Overview

Skin Science and Stem Cell Biology is the study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in tissue regeneration; study of which is ultimately aimed at the treatment of human disease by producing replacement cells, tissues and organs. Although still in relative infancy, this exciting new field of tissue engineering is rapidly growing in importance, as recognised by the 2012 Nobel Prize in Medicine which was awarded for research in this field.

The Skin Science and Stem Cell Biology programme at Bradford has been designed to allow students to focus on acquiring specialised scientific knowledge and practical skills in stem cell biology related to skin sciences, with a particular emphasis on the potential applications in the treatment of skin disorders as well as the relevance to regenerative medicine.

A key feature of the programme is the opportunity to combine advanced scientific knowledge in skin sciences with the experimental techniques used in research. Consequently, graduates qualified with a MSc in Skin Science and Stem Cell Biology are in high demand for employment in hospitals, universities, healthcare and diagnostics laboratories, as well as other industries where commercialisation of diagnostic and cosmetic products is of primary importance.

Learning and assessment

The programme content is taught using conventional teaching methods that 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.

Career prospects

Regenerative medicine aims to treat human disease by producing replacement cells, tissues or organs. It involves a group of novel technologies based on the use of stem cells. This exciting area is currently at an early stage, but it is developing rapidly due to the recent ability to manipulate specialised adult stem cells to revert to a more flexible, embryonic–like stage (induced pluripotent stem cells) which can produce all cell types (Nobel Prize, 2012).

Since regenerative medicine has the potential to become an area of major practical importance in clinical medicine, but is currently at a very early stage, postgraduates with advanced knowledge in this topic will be well- placed at the forefront of a new and rapidly expanding area.

Graduates from this unique Masters course, which is the only one providing expertise in both skin sciences and regenerative medicine, will have a particular advantage as their proficiency will cover these two important fields with major significance for both research and industrial employment.