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Biomedical Research: Integrative and Translational MRes

Overview
Course details
Learning and teaching
Employability

This programme will equip you with the necessary ethos, critical evaluative skills and technical competence to pursue a research career in the in vivo sciences. Such an approach is essential to understand the complex interactions among body systems, and how these may be modified with adaptations, by drugs, and during pathologies.

Course fact file

Type of Course: Combined research and taught, taught

Study Options: Full time, 1 year

Duration: 1 year full time

Start date: September 2013

Contact

Ms Niki Windridge
Postgraduate Administrative Assistant
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4061
Email: n.j.windridge@bham.ac.uk

School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Course details

Details

You will graduate equipped with essential skills for training to PhD level with an excellent grounding for future careers in biological research, the pharmaceutical industry or higher education.

A Home Office Personal Licence, for which training is provided, is a prerequisite for this course (see here for further information). The research project will require students to carry out licensed procedures. This module will be taught at the beginning of the MRes.

A practical in vivo research skills module involves progressive training with equipment using in vitro and ex vivo approaches. In vivo research modules provides seminars from research-active scientists about their approaches, and a series of taster projects where you observe current research projects in action. A research methods module gives theoretical and practical instruction in common techniques, experiemenal design and data analysis. The in vivo research project takes 20 weeks and gives you the opportunity to develop your skills in publishable-quality research.

Why study this course

In vivo research provides the key translational step between basic medical science and clinical medicine. The course will give you a thorough training in the practical and theoretical aspects of a wide range of in vivo research techniques. You will gain an in-depth appreciation of the special requirements of in vivo experimentation, its advantages and pitfalls. You will graduate equipped with essential skills for training to PhD level with an excellent grounding for future careers in biological research, the pharmaceutical industry or higher education.

External Examiners Comments

"Feedback to students was truly exceptional and exemplary of best practice"

"This is a highly innovative programme which addresses a real need in the UK Higher Education sector to train scientists in in vivo techniques, which have almost universally been abandoned at undergraduate level. As such there are really very few institutions that run such a course, all of which are very high in the World Rankings"

Modules

The programme consists of both taught modules (60 credits) and a research project (120 credits) comprising a total of 180 credits for the whole programme.

Integrated Body Systems (20 credits)
This module provides an overview of the function and regulation of the major body systems and their integration to achieve homeostasis. Examples (such as exercise, stress, dehydration) will be discussed and will provide a firm foundation for students to consider scenarios in a problem-based manner to develop understanding of integrative physiology.
Practical In Vivo Research Skills (20 credits)
This module provides practical lab-based experience using both humans and animal tissues to develop experimental design, practical application of skills and data analysis. The students will develop a critical sense of observation in order to refine protocols and data presentation to answer a research question.
Research Methods (20 credits)
This module covers the skills to critically appraise published research and undertake original research. Topics include areas such as application of scientific method, literature search techniques, experimental design. Additionally, an overview of analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data is included in this module.

Fees and funding

2013/14 Fees

Home/EU - £3929 + bench fees (approximately £3,500)

Overseas - £15680 + bench fees (approximately £3,500)

Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships

International students may be able to gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government. Visit our website for information about scholarships for international students

For further information contact the School directly or alternatively email sfo@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Entry requirements

You must possess, or be expected to achieve at least a good upper second-class degree in a relevant subject.

Learn more about entry requirements

International students:

Academic requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements

You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

by holding an English language qualification to the right level
by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students

English to IELTS 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in each component) or TOEFL Internet based 95 overall with no less than 22 in any band.

How to apply

Informal queries regarding the course or applications can be made through Ms Niki Windridge at n.j.windridge@bham.ac.uk . Formal applications need to be made on the University application system. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online (please also submit an up-to-date CV, however, the 'Research Details' section does not need to be completed for this MRes).

Please note the closing date for applications is Monday 12th August 2013 for any self-funding students.

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Contact

Ms Niki Windridge
Postgraduate Administrative Assistant
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4061
Email: n.j.windridge@bham.ac.uk

School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Overview

Learning and teaching

As a Birmingham student, you will be joining the academic elite and will have the privilege of learning from world-leading experts, as well as your peers. From the outset you will be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner. We want you to be challenged and will encourage you to think for yourself.

You will have access to a comprehensive support system that will assist and encourage you, including personal tutors and welfare tutors who can help with both academic and welfare issues. Additionally, you will be allocated an experienced postgraduate student to act as a mentor.

The MRes students have a dedicated laboratory for the first semester, where they have access to all the equipment and resources needed to perform their skills training.

Assessment methods

Assessment will vary between modules. These include assessment methods such as case-based scenario, laboratory report, scientific conference (oral & poster presentation), journal format. The research project will be written up in thesis/dissertation format and be examined by viva voce.

Contact

Ms Niki Windridge
Postgraduate Administrative Assistant
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4061
Email: n.j.windridge@bham.ac.uk

School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Related staff

Course details

Employability

Careers

The skills and knowledge gained on this programme will make you attractive both to employers in the pharmaceutical and related industries, and to major academic research centres. Previous students have gone on to study for PhD, graduate entry medicine and teaching.

Careers Support for Postgraduate Students

Careers Network – We can help you get ahead in the job market and develop your career

We recognise that as a postgraduate student you are likely to have specific requirements when it comes to planning for your next career step. Employers expect postgraduates to have a range of skills that exceed their subject knowledge. Careers Network offers a range of events and support services that are designed for all students, including postgraduates looking to find their niche in the job market.

Here are just a few ways in which we can help postgraduates to get ahead:

Careers Networking opportunities
Effective careers strategy toolkit
Year planner for all postgraduate students
Masters Career Coaching Workshops
One to one careers guidance

The Careers Network also have subject specific careers consultants and advisers for each College so you can be assured the information you receive will be relevant to your subject area. They also have a dedicated careers website for international students where you can find useful resources and information.

Quotes

“We have hired some fantastic Birmingham graduates and postgraduates in the past, and believe that they have the experience and intelligence to understand the challenges of working with Procter and Gamble.”

In an independent survey, over 75% of employers regarded a postgraduate Masters-level qualification as ‘essential’ or ‘preferred’ when recruiting. ‘Talent Fishing: What Businesses want from Postgraduates’ A CIHE Report for Department of Business Innovation and Skills, March 2011.

For more information visit the Careers Network website.