Course description

This masters will enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of the biomedical regulation of the human body and how this is impacted by disease.  

• Increase your understanding of what current diseases are impacting global human health, the damage they are having on our body and how we can look to prevent this disease burden
• Develop advanced research skills that will prove invaluable for careers in medical research, the NHS and other health organisations, health charities, and biomedical industries
• You will cover areas such as oncology, diabetes, Alzheimer's/dementia, obesity and infectious diseases such as antibiotic resistance, bacteria and viruses
• Our teaching team are active human health researchers as well as experienced teachers. The diversity of research projects underway, which you can contribute to is vast – covering issues such as potential new treatments for ovarian cancer and the role of the Human Papilloma Virus in the development of head and neck cancers

As with other Biomedical Master degrees your academic knowledge will be supported by the practical applications of biomedical science, particularly in relation to modern molecular biology and infectious disease methods.  

However what is unique about this masters is that you can also look to develop a more in-depth understanding of public health and how we look to protect people from the national and international threats to their health, helping you to stand out in a competitive job market. This is becoming increasingly important due to the current challenges modern societies face. This course will ensure you graduate with the vital skills and knowledge to help tackle national and local crises.

You’ll explore how the biomedical regulation of the human body can be affected by a person’s physical wellbeing, their lifestyle choices, the environment they inhabit, and also the infectious diseases to which they can be exposed. You'll get the opportunity to further develop your laboratory skills in our newly-upgraded facilities and be introduced to scientific instrumentation being used in biomedical research and NHS facilities. We also deepen your awareness of the social and governmental driving forces which are transforming Global public health to strengthen the Global health focus.

Specialist facilities

Throughout your studies, you will be able to use a range of analytical and biomedical equipment including:

• Facility for Omics Research in Metabolism (FORM): We have recently secured £850k of capital funding to establish this new facility. This ultra-modern, innovative research facility will provide training in the new and emerging fields of genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics
• Scanning Electron Microscope: We mainly use this for medical research, exploring everything from human/animal tissue infrastructure to bacteria and viruses. It's also useful in vaccination testing
• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: This has a variety of uses including quantifying plasma levels of drugs and their metabolites. It is also used in the measurement of biogenic substances that help in diagnosis
• Gas Chromatography: We use this for various medical activities, including bioanalysis of body fluids, detecting pollutants and metabolites in serum, and for fatty acid profiling in microbes
• Fluorescent Microscope: You may use this to understand the cellular ultra-structure or subcellular organelles
• Atomic Absorption Spectrometry: Used to detect minute concentrations of toxic substances in blood
• Ion Chromatography: Used to determine many ions and substances in clinical and pharmaceutical samples
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): Used to identify molecules and for diagnostic purposes

We also have new molecular and cellular biology laboratories. These will help us conduct in vitro cell/tissue culture-based investigations, so we can understand the pathophysiology and establish effective treatment strategies against cancer, age-related disorders (such as dementia), diabetes, pre-eclampsia and more.

How you will learn

You'll be taught through a mixture of lectures, guest lecturers, workshops, practical sessions in the field and laboratory and tutorials. This course also uses a blended learning approach incorporated through online modules.

We also have strong links with employers including hospital trusts, research institutions and biomedical companies, leading to the option to complete a work placement based in an NHS hospital department or pharmaceutical setting, enabling you to put theory into practice in a real-world setting. Examples of organisations you might work with include: SureScreen Diagnostics, Queens Medical Centre, BioCity, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, Derby City Council, and South Derbyshire District Council.

An expert, research-active teaching team

All of our Biomedical Health teaching team are active human health researchers as well as experienced teachers. They will bring the latest findings and innovative thinking from the field to shape your learning experiences.

Our tutors are currently carrying out collaborative research in areas such as:

• Infectivity and pathophysiology of COVID-19 and other viral pandemics
• Air pollution and its effects on a growing placenta
• The link between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and head and neck cancer
• Tumour biology
• Obesity
• Diabetology
• Developmental physiology
• Antibody and Aptamer research