Bioscience (Infectious Disease) MRes

Program Overview

Keele University's Bioscience (Infectious Disease) MRes is a one-year research-based master's degree that provides students with an opportunity to conduct an independent research project in the field of infectious disease. The program aims to prepare students for further study at the PhD level or careers in various industries, including research, academia, and pharmaceutical companies. Students will develop advanced research skills, including critical literature searching, experimental design, and data analysis, and will have access to state-of-the-art science facilities.

Program Outline

Keele University - Bioscience (Infectious Disease) - MRes

Degree Overview:

This program is a one-year research-based master's degree focusing on infectious disease. The program aims to provide students with an opportunity to spend concentrated time in a research environment for either a standalone degree, prepare for further study at PhD level or a career in various industries. The program is structured around a major independent research project undertaken in semesters two and three. This project allows students to experience working at the current and cutting edge of research in their chosen area. Students can choose to undertake the project at an external institution, nationally or internationally, to broaden their experience.

Outline:

• The program consists of taught modules in semester one and a major independent research project in semesters two and three.
• Taught modules in semester one cover research skills and knowledge, including critical literature searching, advanced research techniques, grant writing, and experimental design.
• The independent research project allows students to develop their research skills to an advanced level.
Students will formulate a research strategy, conduct thorough investigations, and analyze and critically evaluate data in the context of current literature in their field.
• The independent research project will assess students' skills in designing hypotheses-led investigations, conducting reliable experiments, and evaluating outcomes.
• The research project and the literature review module will highlight students' abilities in contextualizing and critically analyzing data.
• Students will also be required to present their scientific findings at an advanced level.
• The project and the literature review module will give students the opportunity to create a research topics portfolio and journal club-style presentation focusing on the critical evaluation of recent articles in their chosen specialism.
• The outcomes of the research project will also be presented as research posters and/or an oral presentation at the postgraduate research conference and through a professional discussion with an academic panel.
• The program will assess the range of professional skills students will develop while undertaking their individual project, including leadership, innovation, timekeeping, communication, experimental design, and the ability to work safely and ethically.

Teaching:

The program is delivered through various activities, including tutorials, workshops, seminars, and independent study.

• Tutorials and workshops will deepen students' understanding of core methodologies, allow them to reflect on their learning, and offer opportunities for discussion with other students and tutors.
• Seminars and journal clubs will develop research skills, particularly in the Advanced Research Techniques module.
• Weekly seminars with internal and external speakers currently working across the Bioscience discipline will broaden students' perspectives.
• Independent study will further improve students' subject understanding as they gather knowledge of core material from textbooks, research papers, and research reviews.
• The extended research project, the main focus of this MRes program, will be undertaken with the support and supervision of academic staff from the School of Life Sciences.

Careers:

The program provides graduates with the opportunity to pursue various career paths.

• Graduates can progress to PhD study or pursue careers in various industries, including research, academia, government agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.

Other:

• The program aligns with the School of Life Science's research themes, and students will be supported by expert academics who will develop their understanding of various theoretical perspectives, different methodological approaches, and the practical application of research within the biosciences field.
• The School of Life Sciences has invested £45m in creating state-of-the-art science facilities on campus, including new research and teaching laboratories.
• Students will have access to scientific equipment such as fluorescence microscopes, electron microscopes, tools for molecular biology, electrophysiology apparatus, and behavioral equipment.
• The program start date is September.
• The program is full-time.
• The tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year are £11,000 for UK students and £20,700 for international students.
• The program duration is one year.

UK - Full time £11,000 per year. International - £20,700 per year.