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Biomedical and Analytical Science MSc

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

1 year full-time

Places available (subject to change)

20

About the course

The Biomedical and Analytical Science MSc course will enable you to develop a postgraduate depth of knowledge relating to biomedicine and analytical methodologies utilised in biomedical science. Moreover, you will broaden and develop your ability to deal with complex issues, demonstrate originality in tackling and solving problems, function as independent learner and show initiative in complex and unpredictable professional environments, all of which represent key skills in the professional employment sector. Specifically, you will study cutting-edge research that is driving forward our understanding of the human genome and how it is expressed alongside the development of new biomedical technology platforms and how these are opening up novel ways to treat human disease. You will investigate the underlying biology, epidemiology and evolution of pathogens, how these are diagnosed and then monitored and the novel approaches being developed to treat emerging viruses and multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Biological aspects of disease processes will also be considered for major human illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Alongside this, you will be trained in the development and application of advanced analytical techniques in biomedical sciences, including recent advances in analytical technologies, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectroscopy (MS), X-ray crystallography and immunohistochemistry.

Course detail

Research Skills

An introduction to key concepts of scientific research, including project planning, using scientific literature, the application of statistical methods, data processing and the process of creating a journal article from writing to submission. Part of the module will contain subject specific material appropriate to the student’s discipline.

Emerging technologies in Biomedicine

Overview of new biomedicine technologies that are driving research and beginning to have an impact on healthcare. Technologies discussed include next generation sequencing platforms, an overview of their respective chemistries and their limitations/advantages. A detailed overview of the CRISPR/Cas platform and how this is being iteratively improved and adapted for use in biomedicine. The emergence of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and organoid systems and their utility in research and healthcare.

Advanced genomics and gene expression

Our understanding of the human genome and how it is expressed has undergone a seismic shift in the past decade. This module will explore our modern understanding of 3D-genomes and how this relates to the complexities of transcriptional activation, post-transcriptional processing of RNA both in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and the explosion of non-coding RNA as regulators of our genes. Also, translation, a process long-thought to be primarily mechanistic, will be discussed in terms of emerging regulation via tRNA-fragments and specialised ribosomes.

Biological Aspects of Disease

Organised by organ system, this module includes the disorders of nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, urinary system, endocrine system, immune system, cancer and concludes in precision medicine. This module provides students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the aetiology and pathophysiology of human diseases by investigating the physiological or pathological concepts of biological systems in states of dysfunction. It encourages students to appreciate the inter-relations of the pathological sciences and how, for example, a genetic predisposition can increase an individual's risk of susceptibility to a specific cancer and thereby the associated targeted cancer therapy for the mutated gene(s).

Infectious Disease and Human Health

This module will cover several aspects of infectious disease, including the underlying biology, epidemiology and evolution of pathogens in relation to host immune response in humans. The diagnosis of disease, disease monitoring and novel approaches to treatment will also be covered in addition to emerging technologies to combat multidrug resistance in bacteria and expediated antiviral and vaccine development for emerging viruses.

NMR Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry for Analytical Scientists

This module provides both a broad and in depth coverage of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. There is a large emphasis on developing your knowledge of the two techniques and you will be exposed to the most recent advances in instrumentation and their applications. You will explore advances in NMR design through a written assignment and you will also be able to demonstrate your ability to interpret spectral data in an exam.

Biochemical Methods

This module provides an in-depth description of many current biochemical methods as applied to analysis. This will include you learning about DNA analysis, in particular PCR and sequencing, immunological analysis techniques and the fundamentals behind them, protein separation techniques and X-ray crystallography. There will be a combination of lectures and computer simulations.

Research Project

​The overall aim of the project is to train you in methods of experimental design and either to develop new analytical methods (for example, to select by critical comparison and apply the most suitable method to a particular problem) or to solve a novel research problem in your subject area.

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.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

  • Honours degree (2:2 or above) in an appropriate Biological Sciences discipline, or a similar qualification.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.