Pathological Sciences

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Normally this course is for scientists working in hospital pathology laboratories and bioscience graduates wanting a career in pathology. Our Faculty of Health and Wellbeing runs it in association with the University of Sheffield. You enrol with us but receive tuition at both universities.

You gain advanced level knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of pathology, with particular reference to the underlying cellular processes that lead to disease and methods of disease diagnosis.

As well as studying the scientific basis of general pathology you also choose one specialist subject from

* cellular pathology
* medical microbiology
* haematology
* transfusion science
* clinical immunology
* biochemistry.

Your work focuses on the in vitro diagnosis of disease. The postgraduate diploma consists of the taught parts of the MSc course including

* biology of disease
* analytical techniques in disease diagnosis
* recombinant DNA technology related to medicine
* two specialist subject modules
* research methods*
* MSc students also take a research project

*We run this module as a three day short course in the first semester.

Full-time students carry out the project during the period February-July of year one.

Part-time students do the project in the workplace in year two. They also attend three project days during that year, when the progress of the project is assessed.
You can also take individual modules for continuing professional development. We consider your application on merit.

Core modules

* recombinant DNA technology in relation to medicine
* biology of disease
* research methods
* analytical techniques in disease diagnosis
* critical review of you chosen specialist subject

Plus two modules of the same specialism from

* cellular pathology
* clinical biochemistry
* haematology
* clinical immunology
* medical microbiology
* transfusion science

You normally do your research project in your employing laboratory on a topic agreed with you, your employer and the course team.

You write up your research project as a report of around 10,000 words.

Associated careers

Graduates are well-placed to apply for new positions and to seek promotion in NHS hospital pathology laboratories, or to work in medical research related to one of the pathological specialities.

Graduates also gain employment in universities and hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry and government research agencies.

Assessment

We assess year one by written examinations in January, April and June and continuous assessment including the critical review module.

We assess the research project (year one full-time, year two part-time) by internal and external examiners and may include an oral examination.

Normally one of the following * an honours degree from a UK university, or the CNAA, or an equivalent overseas degree in a relevant subject. This should normally include a significant content of mammalian biochemistry and modern molecular biology. * a professional qualification of equal standing to the above, for example MIBiol by examination, FIMLS We also expect you to have at least six months´ experience of working in a pathology laboratory.We normally expect part-time applicants to be in relevant employment.Non-native English speakers must also be proficient in English, typically shown by IELTS level 6.0 or 235 on TOEFL or equivalent. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B) IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.