MSc Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Modules

4 core taught modules, 3 optional modules and 2 research projects (taken as one 60-CATS module), totalling 180 CATS.
Teaching is through lectures, seminars, practical workshops, peer-to-peer learning, tutorials and laboratory-based research projects.
Assessments include written assignments, lab reports, a grant proposal, poster and oral presentations, written and oral examinations, and podcasts.

Core Taught Modules

Frontier Techniques in Biomedical Research (MS954, 15 CATS)

A series of masterclasses on frontier technologies such as CRISPR, genomics and proteomics, and on research areas including infection, cellular dynamics, neurobiology and biosensors. Each session is led by a researcher with direct experience of the topic and combines lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory demonstrations and literature review. It is also a chance to meet potential project supervisors. Assessment is a poster presentation (40%) and an exam in which you design an experimental plan to answer a research question (60%).

Essential & Transferable Research Skills (MD9A8, 30 CATS)

Develops the research and professional skills needed to generate research ideas, questions and hypotheses, choose suitable methods to address them, and work with integrity. Runs throughout the year and includes writing a research proposal similar to a grant application and defending it before a mock funding panel. Assessment is an oral presentation (15%), the research proposal (35%), its oral defence (15%) and a reflective portfolio (35%).

Physical Biology of the Cell (MS951, 15 CATS)

Explores the basic physical concepts underlying the behaviour of biomolecules, dynamic cell processes, cellular structure and signalling events, and equips students for a research career at the interface of biology and physics. Assessment is two pieces of coursework (50% each).

Translational Biomedical Research & Diagnostics (MS947, 15 CATS)

Introduces the technologies and approaches used in translational medical science, with a particular focus on precision medicine and diagnostics. It also covers the preclinical and clinical principles behind preventing, diagnosing and stratifying disease. Students learn about the ethics and regulations governing the use of animal models and clinical research, and how the translational pathway runs from basic science through preclinical and clinical studies. Teaching is through seminars, workshops and self-directed reading. Assessment is an 800-word case study and a group presentation.

Research Projects

From March to September you will carry out two research projects in two different disciplines (MS942, 60 CATS). Find out more about the research projects.

MSc in IBR students

Optional Modules

Choose three of the following modules. All run in Term 1 except Mathematical Modelling for Biomedical Systems, which runs in Term 2.

Molecular Biology: Principles and Techniques (MS955, 15 CATS)

Designed for students with a background in mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, physics or chemistry. It gives a comprehensive understanding of the principles of modern molecular biology, and the theoretical and practical skills needed to analyse and manipulate biomolecules such as DNA and proteins. It combines seminars, problem-solving and laboratory sessions. Assessment is a laboratory report (50%) and an oral examination (50%).

Programming for Biomedical Data Analysis (MS953, 15 CATS)

Provides the foundations of programming in R for analysing biomedical data. Students learn the basic principles of programming through hands-on workshops and a series of mock exams of increasing complexity, from one-line statements to multi-loop programs. The module is taught online. Assessment is a written examination.

Statistics for Data Analysis (CH923, 15 CATS)

Gives a basic understanding of the statistical methods used for data analysis in analytical science. Topics include basic probability; error analysis and calibration; summarising data and testing simple hypotheses; statistical computing; experimental design and analysis of variance; sampling methods and quality control; and simple analysis of multivariate data. Assessment is a class test (40%), an assessed assignment (40%) and a reflective piece applying the methods to your own research interests (20%).

Microscopy & Imaging (CH922, 15 CATS)

Provides a foundation in the principles and applications of microscopy, from the basics of light microscopy to state-of-the-art super-resolution, electron and scanned probe microscopy. Includes workshops on image analysis and seminars on recent developments in the field. Assessment is a group presentation on automating an image analysis task (30%), a News & Views-style article (20%) and an oral examination (50%).

Mathematical Modelling for Biomedical Systems (MA937, 15 CATS)

Introduces computational modelling techniques for biomedical research, using MATLAB. Topics include ordinary differential equations, matrix algebra, model fitting, stochastic systems and an introduction to partial differential equations, illustrated with biological and biochemical examples. Assessment is two pieces of problem-solving coursework (50% each).