Program Overview

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Introduction to the Functional Genome Biology - MRes Program

The Functional Genome Biology - MRes program at the University of Birmingham is a postgraduate research degree that provides students with a unique training experience in all aspects of genome biology. This program is designed to prepare students for the next stage in a research career, focusing on substantial hands-on, real-world training to give students the employability skills needed for PhD and industry positions.

Program Details

• Start Date: September
• Duration: 1 year, full-time
• Course Type: Postgraduate, Combined research and taught, Taught
• Fees:
  • Annual tuition fee for 2023/24:
    • UK: £10,980
    • International: £26,040

Program Suspension

This program is currently suspended and not accepting applications. Please continue to check the university's website for the latest information.

Program Description

Genome biology is the biological science of the 21st century and has the potential to transform medicine. It is powerfully informative about how DNA and genomes are organised and controlled. An understanding of its core principles and how it responds to stresses and interventions is a requirement for future research leaders.

This program places students at the centre of world-leading expertise to provide a unique training experience, offering cutting-edge taught and research training in all aspects of genome biology. As a research Masters degree, it prepares students for the next stage in a research career. Its delivery focuses on substantial hands-on, real-world training to give students the employability skills they will need for PhD and industry positions.

Molecular mechanisms are at the basis of physiology, development, diseases, and infections, and are key to the development of novel treatments for diseases. The program will allow students to develop an understanding of the fundamental aspects of genome regulation, repair, and replication. Students will gain bioinformatics/computer-based skills that use the latest omic technologies to analyse large and complex datasets, along with lab-based interventional approaches using new technologies. Students will also develop a deep knowledge and understanding of genome biology analysis and experimentation, and how this links to addressing biomedical questions. This will be complemented by a wide range of practical laboratory skills and hands-on experience of cutting-edge techniques, as well as transferable skills of time and project management, teamwork, and scientific communication.

Why Study This Course?

• Only program of its kind in the UK
• Research-driven Masters, informed by our world-leading research in genome biology
• Teaching and assessments are centred around giving students a real-world experience of being a researcher in a laboratory
• We will offer laboratory projects to every student, government guidance permitting
• Opportunity to participate in the Birmingham Symposium on Genome Structure and Function

Modules

• Genome Dynamics (20 credits) This module aims to consider critical aspects of how genomes, particularly the human genome, are organised, regulated, maintained, and copied. This module will go into the detail required to understand and study how a genome functions as a physical, dynamic package of information and the vulnerabilities that it is prone to. We will introduce students to a variety of experimental model systems and techniques used in cutting-edge genome research being carried out by researchers at the University. Finally, we will encourage critical assessment of published literature and creative thinking around experimental design in genome biology. This module will build on previous learning anticipated from students’ BSc-level learning.
• Introduction to BioInformatics (20 credits) This module aims to develop an understanding of how bioinformatics is at the core of modern biomedical science. It will deliver a practical grounding in how computing, maths, and statistics underpin the modern analytical approaches of “Big Data” generated using 'omic technologies. The module underpins and complements the other taught modules in the program and will provide both understanding and practical skills to students to enable them to use appropriate bioinformatics tools in their research projects, while also facilitating effective communication with bioinformaticians.
• Application of Genomic Approaches to Biomedical Research (20 credits) This module aims to explore how functional genome biology informs advances in biomedicine. The module will deliver a firm grounding in the way that modern analytical approaches of Big Data generated using cutting-edge ‘omic technologies have influenced advances in our understanding of human disease and its management. It will consider ‘omic technologies that can capture genetic, epigenetic, and expression changes in different biological sample types in the lab and clinic and the computational approaches utilised to process and analyse the generated data. It will also explore the types of patient cohorts and samples needed to generate the most fruitful data sets and examine how ‘omic data provides novel means to manage specific diseases risk, progression, and treatments.
• Research Project (120 credits) This module provides students with an opportunity to take the knowledge acquired during the taught elements of the course in ‘Introduction to Bioinformatics’, ‘Genome approaches’, and ‘Genome Dynamics’ to develop their research skills in laboratories that use functional genomic approaches to address fundamental questions in genome biology. Therefore, projects will have both ‘wet’ lab and ‘dry’ lab elements to ensure that the students acquire a broad range of experimental skills relevant to the study of genome biology. To cater for individual student needs, exclusively ‘wet’ lab and ‘dry’ lab projects will also be offered. Projects will typically be offered in the areas of cancer genetics, developmental genetics, DNA damage, replication and segregation, translational biology, and drug development, all of which are research strengths at UoB, and all utilise omic technologies and informatics approaches for large dataset analyses.

Fees

Annual tuition fee for 2023/24:

• UK: £10,980
• International: £26,040

Postgraduate Loans for Masters students

As a UK resident, you can apply for a government loan for postgraduate Masters study. This is a contribution towards the costs of study, and whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance, or other costs will be at the discretion of the student.

Scholarships

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships, or their home government. Visit the university's website for information about scholarships for international students.

Entry Requirements

• A 2:1 Honours degree in biomedical science, biological sciences, or biochemistry.
• Applicants who do not meet this requirement but who have relevant experience may be considered. Please get in touch with the university to discuss your suitability prior to applying.

International Students

Academic Requirements

We accept a range of international qualifications - use the dropdown box below to select your country and see the equivalencies to the above UK requirements.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.

Career Prospects

The course is aimed at developing students into biomedical scientists with an interdisciplinary profile.

With this wide range of skills, graduates of the program will be well-suited to careers in academic genomic research, and in the pharmaceutical and data science fields. This may include roles in oncology, genome editing, the drug development pipeline, tissue engineering, and in clinical laboratories.

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, the university's Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

The unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. The team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships, and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services, you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.