Program Overview

---

Medical Science MRes

Overview

This course provides ideal training for students who wish to move onto a PhD course, or who simply wish to undertake a significant research project. Biomedical and medical research ultimately leads to the treatments of tomorrow.

Study Options

• Full-Time, Part-Time at Exton Park, Chester

Level

• Postgraduate

UCAS Code

• N/A

UCAS Points

• N/A

Start Date

• Oct 2025, Oct 2026

Duration

• 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Location

• Exton Park, Chester

UK Fees

• £5,006 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

International Fees

• £19,133 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Course Summary

This course provides ideal training for students who wish to move onto a PhD course, or who simply wish to undertake a significant research project. The focus of this MRes is on a biomedical/medical research project in your chosen discipline.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• You will complete two taught modules covering core research skills essential for the completion of any clinical/medical research project combined with specialist knowledge that best suits the aims of the module.
• You will select one optional module relevant to your research area.
• You will also undertake a compulsory Research Dissertation.

Modules

Evidence Based Medicine

• Module content:
  • The nature of research; scientific methods of enquiry, versus ways of problem solving.
  • Research and data collection methods: experimental research, descriptive research, qualitative research.
  • Critical appraisal of literature- primary and secondary literature.
  • Importance of evidence based medicine; identifying a topic area, devising specific questions, discovering what is already known.
• Module aims:
  • Equip students with the skills required to source and critically analyse relevant research.
  • Apply the theories of evidence based medicine to evaluate relevant concepts in medicine.

Analysis and Interpretation of Clinical Data

• Module content:
  • The sample – collection, transport, storage.
  • The assay – assay development, method validation, precision, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity.
  • Regulatory issues - quality control, SOPs, COSHH, risk assessments.
  • Analysis – recording, raw data presentation, statistical analysis using statistics software, summary data and statistical analysis presentation, reference values, interpretation.
• Module aims:
  • Develop an understanding of the theories underpinning modern analytical and molecular techniques of relevance to the biomedical and molecular laboratory scientist.
  • Develop a critical appreciation of the uses and limitations of a range of analytical and molecular techniques relevant to the biomedical and molecular sciences through practical experience.

Clinical Medicine

• Module content:
  • This module is focused on the precision medicine approach, looking systematically at a bigger picture of a patient journey from a presentation to NHS with first symptoms to the treatment protocol passing the diagnostic process.
• Module aims:
  • Provide students with an in-depth knowledge of concepts important to our understanding of patient journey in NHS process.

Blood Sciences

• Module content:
  • This module will focus on laboratory test performed in blood science laboratories for the diagnosis and management of patients with a variety of conditions.
• Module aims:
  • Allow students to develop an understanding of various clinical haematological and biochemical (blood sciences) disorders, and to develop an in-depth knowledge of the laboratory tests performed in the diagnosis and management of such diseases.

Clinical Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis

• Module content:
  • Discussion of clinical immunology, including immune mediated disorders, transplantation immunology, pathogenesis of infectious disease, and aspects of infection/host parasite interaction.
• Module aims:
  • Allow students to develop an understanding of the immunological processes involved in various aspects of clinical immunology and to develop an in-depth understanding of the interactions between pathogens and the human host.

Diabetes

• Module content:
  • Overview of metabolism, introduction to Carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism.
  • Metabolic regulation.
  • Overview of the endocrine system and basic biological principles.
  • Glucose transport systems.
  • Glucose regulation in healthy individuals.
  • Overview of diabetes – diagnosis, classifications.
• Module aims:
  • Give the students a deep understanding of the etiology, progression and complications of the different types of diabetes.

Gastroenterology

• Module content:
  • The macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the different regions of the gastrointestinal tract and the physiology of each region.
  • Control mechanisms including neural, immune and hormonal.
  • Epidemiology, genetics and pathophysiology of - Acid/pepsin disorders, Malabsorption, Inflammatory bowel disease and Colorectal cancer.
• Module aims:
  • Give the student a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract and how this knowledge can be used to diagnose different diseases including their clinical presentations and complications.

Oncology

• Module content:
  • Studies the diagnosis and management of cancer patients.
  • Areas include the hallmarks of cancer, characteristics of benign and malignant tumours, diagnostic tools, metastasis, cancers of the blood, solid tumour, management of cancer patients.
• Module aims:
  • Provide comprehensive knowledge of and ability to evaluate prognostic and diagnostic challenges in oncology depending on hallmarks and bio-markers of different types of cancer.

Organic Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology

• Module content:
  • Develops an understanding of organic psychiatry and explores the biological causes of mental disorders.
  • Areas covered include delirium, strokes and subdurals, the aging brain, neuroimaging, alcohol, drugs and the ageing brain, cognitive testing and screening, endocrine dysfunction, introduction to Capacity Assessment.
• Module aims:
  • Develop an understanding of organic psychiatry and an appreciation of the molecular and biological changes in the brain and body as we age.

Orthopaedics

• Module content:
  • Exploration of the current understanding of orthopaedic conditions.
  • Specialist seminars delivered during teaching blocks will be presented covering the current state of the art of topics in orthopaedics.
• Module aims:
  • Allow students to develop an understanding of the current state of the art of the causes and development of the different types of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and methods of repair for damaged orthopaedic tissue.

Respiratory Medicine

• Module content:
  • Study the causes and development of respiratory disease including epidemiology and risk factors of respiratory disease, pathophysiological influences and cellular mechanisms leading to respiratory disease, genetic respiratory diseases, respiratory diseases caused by infectious agents, diagnostic procedures, complications of respiratory disease.
• Module aims:
  • Give the student a comprehensive understanding of the causes and development of the different types of respiratory disease.

Human Genetic Disease

• Module content:
  • Develops an in depth understanding of common and rare human genetic diseases.
  • Mechanistic basis of human genetic disease, clinical presentation, causes and prognosis of a range of genetic diseases, role of the health team in screening, pedigree analysis, genetic counselling, legal issues, patient education.
• Module aims:
  • Develop a mechanistic understanding of the causes, diagnosis and management of some human genetic diseases and the role of the integrated health care team in diagnosing and managing patients with human genetic disease, considering ethical and legal issues and the role of the care team in patient education.

Molecular Medicine

• Module content:
  • Discusses how molecular approaches can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of clinical conditions.
  • Genotyping and detection of genetic variation, genetic manipulation of cells, animal models, stem cell genetic manipulation and utilisation, ethics of genetic manipulation, the use of animals and stem cells in research and treatment.
• Module aims:
  • Develop expertise in molecular approaches applicable to a variety of disease types.

Infectious Disease

• Module content:
  • Module content provides students with an understanding of the types of infectious diseases and discusses virulence and susceptibility, and discusses the current knowledge on the mechanisms involved in infection and pathology of diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, prions & other unusual infectious agents.
• Module aims:
  • Give the students an appreciation of the different types of infectious disease and an advanced understanding of the resulting pathology that can be used to evaluate strategies for prevention and treatment.

Advanced Immunology

• Module content:
  • A detailed look at the immune system, as well as interactions between infectious organisms and the immune system and the challenges to develop control measures for infectious disease.
  • Mechanisms used by the immune system to detect and dispose of invasive agents, mechanisms used by microorganisms to evade the immune system, evaluating strategies to manipulate the immune system to prevent or treat infections, examining specific and specialised aspects of the immune system.
• Module aims:
  • Develop an advanced understanding of the immune system and its role in clearing infection, thus enabling the students to evaluate current research in the area.

Case Investigations in Molecular Medicine

• Module content:
  • Taught sessions will consider the molecular basis of disease (DNA, RNA, protein and epigenetic contributors) and molecular techniques used in diagnosis, treatment and research into disease (such as sequencing, ELISA, Mass Spectrometry, genetic modification).
  • Students will consider studies from different medical specialisms which use molecular medicine to answer clinical questions.
• Module aims:
  • Give the students an advanced level of understanding of molecular medicine and its associated ethics, which is consolidated through a case study approach.

Stem Cell Theory and Practice

• Module content:
  • Develops an understanding of the general concepts of stem cell biology and the potential of stem cell research and regenerative medicine to clinical conditions.
  • Basic stem cell biology – pluripotency, differentiation, epigenetics, embryonic, foetal, adult and iP stem cells, manipulation and differentiation of stem cells, application, legislation and ethics of stem cells in research and practice, current status of clinical applications of stem cells in regenerative medicine.
• Module aims:
  • Develops an advanced understanding of the general concepts of stem cell biology and the potential of stem cell research and regenerative medicine to clinical conditions.

MRes Research Dissertation

• Module content:
  • On completion of the taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice.
  • The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the Dissertation Module Leader (Research Co-ordinator).
• Module aims:
  • Provide the student with an opportunity to investigate systematically and in depth a scientific topic of direct relevance to the programme of study and his/her personal interests.
  • Enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in their chosen broad scientific field.
  • Present the outcomes of personal research in the form of two publishable scientific papers.
  • Be able to discuss their findings in an oral examination.

Models of Regenerative Medicine

• Module content:
  • Model Systems of Regeneration, Cell Systems and Responses to Injury, Regulatory factors governing tissue regeneration, Models of regeneration and regenerative medicine.
• Module aims:
  • Develop a clear understanding of the mechanisms underlying regeneration of the body plan, comparing and critically considering regenerative models from phyla across the animal kingdom.

Physical activity, exercise and sport in public health

• Module content:
  • Defining the physical behaviour continuum including sedentary behaviour, physical activity, exercise, sport, and fitness with relevance to their individual and collective links in public health, primary and secondary prevention.
• Module aims:
  • Develop a critical understanding of how both the natural world in which people live and conscious choices people make in their lives affects how physical active they are and how this affects public health and clinical health policies and standards.

Research and analysis in physical activity, exercise and sport

• Module content:
  • Literature searching and critical appraisal of research literature, evidenced based practice, research methods and methodologies, qualitative and quantitative research methods, ethical considerations, development of research questions and hypotheses, preparation of a research proposal, research planning and governance.
• Module aims:
  • Develop the critical appraisal skills necessary for level 7 study and in preparation for the development of a research proposal.

Psychology and human behaviour in health and performance

• Module content:
  • Students will choose a pathway of focus either of psychology in exercise for health or human competitive performance.
  • Core principles for all students will include mood, self-efficacy, planning or rehearsal.
• Module aims:
  • Critically review the theoretical frameworks and skills relevant to sport psychology practice.
  • Investigate the practical applications of mental skills training.

Comparative Exercise Physiology in health, disease and human performance

• Module content:
  • Cardio-respiratory and metabolic responses to incremental exertion from rest to maximum oxygen uptake, measures of muscle strength, power, endurance, flexibility, balance, coordination and proprioception.
• Module aims:
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of human physiological responses and adaptations to chronic physical activity/exercise training, respectively, in both athletic and in clinical populations.

Biomechanical techniques in human health and performance

• Module content:
  • Principles of Biomechanical Instrumentation and Measurement, Biomechanics of Sports Performance, Biomechanics in health, and in rehabilitation of neuromusculoskeletal disorders, Technical Training in Data Collection and Data Processing Procedures, Applied Techniques in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics.
• Module aims:
  • Develop students understanding of how to assess sporting movements, to improve performance and reduce injury.

Independent Clinical or Health Setting Application Module

• Module content:
  • For learning through a case-client approach, to choose content from any two of the programme's taught modules, and then apply this learning to caring, exercise programming, training, rehabilitation with real clients or patients and evaluate its efficacy in relation to the evidence base and/or professional guidelines.
• Module aims:
  • Critically evaluate the pragmatics and efficacy of putting the related evidence-base into practice, with real clients/patients that relates to the core concepts of health and exercise science.

Comparative Nutrition, Pharmaceuticals and Ergogenic Aids in Health and Performance

• Module content:
  • Nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and ergogenic aids in health, wellbeing and disease, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and ergogenic aids in athletic performance.
• Module aims:
  • Compare and contrast the nutritional requirements of the general public, clinical and athletic populations.

Who You'll Learn From

• Dr Jo Arnold, Senior Lecturer
• Dr Ruth Taylor, Senior Lecturer

How You'll Learn

• Mostly delivered in three-day blocks
• Assessment is largely through coursework
• This course is designed around in-person study
• There may be some online learning activities

Entry Requirements

• Home Students: honours degree
  • Applicants should normally possess a 2:1 honours degree in a related subject, such as biological sciences, medicine, or a healthcare-related subject.
  • Students with relevant work experience, but without the required qualifications, should contact the Programme Leader.
• International/EU Students: honours degree
  • Applicants should normally possess a 2:1 honours degree in a related subject, such as biological sciences, medicine, or veterinary sciences.
  • Students with relevant work experience, but without the required qualifications, should contact the Programme Leader.

English Language Requirements

• For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Where You'll Study

• Exton Park, Chester
• The location: Exton Park is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student.
• Modern learning resources and library: We have dedicated resources and IT services across campus, as well as our Seaborne Library.
• Fitness facilities: Exton Park boasts an impressive choice of indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities.
• Student Services: Exton Park is home to a number of our central support services, including Disability and Inclusion, Careers and Employability, and Student Support.
• Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces: Built in 1847 by former students, the University Chapel offers regular services and a venue to services.
• Accommodation: Most of our student accommodation is located either on or near Exton Park.
• Catering: We have several catering outlets available onsite, offering a wide selection of hot and cold food to students and visitors.

Fees and Funding

• Home Students: £5,006 per year full time (2025/26)
• International Students: £19,133 per year full time (2025/26)
• Additional Costs: Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees.
• Bursaries: The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.

Your Future Career

• Job prospects: Following the successful completion of the MRes course, our students have gone on to careers such as PhDs, research roles, patient clinical care roles, scientific writing and other healthcare-related jobs.
• Careers service: The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences.