Molecular Biology

Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:: Full-time, blended learning, February start
Study option:: Full-time, blended learning, September start
Study option:: Part-time, blended learning, February start
Study option:: Part-time, blended learning, September start; Choose another study option
Duration:: 16 Months
Duration:: 13 Months
Duration:: 28 Months
Duration:: 25 Months
Start date:: 1 February 2021; 14 September 2020; 1 February 2021; 14 September 2020
School:: School of Life Sciences and Education

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Molecular biology is increasingly important for professionals in health and related areas such as pharmaceutical sciences and biotechnology. Our distance learning MSc focuses on the way advanced molecular technologies inform clinical practice.

The study of biology at a molecular level is leading to advances in the treatment of many diseases. This course is designed for health professionals who want to understand its impact on biomedicine and related subjects. It will also be of interest to those working in other areas of biology where molecular biology has applications.

The course will enable you to study areas of molecular biology of particular interest or relevance to your employment. It includes a workplace project which you can tailor to be highly relevant to your current work and interests.

The course is designed to be flexible, with the majority being delivered online, plus two practical weeks in our laboratories, where you can put your learning into practice. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, and we offer September or February start dates.

The theory is delivered using our online Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll interact with other students on the course through online discussion groups and receive excellent support from your tutors.

Full-time students usually complete the MSc in around 15 months.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Molecular Biology

Course content

The course will introduce you to recent advances made in the study of disease, with an emphasis on how advanced molecular technologies inform, and impact upon, clinical practice. You’ll develop hands-on practical skills during two one-week residential short courses, held in June and September.

You can tailor many elements of the course to focus on your personal or employment interests. For example, you’ll undertake a research project which can be completed at your place of work or at the University.

The MSc involves eight 15-credit modules plus your project, which is worth 60-credits. Each 15-credit module will involve 12-15 hours of study per week over nine weeks. Part-time students are advised to take one module at a time. Full-time students will take two modules at a time.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Standard route

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Bioinformatics (Dl)	15 credits
Chronic Multifactorial Disease (Dl)	15 credits
Infectious Disease (Dl)	15 credits
Medical Genetics And Genomics (Dl)	15 credits
Molecular Diagnostics	15 credits
Msc Molecular Biology Project	60 credits
Practical Dna Analysis	15 credits
Principles Of Molecular Biology	15 credits

Show 2 optional modules

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 optional modules
Current Developments In Genetics	15 credits
Negotiated Learning Module	15 credits

Show 8 compulsory modules

Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Infectious Disease (Dl)	15 credits
Molecular Diagnostics	15 credits
Msc Molecular Biology Project	60 credits
Practical Dna Analysis	15 credits

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Chronic Multifactorial Disease (Dl)	15 credits
Infectious Disease (Dl)	15 credits
Molecular Diagnostics	15 credits
Principles Of Molecular Biology	15 credits

Entry requirements

UK qualifications

International qualifications

You’ll normally need a minimum 2:2 honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject. However, accredited professional qualifications or vocational experience can be considered, and we strongly encourage anyone interested in the course to get in touch.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country

Facilities

Specialist Labs

Our specifically designed Science Centre includes specialist laboratories, interview suites, and dedicated specialist equipment.

Science Centre

Our £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent contains specialist laboratories with the latest state-of-the-art equipment.

Molecular Cellular Biology and Genetics

Facilities for genetic and gene expression analysis, cellular imaging, and growth of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.

Molecular Biology and DNA Analysis

Specialist facilities, including: equipment for molecular biology analysis and DNA sequencing; cell biology, tissue culture and microbiology culture facilities; light, fluorescence and electron microscopes.

Careers

The course is designed to aid your career advancement in any field where molecular biology is relevant. Or you may be looking to change or re-focus your career in this direction.

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

The mighty mitochondria and the future of three person babies

Watch our masterclass webinar on mitochondria and the future of three person babies.

Teaching and assessment

Overview

Study time

Teaching

As a distance learning student you’ll be expected to study independently. Support is available when you need it. You can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are. This includes discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Assessment

Module assessment is mainly through course work, plus two online exams.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our AccessAbility Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

You'll typically need to complete 12 – 15 hours of independent work each week. However, the actual study time will vary from student to student.

Independent learning

The focus of this course is independent learning and individual study time. This could involve:

Set reading material or e-text books
Researching e-journals and e-books from the library or library books which can be posted to you (UK based students only)
Preparing for your dissertation

Staff

You'll be taught by staff who have a range of academic and industry experience.

Dr Gavin McStayAssociate Professor

Gavin's research interests focus on the roles mitochondria play in aspects of eukaryotic life, ranging from their origin, metabolism, biogenesis and role they play in cell death pathways. These are interrogated using biochemical, molecular biology, genetic and cell biology techniques. He incorporates these interests into classes he teaches to provide an understanding of practical techniques and also the current literature in the field. He is also a strong supporter of scientific communications and outreach to disseminate scientific developments and knowledge to a broader audience with the goal of increasing the general support of the scientific process.

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Dr Arthur HosieSenior Lecturer

Arthur is an experienced research scientist and higher education lecturer with an interest in molecular microbiology.

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Dr Sarah WilliamsSenior Lecturer and Biomedical Science course Lead

I joined the team here at Staffordshire University in May 2013 as a Lecturer in Biomedical Science. I'm a member of the British Society for Immunology and the Association for Clinical Biochemistry.

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Dr Sue BirdSenior Lecturer

I teach on the modules Molecular Aspects of Chronic Multifactorial Diseases, part of Principles of Molecular Biology, part of Human Molecular Genetics, part of Molecular Diagnostics and project supervision

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Trust DiyaLecturer

Trust is a Lecturer in Molecular Biology. His research interests are on the effects of flavonoids on mammalian cells.

Ian DaviesSenior Lecturer and Healthcare Science Course Lead

My expertise is within clinical pathology laboratories and the use of biomedical investigations in the diagnosis and investigation of disease.

I'm Module Coordinator for Professional Practice for Biomedical Scientists and Cellular Pathology.

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Paul OrsmondSenior Lecturer

Paul is a lecturer who co-ordinates a number of different modules within the department of biology and in order to encourage student learning I develop different types of curriculum.

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Fees

Overview

Additional costs

Financial support

For the course starting on 1 February 2021 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MSc-Full-time, blended learning, February start
Study option	UK / EU / Channel Islands	International (Non-EU)
Full time	£7,850 per course	£14,500 per course

Tuition fees for MSc Part-time, blended learning, February start
Study option	UK / EU / Channel Islands	International (Non-EU)
Part time	£3,915 per year of study	£3,915 per year of study

Tuition fees for MSc Part-time, blended learning, September start
Study option	UK / EU / Channel Islands
Part time	£3,915 per year of study

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the postgraduate fees page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in tuition fees
Included in the fees:
The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book. The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book. The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book. The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book.

Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:
Your travel costs to the University for the residential short courses aren’t included in your tuition fees. Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place. Your travel costs to the University for the residential short courses aren’t included in your tuition fees. Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place. Your travel costs to the University for the residential short courses aren’t included in your tuition fees. Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place. Your travel costs to the University for the residential short courses aren’t included in your tuition fees. Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,609 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Bursaries and scholarships

Our students

Student stories

Airin Zaba
Graduate, MSc Molecular Biology

I’m working full time as a Molecular Biologist so this course is definitely very related to my career. The module offer in the course is all related to what I do in work and some of the modules help me to understand the other developments in my company.

The lecturers were very helpful, especially the tutor for each module – they guide you through and if there was something I didn’t understand, they were willing to Skype with me and to enlighten me for the areas that I wasn't clear in.

I would say that distance learning at Staffordshire is very structured and is similar to the on-campus course. You get all the modules online, you get contact with your lecturers and you get access to the library. You get the same quality as on-campus but in your own time.

Fadi Hamoui
Graduate, MSc Molecular Biology

I got lots of support from the professors at the University. They granted me extensions because they took my situation into account because they knew the circumstances were out of my control at home.

The advantage of a distance learning degree was that I could study at my convenience but it also required lots of self-discipline.

My dream job would now be to work in a hospital or research agency trying to find cures for cancer.

Chiezda Peni
MSc Molecular Biology

I completed my undergraduate in Biomedical Science with a 2:1 in 2018. Due to the great experience I had during my undergraduate study I chose to stay and do the masters programme provided.

My undergraduate degree highlighted the various aspects of health and how that all moulds together to provide the best care. I chose the masters because I believe it will lead me into diagnostics and personalised medicine, which is where my interest lies.

The laboratory work was great because it really helped me understand the theory and also allowed me to develop great lab skills.

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Location:

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Award:

MSc

Study option:

Full-time, blended learning, February start

Start date:

1 February 2021

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Location:

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Award:

MSc

Study option:

Full-time, blended learning, September start

Start date:

14 September 2020

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Location:

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Award:

MSc

Study option:

Part-time, blended learning, February start

Start date:

1 February 2021

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Location:

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Award:

MSc

Study option:

Part-time, blended learning, September start

Start date:

14 September 2020

Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Course content