSc Molecular Medicine
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in Molecular Medicine provides broad, theoretical and practical training, using up-to-date techniques in molecular biology as applied to human disease. It explores how the practice of medicine has been revolutionised by the recent advanced in molecular and cellular biology, in areas such as cancer, virology and diseases of the immune system.

Modules and Options

The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.

Stage 1

    CANCER BIOLOGY
    Core: GENE AND PROTEIN TECHNOLOGY
    Core: MOLECULAR MEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
    Core: POST-GENOMIC TECHNOLOGIES AND BIOINFORMATICS
    Core: RESEARCH PROJECT: MSC MOLECULAR MEDICINE
    Core: SEMINARS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE
    HUMAN GENETICS
    MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
    MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF DISEASE AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
    MOLECULAR VIROLOGY
    SPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATIONS OF DISEASE

Teaching and Assessment Methods

A: Knowledge and Understanding
    Learning Outcomes
    A1 : The role of molecular medicine in the investigation of human disease including diagnosis and therapy.
    A2 : The molecular cell biology of normal and diseased cells, including the molecular biology of infectious agents, genetic and cellular therapies and human molecular genetics.
    A3 : Fundamental and advanced molecular technologies including genomics, and post-genomic methodologies and their application in the molecular analysis of disease processes.
    A4 : Key regulatory and ethical issues that are of central importance in molecular medicine
    A5 : The processes required to translate research findings into clinical applications and commercial development of diagnostics and therapeutics.
    A6 : A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a specific research area related to molecular medicine.

    Teaching Methods
    A1- A3 are developed through lectures, practicals, seminars and coursework.

    A4 and A5 are developed through seminars and lectures.

    A6 is developed through lectures and the research project.

    Assessment Methods
    A1-A3 are assessed through examination, practicals and coursework.

    A4 and A5 are assessed through coursework.

    A6 is assessed through the research project dissertation, and oral and poster presentations.

B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    B1 : Retrieve, select and integrate a variety of advanced cellular, genetic and molecular information related to disease processes.
    B2 : Understand and evaluate current reseach through reading published papers in recommended journals.
    B3 : Critically evaluate the relative strengths (and weaknesses) of a range of cellular, molecular and bioinformatics methods.
    B4 : Have an in depth knowledge of the principles and applications of molecular technologies applied to diagnosis and treatment of human disease
    B5 : Analyse and interpret quantitative information such as molecular data, graphs, figures, tables and apply appropriate statistical tests
    B6 : Integrate and link information across course components from different disciplines
    B7 : Review a research topic and plan and conduct a research project

    Teaching Methods
    B1-B3 are taught and developed through lectures, seminars, practicals and the research project.

    B4-B6 are taught through lectures and practicals, and developed through coursework and the research project.

    B7 is developed during the research project.

    Assessment Methods
    B1 is assessed through coursework and the reseach project.

    B2-B4 are assessed through coursework, practicals, examinations and the research project.
    B5 is assessed in coursework, practicals, examinations and the research project. B6 is assessed through coursework and the reseach project.

    B7 is assessed through the research project.

C: Practical Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    C1 : Design, plan and carry out appropriate experiments in the laboratory effectively, working within curent technical, regulatory, safety and ethical frameworks.
    C2 : Apply appropriate up-to-date biological methodologies (including cellular and molecular techniques) to address questions in molecular medicine.
    C3 : Describe and explain the principles and limitations of a range of current molecular and analytical methodologies
    C4 : work as a member of a team, contributing to the planning and performance of molecular research into human disease

    Teaching Methods
    C1 is taught through practicals and developed through the research project.

    C2 and C3 are taught and developed through lectures, practicals and the research project.

    C4 is developed during practicals and via the research project.

    Assessment Methods
    C1 and C2 are assessed through practicals and the research project.

    C3 is assessed through practical-associated coursework and by examination.

    C4 is assessed through practical-associated coursework.

D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : (i) Write clear concise and logically argued essays. (ii) Write clear, concise, structured reports, which may include images and graphical material, describing complex and original material. (iii) Plan, write and give clear effective, well timed oral presentations. (iv) Prepare poster presentations for specialist and non-specialist audiences. (v) Design a simple web page.
D2 : (i) Use current networked PC operating systems for normal file management. (ii) Use common word-processing, spreadsheet, presntation, web-browsing and e-mail packages. (iii) Able to locate and use on-line catalogues and databases.
D3 : (i) Apply appropriate advanced quantitative and statistical methods to analyse data. (ii) Describe other advanced quantitative methods used in molecular analyses and bioinformatics.
D4 : Explore, analyse and find effective solutions for practical and theoretical problems involving reasonably complex information.
D5 : Work effectively as part of a team to collect data and/or to produce reports and presentations effectively.
D6 : Study independently, set realistic targets, plan work and time to meet targets within deadlines and evaluate and reflect on own performance.

Teaching Methods
D1 is developed through practicals, coursework, the research project and the biotechnology conference organised by the students.

D2 (i) and (ii) is taught and developed through practicals, coursework and the research project.
(iii) is taught explicitly through lectures, practicals and coursework.

D3 is taught through lectures and reinforced through coursework, data analysis exercises and practicals.

D4 is developed through practicals, coursework and the research project.

D5 is developed through practicals and through the organisation of the end of year mini-conference as part of the project module.

D6 is developed through directed learning tasks, rigid deadlines and feedback on assignments.

Assessment Methods
D1 is assessed through coursework and the research project.

D2 is assessed through practicals, coursework, the research project.

D3 is assessed through practicals, problem sheets, coursework and examination.

D4 is assessed in practicals and the project writeup and by examination.

D5 is assessed via organization of the mini-conference.

D6 is assessed indirectly, by imposing strict deadlines for assignments and by awarding marks for evidence of extra reading/going beyond lecture material in coursework, examinations and the research project.