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Course structure

The Biological Sciences MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. The course is structured to include a significant research component which you will undertake throughout the course. In addition, a series of supporting taught modules further enrich your learning.

To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits, 40 credits from taught and subject-specific modules and 140 credits through the completion of the research project.

Syllabus

The core MRES research project module is at the heart of the degree and equips you with a fundamental understanding of the research process across disciplines. Additional elements of the course provide an integrated, employment-focused, research programme for students wanting to develop their research skills in the biosciences.

Projects have included:

• elucidating the genetic basis of chlorhexidine resistance in Proteus mirabilis
• assessing the tumour microenvironment in ovarian cancer (PSN1) cells
• antimicrobial proteins of the defensive mucus of Helix aspersa
• investigating the detrimental effect of metformin on human pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• investigating inflammatory effects of anti-retroviral drugs on glial cells.

Full-time students study for 180 credits; the research project for 140 credits and 40 from additional modules.

Modules

Core modules

• Evaluating Research in Biosciences

  Evaluating Research in Biosciences will give you a critical understanding of innovative developments in biosciences and enable you to study a topic of current bioscience research in depth. Delivered via a series of presentations by university staff, external speakers and students, the module also includes seminars where you will take a leading role in facilitating and discussing material. You will be expected to evidence your literature research with a portfolio of annotated research articles.

• MRes Research Project

  During this module you will carry out a detailed independent investigative research project within a relevant academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice. You will develop advanced skills in project planning, data generation and analysis, critical analysis of scientific literature, and written and oral presentation to the expected level of a professional scientist.

Options*

• Omics for Diseases: Theory, Practice and Applications

  This module covers the theory, practice and application of omics at the genomic, proteomic and metabolomic level. You will learn about the types of omics currently on the market and the use of omics technologies in basic research, medicine and pharmaceutical sciences for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases. You will gain hands-on experience with genomics and proteomics datasets and at the end of the module present a poster discussing recent advances in omics.

• Biological Membranes: Drug Targets and Disease

  As many healthcare issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer are associated with altered lipid composition, drugs need to cross lipid membranes to reach their target. This module will provide you with an overview of the structure and physiology of biological membranes linked with current research and theory and develop your understanding of the role biological membranes play in health and disease. You will also study the experimental techniques used to analyse biological membranes.

• Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices

  Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices will introduce you to the field of regenerative medicine, medical implants and diagnostics. Areas covered include conventional medical implants and devices and personalised regenerative medicine approaches in cell-based therapy, gene therapy and tissue engineering. You will explore the factors influencing biocompatibility of materials in relation to specific clinical applications and expanded to conventional implants, cell carriers and nanobiomaterials as vectors/carriers for genes and drugs.

• Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

  This introductory course to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is for both newcomers to the field and existing practitioners. The module will give you a theoretical and practical understanding of GIS concepts, technical issues and applications using GIS software. You will develop spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem-solving skills and apply these to the identification and examination of geographical and wider environmental issues.

• Masters Independent Study

  During this module you will carry out an in-depth investigation of an area of interest from a chosen area of study which falls within the expertise of the staff within the School of Applied Sciences, but is outside the range of material covered by the course. The content of the module depends upon the subject you choose, but will be within the remit of Applied Sciences masters degrees. It should also be different to the subject chosen for your dissertation.

• Monitoring Signalling Molecules in Neuroscience

  This module provides you with an overview of signalling mechanisms and how they may be altered through pharmacological intervention, ageing and disease. You will explore the theory, capabilities, limitations and applications of the techniques used in monitoring signalling molecules in vivo and in vitro, including amperometry, fast scan cyclic voltammetry and microdialysis. You will also learn to understand, interpret and critically evaluate the latest scientific literature in this field.

• Ageing: Pathology and Prevention

  This module will explain the current understanding of the causes and features of the degenerative pathology associated with ageing. You will look at the fundamental biology of ageing and the physiological changes that occur with age, for example regarding tissue function and bone density. You will also explore the application, discovery and development of interventions to promote healthy ageing, including lifestyle, nutrition and supplementation.

• Cancer: Bench to Bedside

  This module provides you with an overview of the fundamental biological processes underlying cancer and develops your knowledge of the treatment possibilities provided by our understanding of how cancer works at a biological level. You will cover areas such as risk factors and diagnosis, radiotherapies, immune therapies, psychosocial oncology and in vivo and in vitro cancer models, and get an insight into the journey from diagnosis to treatment to remission.

• Astrobiology

  This module will give you an overview of current research and theory on astrobiology and expand your understanding of origin of life theories. It will demonstrate how extreme environments and organisms that are able to live in extreme environments provide potential models for extraterrestrial life. You will also learn how experimental techniques can distinguish between biological and non-biological origins of materials from both Earth and space.

• Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation

  This module provides an integrated approach to the study of key issues in ecotoxicology and environmental microbiology. You will explore a range of contemporary issues concerning biodegradation, food contamination, water quality, environmental health, bioremediation and current environmental legislation. You’ll look at the key concepts around the safe consumption of food and water and the biological responses to environmental stressors and microbial pollution events.

• Applications in GIS

  Application in GIS will help you develop skills around spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem solving and use them to identify and examine geographical and wider env