Course description

This postgraduate degree will provide you with instruction in current concepts and techniques of molecular genetics as applied in modern research, together with practical experience of experimental techniques. Although the course is demanding and challenging, our students tell us that they find it exciting, stimulating and rewarding.

During this intensive experimental course you will form strong working relationships with the other students and meet people from many different countries; our students make friendships that last many years.

Teaching and learning

The taught phase of the course is based around a series of hands-on lab experiments and small group teaching that will introduce you to a variety of modern molecular techniques and research strategies. One day a week is reserved for a supporting lecture programme in diverse topics related to molecular genetics and biosciences.

In this taught phase, continuous assessment exercises will be a major element of the course and written assignments will be used to assess your analysis and understanding of the taught practical modules; there are also two exams. To allow you to complete written assignments and to prepare for exams, some weeks are set aside for private study and revision.

During the second phase of your course, you will undertake a full-time laboratory research project in a topic and lab chosen from a broad range offered by the College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, the MRC Toxicology Unit, or collaborating research institutes or industrial partners (when available).

The spread of projects covers a wide variety of disciplines involving molecular genetics and a variety of organisms, and some work conducted by students has contributed to peer reviewed publications.

Careers and employability

The research training you receive and the research project you conduct will provide a training that PhD supervisors and employers value highly when recruiting from around the world.