Welcome to your Molecular Biology course

Welcome to your MSc in Molecular Biology course at the University of Staffordshire!

We are excited to meet you and look forward to an inspiring journey ahead.

Starting a postgraduate course can feel overwhelming at first, but we are here to support you every step of the way. To help you prepare and know what to expect, we put together this information to ensure you are ready for your exciting new adventure at the University of Staffordshire.

Course delivery

Our MSc in Molecular Biology course provides a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical foundations of health and disease at the modular level. Throughout the course, the knowledge you gain in molecular biology and clinical sciences will be applied to real-world clinical contexts, enhancing your ability to develop diagnostic, prognostic, and management strategies for various health challenges. Assessments are specifically designed to evaluate your ability to apply this theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, ensuring you can translate your learning into practical skills.

Both full-time on-campus and blended learning cohorts undertake three modules per semester. The academic year is divided into three semesters. Each semester lasts 12 weeks and includes two hours of scheduled face-to-face lectures/ practicals per week for each module (for on-campus students) and flexible learning activities for blended cohorts. Semester 3 for both cohorts includes a research project involving laboratory work, during which students are expected to work independently for 6 consecutive weeks, approximately 3-4 days per week. The part-time blended learning course is two years long, with students undertaking two modules per semester across the duration of the course. All assessments for modules consist of both formative and summative components, and feedback will be provided throughout the course, including on formative submissions.

Semester one activities

In the first few weeks, students will become familiar with university systems, including access to Blackboard, learning materials, and support resources. During the semester-1 period, you will engage with the following modules:

Principles of Molecular Biology

Provides the foundational principles of molecular biology, covering DNA structure and replication, gene and genome organization, transcription, RNA processing, translation, protein structure, gene regulation, and basic metabolism.

Molecular Biology of Disease

Explores the molecular basis of non-infectious and infectious diseases, examining how genetic, environmental, and behavioural factors contribute to disease development and their molecular interactions.

Molecular Genetics

Focuses on the principles of gene structure, inheritance, mutation, and genetic variation. It covers techniques used in genetic analysis and their applications in research and medicine, preparing students for understanding genetic contributions to health and disease.

Pre-Learning

It is never too early to start preparing, and we want to ensure you have all the resources you need to succeed. Below is the link to the online text that will be essential for all your level 7 module.

Please click here for further information:

https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/244

Nature education- Scitable:

https://www.nature.com/scitable/

edX- Molecular Biology- free science library:

https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/7-01sc-fundamentals-of-biology-fall-2011/pages/molecular-biology/

Equipment and software

Please use the link below to download Microsoft office, which is free to access and download with your university email and is necessary for your course.

Download software

Other Useful Information

Check your university email regularly
To ensure you stay informed and do not miss any important updates, please make it a habit to check your university email regularly. The university and academic staff will communicate with you exclusively through your university email account, so staying updated through this channel is essential for your success and smooth progression in the program.

Academic Skills Support
To help you succeed in your studies, the university offers a range of academic skills support services. These include online guides covering the essential academic skills topics, which you can access at any time. Additionally, there are taught workshops designed to develop your skills in areas such as writing, referencing, and time management. For personalized assistance, you can also book one-to-one appointments with academic support tutors. We encourage you to make full use of these resources to enhance your learning experience and achieve your academic goals. Click here to find out more

Useful Links

Mental Wellbeing - https://www.staffs.ac.uk/study/disabled/mental_wellbeing/
Student Support - https://www.staffs.ac.uk/students
Financial Support - https://www.staffs.ac.uk/students/money-matters/student-support-fund
Study Support from the Library - https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/c.php?g=654666&p=4599175 and http://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/libraryresources

Meet the team

Dr Ahmad Haidery

Senior Lecturer

I am a Senior Lecturer in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, serving as Course Leader for the Postgraduate Programme in Molecular Biology and Health and Director of Studies for PhD and Professional Doctorate programs.

Ahmad's profile

Dr Hans Hennies

Senior Lecturer

I am a biochemist and medical geneticist and a fellow of the IBMS. I have a long-standing experience in teaching and research with a strong interest in biomedical science and especially translational research in genetic skin diseases.

Hans's profile

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

We look forward to welcoming you in September.

If you have any questions, please send them to your Course Leader: Dr Ahmad Haidery, Ahmad.Haidery@staffs.ac.uk