Haematologists specialise in disorders of the blood and blood-forming tissues, and their contribution to patient care is fundamental and wide-ranging. Whether you're analysing data from patients' samples, matching donated blood with someone who needs a transfusion or researching cures for blood cancers, your work will improve and save countless lives.
This Masters programme has a strong practical element, with an emphasis on developing laboratory skills and gaining hands-on experience of diagnostic techniques. It also incorporates elements of microbiology and clinical biochemistry and you'll be able to study and learn within the University's specialist laboratories which include a modern, well-equipped cell culture facility, fully-equipped proteomics facilities and a microbiology lab. You will have access to a molecular biology laboratory for techniques such as DNA sequencing, real-time PCR, electrophoresis and HPLC. You'll also learn to use cutting-edge techniques such as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers and flow cyto meters.
The Biomedical Science courses at Middlesex have a burgeoning international reputation and the University's strong links with London hospitals and NHS Laboratories ensures that you will be studying the latest developments, practices and research. Our Centre for Investigative and Diagnostic Oncology has pioneered techniques for cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the Haematology department is very active in research into blood cancers, HIV and AIDS.
*This course is currently being reviewed. Please check back regularly for changes
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This course will cover the components of human blood and the disorders that affect them, techniques for diagnosing and monitoring disease, and the analysis of blood test results. You’ll look at blood cell formation, blood count, haemoglobinopathies and types of anaemia such as clotting abnormalities, cancers of the blood and bone marrow, myelodysplasia and MPD. You’ll also study blood transfusions and blood donation including blood types, blood typing and tissue typing techniques as well as haemolytic disease of new-borns, reactions to transfusions, and safety measures and care of blood products. In addition, you will explore the ethical and legal issues which can surround specific types of research such as assisted reproduction and genetics, and human or animal research.
As well as in-depth knowledge of your subject, you will also gain a sound understanding of how to design and carry out experiments, statistical analyses as well as techniques for analysing samples and molecules. You will also be proficient and capable in all aspects of managing a laboratory, including people management, business plans and budgets, safety regulations, and quality management.
The module aims to examine advanced bioanalytical techniques that are used in biomedical research, for the analysis of products, for improving diseases understanding and for the analysis of disease biomarkers. It also provides a detailed understanding of the principles, theory and practice of bioanalytical techniques, including safety, instrumentation, sample preparation techniques together with analysis and interpretation of analytical data.
The module aims to provide insight into a range of ethical and legal issues that relate to professional practice, to research with human and animal subjects and to human reproduction, particularly various forms of reproductive technology. It will also aim to give students a broad overview of the relevant current UK ethical and legal regulations for research using human tissues. The module will further explore the ethical issues present in the rapidly developing area of genetic technology, including genetic testing and selection, genetic engineering, and the concept of genetic disease. After an introduction to basic ethical theory and legal principles, the focus of the module will be on exploring ways in which, by applying theoretical considerations to practice, ethical and legal issues can be critically analysed and addressed.
This module aims to introduce principles and diagnostic techniques of general haematology. It looks at the individual components of normal human blood in detail, and explains the molecular mechanisms of haematological diseases affecting each component. The module also analyses the role of the haematology laboratory in diagnosis and treatment of patients with haematological abnormalities.
The module aims to provide students with the tools required to design effective and efficient experiments and to test scientific hypotheses. The module will also equip students with the tools necessary for statistical analysis in a hypothesis testing context.
This module aims to introduce specialist diagnostic techniques used in haemato-oncology. It provides deep appreciation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of leukaemias, lymphomas and myelomas. It also analyses the role of the haematology laboratory in diagnosis and treatment of patients with these conditions.
The module aims to provide students with current theories and approaches to leadership and management in order they can bring about effect positive change in the team or organisation that they lead or manage.
Module aims to develop students' skills in planning and execution of an analytical, laboratory-based study and critical evaluation of real research results drawing on their acquired knowledge from other modules. In addition, the module aims to develop students' communication skills to enable them to communicate their findings in written and oral form.
This module aims to examine the science upon which blood transfusion is based (including measures to maintain and improve safe blood transfusion), and analyse the role of the haematology laboratory in diagnosis and treatment of patients with haematological abnormalities.
The module aims to provide you with deep understanding of diagnosis, management and treatment of patients with common clotting disorders through a case–study approach.
See the course specification for more information:
Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.
We aim to model a wide range of teaching strategies and approaches on the course which you can adapt to your own setting.
This programme will be delivered in a blended learning format using live interactive teaching sessions via a number of learning platforms such as Kaltura newrow Adobe Connect or Zoom. These sessions will be recorded so that you can return to this learning in your own time and study at your own place. Learning may be supplemented by pre-recorded lectures, demonstration of laboratory techniques or data analysis activity where you can access the information at any point. Practical sessions will either be virtual or via tool kits delivered to your home. This wide range of teaching and learning approaches are used to build up your skills and knowledge.
You will take part in online problem solving discussions and exercises, online workshops, and in-class activities. You will supplement all this with your own guided and independent reading. The mix of delivery modes will be varied and suitable to the content being delivered.
The programme has a strong practical element, with an emphasis on developing the skills needed in a laboratory setting and in gaining hands-on experience of diagnostic techniques. Facilities include a fully equipped microbiology laboratory and access to cutting-edge equipment such as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers and flow cytometers. Access to on campus activity is subject to ongoing and further COVID-19 restrictions.
We are committed to equipping and accommodating learners fully online where they cannot reach campus, and where a second lockdown is in place. In such event, the fully online scenario will be in place to provide and support your learning.
As well as practical and theoretical exams and your research project and dissertation, you’ll be assessed through presentations and written assignments, including essays, laboratory reports and logbooks, critical reviews, data analysis and problem-solving exercises, quizzes, and papers made up of a literature review, hypothesis and research question. You will receive regular feedback on your work, including your assessed work, from your tutors and sometimes from fellow students. You will also be asked to evaluate your own work.
For your dissertation, you'll design, conduct and evaluate the results of your own independent and original research project. This will normally take place within our laboratories or your own clinical setting. Access to laboratories or clinical settings for research is subject to COVID-19 restrictions and as such the university has put in place a number of alternative options to develop your research capability.
We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.
We are currently reviewing our approach to teaching and learning for 2023 entry and beyond. We've learned a lot about how to give you a quality education - we aim to combine the best of our pre-pandemic teaching and learning with access to online learning and digital resources which put you more in charge of when and how you study. We will keep you updated on this throughout the application process.
Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We’ll use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.
The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.
This information is likely to change slightly for 2023 entry as our plans evolve. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.
Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown in 2021/22 | ||
Live in-person on campus learning | Contact hours per week, per level: | 10 hours |
Live online learning | Average hours per week, per level: | 7 hours |
Tutor set learning activities | Average hours per week, per level: | 3 hours |
This information is likely to change slightly for 2024/25 entry as our plans evolve. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.
Definitions of terms
Support
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
Biomedical science is the second largest profession registered by the Health Professions Council, and there is a high demand for well-qualified graduates. This course will equip you with the skills and expertise you need to work in a wide range of roles such as management, consultancy, lab supervision, or in international roles within hospitals, schools and universities. There are also opportunities in diagnostic laboratories within both the public and private sectors.
If you're currently working in haematology, this Masters programme will help you progress to a more senior position. You might also wish to explore your options in research or academia, or even complete further study at doctoral level.
There are many opportunities available in a variety of sectors including the pharmaceutical industry, academia, education, biotechnology, and even areas like patent law, forensic science and science journalism. Biomedical scientists also work in primary care, in doctor’s surgeries and clinics, or there are opportunities with the National Blood Service, Public Health England, the Medical Research Council, and the Health and Safety Executive.
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.
Start: September 2024
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGB900 (MSc)
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Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGB90A (MSc)
Start: September 2024
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGC550
