The University of Birmingham
Key Features
• Undergraduate Masters
• All taught modules completed in the first semester
• Choose your project before starting
• 7 month project with successful supervision teams in world-class research institutes with the possibility of publications
This undergraduate masters degree should benefit you both in the short term, in relation to career progression, but also in the long term by broadening your understanding of academic medicine. The Clinical Sciences degree introduces you to translational research; clinical and laboratory research that is aimed at moving laboratory research to the bedside. In particular, the course involves a seven month extended research project in your chosen specialist subject stream allowing you to gain substantial, direct experience of modern medical research. A wide range of projects are available to choose from including both laboratory based and data analysis designs. Many students present their findings at national conferences or have had their work published. In addition you will receive a range of lectures that highlight topics of current debate.
Upon successful completion of both taught elements and the research project, students will graduate with MSci Clinical Sciences or a specialism. The specialist streams currently available are: • MSci Clinical Sciences (Endocrinology and Metabolism) • MSci Clinical Sciences (Reproduction and Women’s Health) • MSci Clinical Sciences (Cardiovascular Sciences) • MSci Clinical Sciences (Cancer Sciences) • MSci Clinical Sciences (Geriatric Medicine and the Biology of Ageing) • MSci Clinical Sciences (Immunotherapy) • MSci Clinical Sciences (Microbiology & Infectious Diseases) • MSci Clinical Sciences (Ophthalmology)
The course consists of:
• a research project which leads to a thesis to be submitted in March/April. Students spend approximately 60% of their time on their research projects
• a 20 credit module in your specialist stream subject area
• a 20 credit taught module (Clinical Bioinformatics and Statistics) which will provide you with training in analysis of large clinical and laboratory data sets, including genomics
• a 20 credit taught module from a selection in the various disciplines of Clinical Sciences
Examples of optional modules that have previously been run are: Immunology and Liver Disease: Applications of Immunotherapy; Cancer: Genomics and Molecular Pathology; Endocrinology and Metabolism; An Overview of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Science; Reproduction and Women’s Health; Ophthalmology; Rheumatology and Orthopaedics; Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; Geriatric Medicine and the Biology of Ageing.
The Microbiology and Infectious Diseases module will provide students state-of-the-art insights into the role of microbes in human health and disease. In this module we will cover the unique biology of bacteria, fungi and viruses and the mechanisms by which they cause disease. Our lectures will also highlight the risks of zoonotic transfer of pathogens between animal reservoirs and humans, and how these have led to epidemics and pandemics. We will also cover how resistance to antimicrobials is threatening the treatment of infectious diseases. In addition, we will discuss recent insights into the role that the microbes which colonise the human body (‘the human microbiome’) play in our health or predisposition to disease. Tutorials will include the use of modern genomic techniques to study the spread and evolution of infectious agents and cover the COVID-19 pandemic as a case-study into the basics of infectious disease epidemiology and public health response.
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Have an awareness of the global impact of infectious diseases
• Have an understanding of the molecular basis of infectious pathogens and the interplay between pathogens and their host
• Have an appreciation of current techniques that are used to study the biology and epidemiology of microbial pathogens
• Understand the role that the human microbiome plays in health and disease
• Describe the mechanisms by which microbes gain resistance to antimicrobials
• Demonstrate knowledge of the factors that contribute to the emergence and global spread of pathogens
Entry Requirements
Building on work already undertaken within your medical studies, you may take the programme between the third and fourth, or fourth and fifth years of a medical degree. Applications are also accepted from pharmacy and dental students and students who have completed their medical degrees.
To be considered for the programme you will have to demonstrate that your performance in your current degree is equivalent to a 1 or 2.1 in a standard classified degree.
Details and application deadlines of bursaries and awards are sent to all students at the start of the programme. At the end of the year prizes are also awarded to the top performing students in a number of categories.
How To Apply To apply, please complete our online application form found here.
Current University of Birmingham students should use this form.
Further information can be obtained from Fiona Collard (Programme Administrator), email: intercalclinscience@contacts.bham.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)121 415 8120
Closing Date
Please contact our Intercalation team mdsintercalationenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk to make enquiries and apply.