This module introduces the rapidly evolving field of medical diagnostics and aims to cover a broad and flexible range of current issues and techniques in this field. Teaching will be delivered by a mixture of lectures and student-led critical discussions in a seminar format. Consideration will be made to current diagnostic and research topics, the potential impacts of applied bioscience within the community (with a specific focus on healthcare). Topics will therefore change regularly in response to current issues e.g. antimicrobial developments, drug delivery technologies, modern diagnostic practices and methodologies, and translational medicine. You'll be expected to develop a thorough knowledge base of topics through peer-reviewed literature, allowing you to contribute to class discussions and develop your ability to appraise material critically. There is flexibility in the choice of topics, to enable you to target subject areas of their choice.
View the full module definitionEnhance your microbiology skills and knowledge by gaining a deeper understanding of microbial pathogenicity, which is essentially how microbes cause disease. Through a series of hands-on lab sessions, lectures and seminars, you'll explore “host-pathogen” interactions during infection, particularly exploring how microbes have evolved to cause damage to the host. A major focus will be on bacterial diseases of humans and animals but you will also consider fungal, parasitic and viral diseases. You'll study the virulence mechanisms of a number of important pathogenic bacteria using exemplars, providing you with an in-depth knowledge of specific pathogens including zoonoses. You'll cover virulence gene regulation, the delivery of virulence factors, and their underpinning genetics. We'll also discuss how some “friendly bacteria”, otherwise known as commensals, are able to cause disease and become opportunistic pathogens under certain conditions. In addition, we'll be studying how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and ask the question: what does this mean for the future fight against bacteria? We'll briefly cover vaccination and how research scientists are developing vaccines. If you're interested in careers such as microbiology in the pharmaceutical industry, as a researcher or a lab technician, this module will help support your future goals.
View the full module definitionThis module is predominately laboratory-based, giving you hands-on experience in a range of molecular and cellular techniques used in applied bioscience. Throughout the semester, lectures will provide the theory and principle behind the practical methodologies covered in the laboratory session. Laboratory work will include a broad range of the techniques, including e.g. DNA analysis, protein analysis, microbiology, cell culture, and other molecular biology techniques. You will also work to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards, creating a clear laboratory note book outlining the work they undertake. There will be some consideration of bioinformatics analysis, including how to analyse and edit sequence data, interpret results using phylogenetics and the use of online genetic databases like the NCBI’s GenBank.
View the full module definitionThis module aims to ensure that you develop key employability skills which are appropriate for those of you wishing to embark on a career in applied bioscience research or industry (or similar). You will build on the essential communication skills required for a successful scientific career using both oral and written forms of communication, such as presentations, posters, scientific articles. You will be expected to attend departmental research seminars, and contribute to group discussions at Masters level. Ethical issues relevant to applied bioscience research or industry, especially in the medical diagnostics field, will be covered in depth through discussions and case studies.
View the full module definitionDuring this module you will define an area of study that could or will form the basis of your masters research project. You will be expected to undertake an appropriate and critical review of the available literature and other information germane to the proposed project. If a laboratory-based project is envisaged you will need to give due consideration to the instrumentation required, provide experimental design criteria, at least for the initial stages of the proposed work, and also take account of all health and safety regulations (including COSHH) and appropriate ethical considerations. If necessary, you will need to prepare a formal application for ethical approval of your work.
View the full module definitionYou now have the opportunity to select and explore in-depth, a topic that is of interest and relevant to your course in order to develop a significant level of expertise. You will demonstrate your ability to generate significant and meaningful questions in relation to your specialism, undertake independent research using appropriate, recognised methods based on current theoretical research knowledge and critically understand method and its relationship to knowledge. You will also develop a critical understanding of current knowledge in relation to the chosen subject and to critically analyse and evaluate information and data, which may be complex or contradictory, and draw meaningful and justifiable conclusions. You will develop the capability to expand or redefine existing knowledge; to develop new approaches to changing situations and/or develop new approaches to changing situations and contribute to the development of best practice. You will Demonstrate an awareness of and to develop solutions to ethical dilemmas likely to arise in their research or professional practice and communicate these processes in a clear and elegant fashion, and evaluate your work from the perspective of an autonomous reflective learner.
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