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.

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.