Physiology and Molecular Biology MSc - University of Bradford

Overview

Physiology is the study of how living systems work. An understanding of how the body works and responds to everyday challenges is essential before determining what goes wrong in disease and developing new treatments and guidelines for managing health and wellbeing.

The MSc Physiology and Molecular Biology programme at Bradford is focussed on studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the function of organs and systems that underpin the integrated function and behaviour of the whole animal, both in health and in disease.

A particular focus of this programme is the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that are responsible for a variety of prevalent human diseases. The programme uses this background knowledge to develop an understanding of the approaches being taken to develop the rationale for new therapeutic interventions and treatments for the future.

A key feature of the programme is the coverage of the theoretical knowledge relating to a broad range of human diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, obesity, heart failure and arthritis. This is coupled with laboratory training in molecular biology research methods that precedes an independent experimental research project aimed at developing new insights and strategies for treating disease to improve human health. Consequently, graduates in MSc Physiology and Molecular Biology are well equipped with the scientific knowledge and the accompanying practical skills necessary to enter the employment market in a number of specialist fields, both in the public and the private sectors, particularly in industries allied to hospitals, universities, healthcare and diagnostics laboratories, as well as those affiliated to government and other institutions.

Entry requirements

An Honours degree in an appropriate biological sciences discipline with a minimum of a 2:2, or a similar qualification.

English language requirements

IELTS of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all elements.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

What you will study

All module information is for 2023 entry, and is subject to change.

First year

Learning and assessment

Teaching is designed to give you increasing responsibility for your own learning, to help you develop the key attributes needed for life-long learning and continued professional development.

You will be supported by a designated Personal Academic Tutor to ensure that you are able to develop and use your scientific skills and attributes in the world of work, particularly by making the appropriate career choices at the relevant times.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes, workshops and a research project. In addition, independent self-directed or problem-based learning may include interactive research case studies, peer and collaborative sessions, reflective practice and portfolio building. These may be supplemented with interactions with science professionals and tasks that are either work-based or linked to other placements.

Assessments use a combination of unseen written examinations and a wide range of coursework elements such as laboratory reports, essays, online and computer-based assessments, data interpretation and analysis. This is also supplemented with assessment of communication skills in oral and poster communications during peer-reviewed and collaborative sessions.

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2024

Home: £9,462
International: £24,180

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

You may be eligible to apply for a postgraduate loan to put towards your fees and living costs.

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Study support

You will be allocated a personal tutor who is someone with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. There are time-tabled personal tutorial hours per week throughout the academic year, including feedback sessions for all assignments and group/individual projects.

Programme leaders are available for any related matters and advice is given regularly towards curriculum and progression.

University central services are rich with support teams to assist students with every aspect of their journey through our degree programmes. From our Career and Employability Service, through our strong Students' Union, to our professional and efficient Student Finance team, there are always friendly faces ready to support you and provide you with the answers that you need.

Research

A key component of the programme is the 15-week-long laboratory research project that occupies most of the second half of the academic year.

The start of the research project is prefaced with a generic training period that incorporates a range of key transferrable skills such as literature searching, health and safety training and project planning. The research project itself offers an extended period of specialist training in research methods and experimental design. This is coupled with training in the use of appropriate statistical methods to enable a detailed analysis of the research data, and is followed by guidance on the interpretation and contextualisation of the experimental findings.

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.