Medical Science MRes

The module aims to equip students with the skills required to source and critically analyse relevant research and to apply the theories of evidence based medicine to evaluate relevant concepts in medicine.  

Students will learn the following:

• The nature of research; scientific methods of enquiry, pure versus applied ways of problem solving. The building blocks of scientific research: types of research (analytical, descriptive, experimental, and qualitative), scientific parlance (hypothesis, concepts, operational definitions, and dependent/independent variables), sampling procedures, and measurement issues (reliability and validity)

• Research and data collection methods: experimental research (developing hypotheses, variables, control, sample selection, design, validity); descriptive research (questionnaires, correlational studies); qualitative research and methods of obtaining qualitative data and analysing qualitative data

• 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 (reviewing the literature), determining feasible ways to answer the questions, including consideration of medical and research ethics and confidentiality

This module aims to develop advanced research skills and critical thinking by providing an opportunity to engage in a systematic, in-depth investigation of a research topic that aligns with the research interests and expertise within Chester Medical School. This will enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in their chosen research field, while effectively disseminating research findings to a wider audience.

Students will gain an appreciation of aspects of data collection and analysis through lectures , practicals and computer-based sessions covering:

• 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.

 Students will gain experience of a number techniques of relevance to their programme and may include:

• Gel electrophoresis & Western blotting
• Flow cytometry
• Molecular biology techniques (e.g. PCR)
• Immunoassays (e.g. ELISA)
• Histology & microscopy 
• Culturing methods – cell culture, culturing bacteria
• Cell counting methods

The module aims to:

• 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.
• Develop skills in collection, analysis, presentation and interpretation of data. 

The sessions for the module will be delivered as blended learning - a combination of face-to-face and online teaching - lectures, tutorials and laboratory practicals.  

Online activities will be accessible to students via Moodle and will be used to prepare students for laboratory practicals.

Formative assessment will be provided in the form of group support sessions and via written feedback.

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.

Students will focus on diseases or elements of the pathology or system of relevance to their programme.

Aims:

The module aims to allow students to develop an understanding of the immunological processes involved in various aspects of clinical immunology (e.g. autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivity, transplantation) and to develop an in-depth understanding of the interactions between pathogens and the human host.

Module content:

Discussion of clinical immunology, including:

• Immune mediated disorders (e.g. mechanism of autoimmunity, hypersensitivity reactions, immunological markers of disease – flow cytometry & ELISA, cytokines)
• Transplantation immunology (HLA polymorphism, HLA function, anti-rejection therapy, graft versus host disease)
• Pathogenesis of infectious disease
• Aspects of infection/host parasite interaction
• Parasitology
• Medical mycology
• Chemotherapy and immunotherapy
• Epidemiology of infectious disease
• Diagnosis of infectious disease

Module Aims

The module aims to 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.

Module Content

This module will focus on laboratory tests performed in blood science laboratories for the diagnosis and management of patients with a variety of conditions.

In this module we will discuss a selection of tests from a variety of laboratories including haematology (routine, transfusion, coagulation and immunophenotyping), molecular biology and biochemistry. In this module we will discuss the diagnosis of a variety of disorders such as haematological malignancies, non-malignant haematological disorders, renal disorders, liver disease and clinical disorders of lipid metabolism.

The module aims to give the student a thorough understanding of the strategies available to treat the different types o haematological problems and the evidence base available to support decision making.

Reviews current guidelines and their evidence base in the therapeutic detection, management and treatment of haematological problems, and novel haematological therapies. Specific areas covered may include:

• UK standards and guidelines for the therapeutic management of different types of haematological problems
• UK standards and guidelines for blood transfusion and bone marrow 
• Haemostasis – managing and monitoring
• Bone marrow transplant
• Detecting and treating anaemias
• Detecting and treating blood cancers
• Blood disorders affecting platelets
• Blood disorders affecting plasma