Course structure
The MSc Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) provides multidisciplinary postgraduate training which aims to develop your subject-specific knowledge and understanding, as well as your critical, analytical and scientific skills.
The course can be studied as either a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course, with a September start date. To achieve the MSc, you must complete 180 credits, studying seven compulsory core modules, including the Biomedical Science Research Project (60 credits).
However, if you hold the IBMS Specialist Diploma and successfully enrol on the course with accredited prior certified learning, you can claim exemption from two of the seven modules – the Research Methodologies and Advanced Laboratory Techniques modules.
The full-time programme is structured so that all taught sessions are delivered in just two days of the working week, though you are expected to undertake independent study over the remaining three days. Consolidating the teaching in this way allows greater flexibility, particularly if you wish to study part-time. You’ll only be required on campus one day a week over two years, making it much easier to study around childcare or other commitments. For employers, it makes workforce planning much simpler too.
Semester 1 focuses on two main areas, the first being biomedical ethics, grant application, methodological approaches, analytical reasoning and research. The second area focuses on the role of medical microbiology in the assessment, investigation and evaluation of the relationship between microorganisms and the host and clinical manifestations by body system.
In Semester 2, you will consider business planning, leadership and laboratory skills. You will also examine the role of epidemiology in the investigation of disease and health outcomes, the laboratory's role in the establishment of relationships between organisms and outbreaks, antimicrobial therapy and alternatives and the local and global response to communicable disease.
Semester 3 demonstrates your understanding of the philosophy and principles of research, and your competence in the design, execution, analysis and reporting of a professional research project. This could include lab-based research here within the School, clinical audits in partnership with local NHS providers, data analysis or a systematic review.
Any biomedical science practitioners studying the course will be expected to choose a project based on their personal area of speciality, completing laboratory and data collection in conjunction with their employers.
There are two interim awards available, depending on how many modules have been successfully completed: a Postgraduate Certificate for any two modules (60 credits); and a Postgraduate Diploma for all four taught modules (120 credits).
LSC-40029 Biomedical Ethics and Grant proposal* (15 credits, Semester 1)
The aim of this module is to highlight the requirement for a systemic approach to tackling ethical issues within Biomedical Science and to begin to learn how to manage scientific projects effectively, beginning with the application and completion of a grant proposal. You will also learn how to independently conduct literature reviews in defined areas, and are guided to think about new, innovative areas of research within your chosen field.
LSC-40038 Research Methodologies** (15 credits, Semester 1)
Firstly, you’ll be introduced to some of the modern techniques being used to advance knowledge in the field of Biomedical Science, such as molecular genetics, cell imaging and proteomics/glycomics. Then, in journal club sessions, you will explore some of the research questions currently being addressed using these techniques, presenting an oral critique of a research paper relevant to your areas of specialism. This not only helps you appreciate the importance of good experimental design and interpretation of data, but also develops key skills such as written and oral presentation skills, personal reflection, searching scientific literature, understanding the different types of scientific literature and being able to critically evaluate other people's research.
LSC-40049 Medical Microbiology (30 credits, Semester 1)
Taught by both experienced healthcare practitioners and prominent biomedical science researchers, you will explore the role of medical microbiology in the delivery of modern-day healthcare, giving you a critical insight into the patient pathway. This module aims to develop and enhance your understanding of the clinical and technical role of medical microbiology laboratories in the diagnosis and monitoring of infectious disease. You will develop key analytical skills used to assess, investigate and evaluate pathobiology and patient pathways, and to develop evidence-based arguments to support clinical decision-making. Lectures will be supported by a number of patient cases delivered in small group tutorials using a case-based learning approach. Typical subject areas include bacteriology, virology, parasitology and mycology.
LSC-40055 Infectious Diseases (30 credits, Semester 2)
Infectious diseases represent a significant threat to the human population and require a multidisciplinary, global approach. Taught by tutors working within or related to the field of the treatment and control of infectious diseases, you’ll focus on the role of epidemiology in the investigation of disease, prediction of communicable disease outbreaks and health outcomes. This includes the role of the laboratory in the establishment of relationships between organisms and outbreaks, antimicrobial therapy and alternatives, and the local and global response to communicable disease.
LSC-40030 Project Management and Business Planning* (15 credits, Semester 2)
Those working in the field of biomedical science begin to climb the professional ladder, they are increasingly under pressure to develop, organise and run new and innovative projects, handle budgets and manage people. This module is designed to guide you through these processes and equip you with the basic knowledge needed to instigate and coordinate new projects within professional practice with major emphasis on project management and business planning.
LSC-40033 Advanced Laboratory Techniques** (15 credits, Semester 2)
Delivered through laboratory practicals supported by tutorials, this module aims to provide you with a firm understanding of the principles, the advanced laboratory practical competencies and high level analytical skills of some of the important modern techniques in the field of Biomedical Science. You’ll gain the skills to analyse, present, interpret and critically evaluate biomedical and experimental data.
LSC-40059 Biomedical Science Research Project* (60 credits, Semester 3)
Representing the culmination of your learning as a Master’s student, you will design and conduct an extensive research project under the supervision of an appropriate expert. The module ends with a mini student-conference, providing you with an opportunity to meet all of your colleagues, present your main findings in a professional setting and learn what each of you has been doing. The breadth of expertise within the School gives significant scope when choosing a topic for research. By way of example, a number of current projects available to our students are supporting the fight against COVID. They include participation in an international collaborative project to search for biomolecules to protect against COVID, the evaluation of lateral flow devices, and lab testing which seeks to repurpose the existing heparin drug as a form of treatment.
*Module shared with students following the MSc Biomedical Science (Blood Science)
**Students who have attained the IBMS Specialist Diploma and are successfully enrolling with accredited prior certified learning are exempt from these two modules.
Requirements for an Award
In order to obtain the Master’s degree, students are required to satisfactorily accrue 180 M Level credits. Students who exit having accrued 60 or 120 M Level credits excluding the ‘Dissertation – Biomedical Blood Science Research Project’ are eligible to be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) and Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) respectively.