Mechanisms and Therapy in Infection and Inflammation MSc

Program Overview

The Mechanisms and Therapy in Infection and Inflammation MSc program at Brunel University offers a comprehensive understanding of infectious and inflammatory diseases through theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Students gain expertise in pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of infections and inflammatory conditions, developing skills in laboratory and computational techniques, and scientific communication. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, industry, and the public sector, equipping them with advanced knowledge and transferable skills in biomedical research.

Program Outline

Mechanisms and Therapy in Infection and Inflammation MSc

Degree Overview:

This one-year full-time or two-year part-time Master’s program offers students an extensive understanding of infection and inflammation through theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical experience. The curriculum focuses on the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of infectious diseases like HIV, COVID-19, and tuberculosis. Additionally, the program will delve into inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This program emphasizes developing practical laboratory and computational skills, allowing students to analyze and interpret complex research data. They will be trained in biological and statistical approaches relevant to human diseases and identify potential interventions. The program also includes modules that teach scientific communication skills, enabling students to write their findings in a way that benefits diverse audiences.

Outline:

This program focuses on providing a solid understanding of infectious and inflammatory diseases through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent research.

Year 1:

The first year offers modules on the following topics (subject to change):

• Infection, Inflammation and Immunity: Explores the fundamentals of immune responses to infections and inflammatory conditions.
• Molecular and Cellular Biology Basis of Disease: Examines the molecular basis of disease and inflammation and how malfunctions occur at cellular levels
• Microbial Pathogenesis: Investigates the mechanisms by which pathogens cause disease, including immune evasion strategies.
• Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance: Understanding antimicrobial mechanisms, resistance, its implications, and development of alternative strategies to combat infections.
• Mechanisms, Mediators, and Manipulation in Inflammation, Repair, Regeneration: Dive deeper into the intricacies of inflammatory mechanisms and processes behind tissue repair and regeneration.
• Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design: Develop the ability to analyze research data and gain insight into study design.
• Bioinformatics, Omics Technologies, Applications, and Analyses: Equips oneself with advanced skills and tools to analyze large datasets and glean meaningful biological knowledge.
• Research Project (Dissertation): An independent research project on a chosen area within the field of infection and inflammation, supervised by experts in Brunel University’s CIRTM.
The course structure typically consists of:
• Lectures: Interactive sessions led by experts, providing in-depth knowledge about specific areas.
• Seminars: Small group discussions focused on specific topics or research articles
• Workshops: Hands-on sessions for gaining practical research and analytical skills.
• Laboratories: Intensive practical sessions where students perform various experiments and gain experience in specific techniques.
• Individual Research Project Supervision and Meetings: Regular meetings and consultations with supervisors for research guidance and project development.

Assessment:

The assessments in this program will likely be a blend of individual coursework projects, presentations, and examinations:

• Courseworks: Independent research and analysis assignments on various modules, requiring students to demonstrate understanding and apply theoretical knowledge.
• Presentations: Present findings from research projects or module-related topics, fostering communication skills.
• Examinations: Written tests assessing understanding of theoretical concepts taught during lectures and seminars.
• Dissertation assessment: Evaluation based on the research project's depth, analysis and interpretation, scientific writing, and presentation of original findings and contributions to the field.

Teaching:

Teaching approaches:

The program incorporates various teaching approaches including:

• Interactive lectures with multimedia tools.
• In-depth seminar discussions with guest speakers.
• Extensive practical laboratory sessions and training in specialized research methodologies.
• Group projects and collaborative assignments.

Careers:

Potential career paths

Graduates from this program are equipped for various career paths in:

• Academia: pursuing PhD studies for further research careers in universities or research institutions.
• Industry/Pharmaceutical companies: roles as scientists, researchers, clinical trial managers, or project leaders, focusing on developing novel therapies for infectious or inflammatory diseases.
• Public sector/Healthcare: opportunities as research scientists in government institutions, hospitals, or medical research councils.

Career outcomes

The MSc curriculum provides a strong foundation to succeed in multiple sectors. The program equips graduates with:

• Advanced knowledge of infection and inflammation
• Hands-on skills in molecular biology, immunology, and research techniques
• Competence in statistical and bioinformatic approaches for data analysis
• Ability to design, conduct research projects, and write scientific reports
• Strong scientific communication and presentation skills
The program can open doors to diverse careers in research-intensive environments or positions requiring scientific expertise and critical thinking.

Other:

• The program's focus on core biomedical principles provides transferable skill sets applicable to other areas like cancer or neurodegenerative diseases research.
• The program can be a gateway to pursue PhD studies.

2024/25 UK £12,650 International £23,615