Bioscience

We offer a range of Masters degrees in the biomolecular sciences designed to prepare you for a career in modern biosciences. You can select to study either our broad-based MSc Bioscience course or a Masters degree in one of our specialist subject areas: biotechnology, human disease, infection and immunity, and plant science.

Masters degree options include:

• MSc Bioscience
• MSc Biotechnology
• MSc Human Disease and Therapy
• MSc Infection and Immunity
• MSc Plant Science and Biotechnology

All our Biomolecular Masters degrees are suitable for students wishing to undertake a higher research degree and for those who wish to enter employment in a higher capacity in industry or the public sector. All courses in the scheme offer:

• flexible training emphasising the interdisciplinary nature of modern biosciences
• specialist modules providing a strong theoretical grasp of biological science disciplines
• a practical introduction to cutting-edge techniques underpinning modern bioscience
• training in generic skills such as: scientific writing; graphics and data presentation; bioethics and bioenterprise
• individual research projects in a supportive academic environment within highly-equipped research laboratories

Students who wish to maintain a breadth in their training can experience a wide range of module options by selecting to study our MSc Bioscience programme. Alternatively, students who wish to gain more detailed experience and training in a specific area can select to study one of our specialist programmes instead.

This course offers:

• exciting contemporary topics in the areas of human disease, bioinformatics, biotechnology and plant science
• teaching delivered by top researchers, many world-class experts, who bring the latest cutting-edge research to their teaching and therefore, to your learning
• excellent career development opportunities with graduates moving into a wide range of exciting and challenging careers
• training in generic research skills such as scientific writing, graphics and data presentation, bioethics, bioenterprise and intellectual property rights
• opportunities to work on cutting-edge topics with leading researchers during your research project
• the opportunity to combine theoretical disciplines with ‘hands-on’ practical laboratory skills
• access to first-class teaching and research facilities
• the chance to study in a Faculty ranked 4th in the UK for research in biological sciences by the leading scientific journal ‘Nature’ based on the numbers of staff producing research that was “world leading" or "internationally excellent"
• access to international speakers from around the world through attendance at Faculty research seminar programmes
• opportunities to benefit from our strong employer connections supported by our employer engagement officer, including regular speakers from industry, government and scientific organisations.
• a flexible approach to suit individual needs
• outstanding personal development opportunities including our distinctive Leeds for Life scheme
• excellent preparation for a research degree
• membership of one the main centres for postgraduate teaching in the country, with around 7,800 postgraduate students from all over the UK and another 100 countries
• all the facilities and lifestyle opportunities of a major international university

Our broad-based MSc Bioscience course provides excellent training for students who wish to develop a broad scientific base from which to build their future careers. This degree allows you to select modules from a range of taught modules including ones associated with the different specialist options offered. This means you can study those modules that interest you the most and match your career aspirations.

This programme consists of core research training modules designed to equip students with the expertise necessary to work at the cutting-edge of a modern bioscience sector, including research planning exercises, methodologies underpinning contemporary bioscience, and an extended practical project providing hands-on practical experience in molecular biology techniques. Added to this is an independent research project in an area related to your course options. Specialist taught modules make up the remaining part of the programme and students may select from a broad range of modules (listed below).

The course is full-time and lasts 12 months with teaching activities broken into 3 parts:

• September-December (taught modules including a protein engineering laboratory project)
• January-March (taught modules and research project proposal)
• April-September (independent laboratory-based research project)

Students study a total of 180 credits of module comprising the following:

• 55 credits of compulsory core research training modules
• 85 credits of a compulsory research project
• 40 credits of taught specialist modules selected from a range of available taught modules

Compulsory Modules

• Research Planning and Scientific Communication
• Advanced Biomolecular Technologies
• Protein Engineering Laboratory Project
• Practical Bioinformatics
• Research Project Proposal and Research Project

Optional Modules 1 (choose 2)

• Advanced Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Solving Biological Problems with Computers
• Human Diseases
• Topics in Plant Science
• Molecular Diagnostics, Drug Delivery & Therapies
• Bioimaging

Optional Modules 2 (choose 2)

• Plant Biotechnology
• Detection, Treatment and Prevention of Infection
• Host-Parasite Interactions
• High Throughput Technologies
• Topics in Cancer Biology
• Human Toxicology

Is the course mainly practical or theoretical?

The course combines theoretical modules with practical skills training. 100 credits out of the total 180 credits that you study will be practical based modules and therefore the programme will provide you with substantial training in practical methods and technologies currently being used to advance the biological sciences. This is through a 15 credit laboratory-based mini-project and an 85 credit laboratory-based independent research project on a cutting edge topic related to your course options. Our teaching and assessment methods are designed to develop scientists who are able to think independently, solve problems, communicate effectively and demonstrate a high level of practical ability.

Example Research Projects

A selection of project titles offered previously:

• A gene-silencing strategy for targeting individual p38 MAP kinase subtypes in human cardiac fibroblasts
• Epithelial tissue engineering using acellular human amnion
• An investigation into the role of Lp(a) on human vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell function and its role in coronary artery bypass graft failure
• Developmental control in Caenorhabditis elegans
• Sleep behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster
• Developing a model system for assessing nanoparticle toxicity
• Crystal structure determination of a mutant protein
• The effect of ligand binding on the mechanical strength of proteins
• Is the adipose tissue renin-angiotensin system the link between obesity, hypertension and insulin resistance?
• Recombinant expression and purification of human aldehyde oxidase for structural studies
• Detecting skeletal microdamage by light microscopy and MicroCT
• Alterations in 5HT1A receptors in cortical and subcortical areas following cerebral ischemia
• Reconstruction of 3-D cardiac structure and fibre orientation from Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Identifying binding partners for the CCCH Zinc finger protein NHN1 (ZC3H18)

Normally a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, but relevant experience may be taken into account.English language requirementsIf English is not your first language, you must have evidence of an English qualification or other proficiency in English, equivalent to GCSE grade C or above to gain entry to the University of Leeds. The two most commonly used qualifications are IELTS and TOEFL.Minimum English Language requirements for all postgraduate degrees in the Faculty of Biological Sciences are:TOEFL (internet-based) - a total score of 92, with no less than: 21 in listening and reading, 22 in writing, and 23 in speakingIELTS - score of 6.5 overall (with not less than 6.0 in any component)PTE: Pearson Test of English Academic: an overall score of 64, with not less than 60 in each of the four skills. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test: 92 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.

• Fee Scholarships

• Santander Scholarships

Eligibility: UK/EU students
Closing date: 9 May 2014
Value: £5,000 contribution towards academic fees
Please note you only need to complete one scholarship application form to be considered for both the Fee and Santander Scholarships

• Lhasa Scholarships

Eligibility: Self-funded UK/EU students
Closing date: 28 July 2014
Value: £4,000 towards academic fees
Complete the Scholarship Application form here to apply

• The Faculty of Biological Sciences Masters International Scholarships

Eligibility: Self-funded International students
Closing date: Applicants must hold a place on a programme for September 2014 and be fully registered by 1 December 2014
Value: £2,000 towards academic fees

• University of Leeds Alumni Tuition Fee Bursary

Eligibility: Self-funded Leeds University Alumni
Closing date: Ongoing
Value: The University will pay 10% of your tuition fee

• Tetley & Lupton Taught Postgraduate Scholarships

Eligibility: International students
Cloing date: 3 February 2014