We have now seen the devastating effect that a global pandemic can have on our modern world. There is now a greater need for scientists who are able to understand both the transmission, aetiology and control of viruses, such as COVID-19, as well as be able to understand how the immune system responds to viruses.
This master's course combines the two disciplines of infection and immunity and equips you with the skills necessary to work in the NHS or in the pharmaceutical industries, for example in the development of vaccines. You'll be better enabled to compete for positions in academic research in the areas of infection and immunity, an area of research that is currently being expanded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This degree is unique in that it couples Biomedical Science with Infection and Immunity, a combination which is not currently offered anywhere else in London, and will be of particular interest to applicants from a Biomedical Science background, who wish to work in the NHS, pharmaceutical industries or enter academic research. This is a great opportunity to better understand the complex and dynamic interplay between infection and immunity.
Due to the use of external lecturers recruited to the teach on the programme from the NHS, industry and academia, you will have a chance to make useful links with these potential employers.
*Subject to review
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You will come to understand the various mechanisms by which the immune system is able to respond to the great variety of different infectious agent that we are exposed to on a daily basis. You will also develop an advanced knowledge of bioanalytical techniques and gain the skills required to undertake your research project.
You will study the transmission, epidemiology and pathogenesis of human infectious diseases, as well as the control of these diseases. You will also study biomedical ethics and law and leadership and management.
You will then carry out your own independent research project under the supervision of experts in the area.
You will develop specialist knowledge of the fundamental principles and recent advances in infection and immunity, which are required for careers in infection control, pharmaceutical industries and academia.
You will also be able to design and implement a research project involving the use of critical analysis and a range of specialist practical skills necessary to carry out an individualised experimental research project in the area of infection and immunity.
Finally, you will develop sufficiently detailed information about the modern technologies used in diagnostics, product development and research. This will enable you to apply these to complex problem-solving in the investigation of disease and development of new therapeutic treatments, as well as being able to use the principles of laboratory management safety, quality control, evaluation of ethics relating to research and use of statistical methods in your professional life.
*This course is currently being reviewed. Please check back regularly for changes
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This module aims to provide you with sound knowledge of the transmission, epidemiology and pathogenesis of human infectious diseases.
This module aims to provide you with sound knowledge of the means of controlling the transmission of, and exposure to, infectious agents, the means through which the human body limits infection by the innate and adaptive immune response and the theoretical and practical aspects of immunisation and antimicrobial chemotherapy.
The module aims to examine advanced bioanalytical techniques that are used in biomedical research, for the analysis of products, for improving disease 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 involving research with human and animal subjects. 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.
The module aims to provide you with the tools required to design effective and efficient experiments, and to test scientific hypotheses. The module will also equip you with the tools necessary for statistical analysis in a hypothesis testing context.
The module aims to provide you with the knowledge of current theories and approaches to leading and managing people so that they can bring about a positive change in their team or organisation.
This module aims to develop your skills in the planning and execution of an analytical, laboratory-based study and critical evaluation of real research results drawing on your acquired knowledge from other modules. In addition, the module aims to develop your communication skills to enable you to communicate your findings in written and oral form.
See the course specification for more information:
We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we've learnt in recent years by enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.
This programme will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and laboratory work, self-study (both directed and self-directed), flipped learning, problem-solving exercises and peer presentations.
You will learn research skills through undertaking a research project supervised by an appropriately trained and subject specific research supervisor.
You will be assessed using both individual and group presentations, written assignments including laboratory reports, critical reviews and seen and unseen practical and theory examinations.
Your cognitive skills are assessed by written work incorporating problem solving, report and project writing including statistical analysis, examinations, and submission of a research dissertation.
We have developed new approaches to teaching and learning for the 2021/22 academic year.
We are currently reviewing our approach to teaching and learning for 2022 entry and beyond. We've learned a lot about how to give you a quality education - we aim to combine the best of our in-person 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 2022 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 |
Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1200 hours to your course across all styles of learning. If you are taking a placement, you might have some additional hours.
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. The range of roles open to graduates is vast and many have gone on to work in medical or pharmaceutical research, in primary care in surgeries and clinics, or in the community, identifying health risks, educating people about infection prevention and helping to stop the spread of disease.
Others have gone onto to in environmental health, investigating food poisoning outbreaks and ensuring that food and drink businesses meet health and hygiene standards. There are also opportunities in diagnostic laboratories within both the public and private sectors.
This particular programme should appeal to you if you’re interested in developing your knowledge and skills in the field of infection and immunity for a career in the healthcare sector, academia, or industrial research and development. You could also find employment in the fields of infection control and vaccine and assay development within the pharmaceutical Industry.
Dr Outram's specialist research area includes the role of human chorionic gonadotrophin in inducing suppression of the immune response both during pregnancy and by hCG secreting tumours.
Dr Ring's specialist research area includes infectious diseases and their control by the use of vaccines and anti-infective treatments, both novel and conventional.
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 2022 (UK) *, September 2022 (EU/INT induction)
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGB90B (MSc), PGB90J (PGCert)
Start: October 2022, September 2022 (EU/INT induction)
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGC550, PGC55B (PGCert)
Start: October 2023, September 2023 (EU/INT induction)
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGB900 (MSc), PGB90M (PGCert)
