Biomedical Science (Blood Science) MSc

Keele University

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.

If you work within the field of Biomedical Science, you will find that you 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.

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.

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.

The aim of this module is to give you a deep understanding of the role that Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Immunology departments play in the provision of healthcare across the UK. You will explore how disease and disorders relevant to Blood Sciences affect the human body with emphasis on incidence/prevalence, aetiology and pathology (cellular, molecular or whole system). You will develop key analytical skills used to assess, investigate and evaluate pathobiology and patient pathways, focusing on the different biomarkers available and their roles in screening, diagnosis, monitoring or prognosis.

You will gain a deeper understanding of how pathobiology can adversely affect metabolism and physiology. As part of this module, you will meet practicing health professionals from local NHS Trusts. They will talk to you about their role in the delivery of modern-day health care and explain how health practitioners working in Haematology and Blood Transfusion use pathobiology knowledge to assess, investigate and evaluate patient needs.

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, current projects available to our students include lab-based investigation of anti-coagulation and a clinical audit of an enhanced liver fibrosis test for University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust.