Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences PhD/iPhD/MD/MSc (Research)

Program Overview

The PhD program in Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences trains students in advanced research techniques in cardiovascular science and medicine. The flexible program allows students to tailor their studies to their interests, with research areas including vascular science, cardiovascular biology, and stem cell therapies. Graduates pursue careers in academia, industry, government, and clinical research, leveraging the program's excellent facilities, vibrant research environment, and focus on career development.

Program Outline

PhD: Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences

Degree Overview:

The PhD program in Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences is designed to train students in the latest research techniques and methodologies in the field of cardiovascular science and medicine. The program aims to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue careers in academia, industry, or government. The program offers a flexible structure, allowing students to tailor their studies to their specific research interests. Students can choose from a wide range of research areas, including:

• Vascular science and medicine
• Cardiovascular biology and cell signaling
• Cardiovascular gene therapy for the treatment of vascular disease
• Basic and clinical cerebrovascular disease e.g.
stroke
• Stem cell therapies for cerebrovascular disease
• Genetics, genomics and systems medicine
• Adrenal corticosteroids in cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes, obesity, metabolic and renal disease
• Cardiovascular imaging
• Cardiovascular clinical trials
• Sport & exercise science & medicine
The program also offers excellent facilities and resources, including:
• Core facilities in optical imaging, electrophysiology, magnetic resonance imaging, spectroscopy, cell biology, high throughput genotyping, phenotyping, clinical trials, and a wide range of cellular, molecular and biochemical analysis tools.
• A vibrant research environment with opportunities for collaboration with leading researchers in the field.
• A strong focus on career development, with opportunities for internships, placements, and training in transferable skills.

Outline:

The program is typically four years full-time or five years part-time. The first year of the program consists of coursework and research rotations, which allow students to explore their research interests and gain experience in different research areas. The remaining years of the program are dedicated to conducting independent research under the supervision of a faculty member. The coursework component of the program typically includes modules in:

• Cardiovascular biology
• Cardiovascular physiology
• Cardiovascular pharmacology
• Cardiovascular research methods
• Ethics in research
Students are also required to complete a research thesis, which is the culmination of their independent research project.

Assessment:

Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Coursework assignments
• Exams
• Research presentations
• Research thesis
The weight of each assessment method varies depending on the course or module.

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their field. The faculty members use a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Laboratory experiments
• Industry placements
The program also offers a number of opportunities for students to develop their transferable skills, such as:
• Communication skills
• Teamwork skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Time management skills

Careers:

Graduates of the PhD program in Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences have gone on to pursue successful careers in a variety of sectors, including:

• Academia
• Industry
• Government
• Clinical research
• Education
• Public health
Some of the specific career paths that graduates of the program have pursued include:
• Cardiovascular research scientist
• Clinical research associate
• Medical writer
• Healthcare consultant
• Lecturer
• Public health officer

Other:

• The program is also offered as part of an integrated PhD (IPhD) program, which allows students to complete an MSc and PhD in a 1+3+1 format.
• The program is accredited by the Academy for Healthcare Science.
• The program is open to students from all over the world.