Biomedical and Analytical Science MSc

Research Skills

Emerging technologies in Biomedicine

Advanced genomics and gene expression

Biological Aspects of Disease

Infectious Disease and Human Health

NMR Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry for Analytical Scientists

Biochemical Methods

Research Project

On this course you will be exposed to advanced technologies that are driving forward our understanding of the human genome and learn how the development of new biomedical technology platforms are reshaping how we treat human diseases. Moreover, you will learn how technology-driven advances in biological research has altered our understanding of genomics and how our genes regulate cell biology and contribute to disease. Human disease will be further considered via investigation of infectious pathogens, including their underlying biology, epidemiology and evolution in relation to host immune response in humans, multidrug resistance in bacteria and expedited antiviral and vaccine development for emerging viruses. Moreover, the biological aspects of disease processes will be considered for major human illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Alongside this, the development and application of advanced analytical techniques in biomedical sciences will be covered, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectroscopy (MS), X-ray crystallography and immunohistochemistry. Finally, via an integrated professional development plan and research project dissertation, you will also gain expertise in several 'capstone' skills, such as interpretation of experimentally-derived scientific data and presentation of complex concepts to varied stakeholders via diverse media.

Teaching will occur predominantly via lectures, academic-led group workshops, tutorials and directed student-centred learning. The development of students as independent learners is a particularly important aspect of the knowledge and understanding learning strategy at postgraduate level and this will be supported by the provision of resource material in the form of required and recommended additional reading during lectures. This will support the development of open learning strategies, where students are able to source the most relevant content themselves and apply their knowledge and understanding of this material to the learning outcomes. During group workshops and personal tutorials, students will be encouraged to reflect upon their learning, performance, and achievement on the course and to plan for their personal, educational and career development, being signposted to university-level support structures, where appropriate. Typically, modules are assessed by a combination of a piece of course work and an end of module test. A diverse assessment diet is employed that includes innovative assessments that that in addition to classic written content provides students with the opportunity to meet learning outcomes via the provision of online material, including podcasts, video presentations and collaborative work. The Research Project module enables comprehensive assessment of all learning outcomes via several means, including oral presentations, viva voce, written report, maintenance of research notes and personal conduct.

This course has modules making up 180 credits over the 1 Years, with each credit being 10 hours of study (1800 hours in total). An average [Approximately*] 38%(677 hours) of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors [face to face or online] in [lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals and workshops]. The remainder of the time will be spent on independent study. Assessments takes place through a variety of [exams, coursework, etc].

Subject to mode of study. *Based on current core and compulsory modules. Calculated using data from the academic year 2024/25, as of November 2024.

Teaching

The teaching year for most courses normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Teaching on other courses including professional courses, postgraduate taught, research, distance learning and apprenticeship may have other start dates including January and May. All start dates can be found on each course page and term dates are also available. Students on a full-time course may have to attend every day of the week. Students who choose to study a full-time course on a part-time basis will generally attend modules at the same time as our full-time students. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

Our courses are taught at our University campus and you can expect that your lectures and seminars will be held face to face, except in cases of emergency or if specifically stated otherwise in the module description.

Feedback

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Progression

You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory, or regulatory body guidelines.

1. Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

2. We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).

3. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Read more about academic staff at the University of Huddersfield