MSc Human Disease and Therapy
Human Disease and Therapy Masters overview
This biomedical Masters degree provides advanced training in the molecular and cellular basis of a range of human diseases and highlights current and new treatment strategies. There is a strong emphasis on the latest molecular, genetic and cellular approaches currently being used to understand human disease and to develop novel forms of treatment.
Some of the topics you will cover during the programme are:
- Human genetic disorders, focusing especially on cytogenetic analyses and neurodegeneration
- A range of single-gene and multi-factorial disorders including cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, diabetes, asthma and cancer
- Aetiology, pathogenesis and laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases
- Novel treatment approaches including gene therapy, stem cell therapy and anti-microbial vaccine and drug design
This programme is suitable for students wishing to progress to a higher research degree (PhD) and for those who wish to enter employment in a higher capacity in industry or in the public sector.
Why choose to study human disease and therapy at Leeds?
This biomedical course offers:
- exciting contemporary topics such as stem cell therapy, gene therapy and a range of diseases – including cytogenetic abnormalities, cancer, neurodegeneration and diabetes
- 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
Entry Requirements
Title |
MSc Human Disease and Therapy |
|
Qualification |
Master of Science (MSc) |
|
Duration |
12 months full-time |
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| 2012 entry requirements | Normally a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, but relevant experience may be taken into account | |
| English language requirements | If English is not your first language, please check our minimum English language requirements. | |
| Start date | September annually (one intake only) | |
| Admissions policy | Download the University taught postgraduate admissions policy | |
Admissions enquiries |
Postgraduate Taught Admissions |
|
| Department | Faculty of Biological Sciences Graduate School | |
Programme leader |
Professor Michelle Peckham | |
Human Disease & Therapy team profiles |
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Course brochure |
Course Structure
The MSc Human Disease and Therapy course consists of compulsory 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 modern bioscience, and an extended practical project intended to give the students experience with the techniques used in molecular biology.
Added to this is an independent research project in an area related to human disease and therapy which provides substantial subject-specific training. Specialist human disease and therapy taught modules make up the remaining part of the programme
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.
The programme is full-time and lasts 12 months, with teaching activities broken down into three parts:
- September-December (taught modules )
- January-March (taught modules and research project proposal)
- April-September (research project)
Students study a total of 180 credits worth of modules comprising of the following:
- 55 credits of compulsory core research training modules
- 85 credits of a compulsory research project modules
- 40 credits of taught specialist human disease and therapy modules
Module descriptions are given below.
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 an area of human disease and therapy.
How is work taught and examined?
We use a wide variety of teaching methods on our programmes, including project work, lectures, practicals, tutorials and workshops. The work is assessed mainly through continuous coursework submission and not formal exams. We utilise a wide range of assessment types including problem solving, data analysis, oral and poster presentations and extended writing such as literature reviews, scientific papers and dissertations.
Are there different classes of degrees?
Degrees can be awarded with "Distinction" (for average programme scores that are 70% or above), "Merit" (for average programme scores between 60-69%) and "Pass" (for average programme scores between 50-59%).
Compulsory Modules
Bioscience Core Skills 1 (Transferable)
This module introduces a range of generic skills that underpin successful achievement in a wide range of future career programmes. It covers three key areas; communication skills (written, oral, visual), personal effectiveness and continuing professional development (teamwork, bioethics and career planning) and commercial awareness and enterprise (enterprise, business finance, IPR and patents). This module is delivered through a series of formal lectures, interactive workshops and discussion groups. External lecturers from legal and commercial environments deliver some of these sessions, providing you with an opportunity to engage with situational contexts derived from real-life examples.
Credits: 10
Bioscience Core Skills 2 (Scientific)
Credits: 10
Bioscience Core Skills 3 (Modern Bioscience Tools)
This module provides an overview of a range of modern techniques and methodologies that underpin contemporary biological sciences. These include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), site-directed mutagenesis and sequencing, protein expression, chromatographic techniques, x-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), bioimaging, microarrays, atomic force microscopy, proteomics, isolation and use of stem cells, phylogenetics and flow cytometry. The techniques lectures are complemented with demonstrations of a range of research facilities and there are data analysis tutorials linked to four of these sessions. In addition, students attend the Faculty research seminars which are delivered by internationally-renowned speakers and attend the annual Faculty PhD symposium.
Credits: 20
Bioscience Core Skills 4 (Practical Application)
Credits: 15
Research Project Proposal and Research Project
The research component of the programme comprises approximately half of the degree programme and allows you to undertake a high quality experimental project on a topic related to your course options. This will be original, innovative work that is currently being undertaken in the Faculty and there may be opportunities for projects to be taken outside of the Faculty. You will be assigned a research project supervisor who will support and guide you through your project. In the case of students registered on the Bioinformatics and computational biology programme, the research project will be computer-based. For students registered on all other MSc Bioscience programmes, the research project will be laboratory-based. Overall, you will receive extensive training in experimental design, the practical use of advanced techniques and technologies, data analysis and interpretation as well as substantial subject-specific knowledge through this project. You will communicate your research findings through a written dissertation, orally and in poster format presented at the annual MSc poster symposium.
Credits: 85
Human Diseases
Credits: 20
Novel Therapies
Credits: 10
Topics In Cancer Biology
Credits: 10
Example Research Projects
A selection of project titles offered previously applicable to this area are:
- Determining how mistakes in V(D)J recombination trigger lymphoid cancers
- Proteolytic processing of the prion protein
- Stem Cell Therapy: the investigation of cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro to inform mathematical remodelling
- Targeting the functions of the Human Papilloma Virus 16 oncoproteins with RNA aptamers
Control of gene expression in vascular disease - SCN1A sodium channel and epilepsy
- Angiotensin II Receptor signalling in heart
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Cell Death following Photodynamic Therapy
- Genetics of susceptibility to mucosal leishmaniasis
- Translational Regulation of Estrogen Receptor β in Breast Carcinogenesis
- Identification of Melatonin Polymorphisms In Relation To Vascular Disease
Background reading
We assume that all students undertaking our MSc programmes will have strong background knowledge in molecular biology. If you have limited molecular biology background then it is essential that you undertake some preparatory reading prior to your arrival in Leeds.
We recommend the following molecular biology textbook:
Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Roberts, K., Walter, P. (2002) Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th Edn. Garland Science.
Its content is available freely online at the following web address:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=mboc4
It is essential that at a minimum you are familiar with content of the following sections:
Part I - Introduction to the cell
- Cells and genomes
- Cell chemistry and biosynthesis
- Proteins
Part II - Basic Genetic Mechanisms
- DNA and chromosomes
- DNA replication
- From DNA to protein
- Control of gene expression
Part III - Methods
- Manipulating proteins, DNA and RNA
- Visualizing cells
Another excellent introductory textbook to molecular biology you should consult is:
Brown, T.A. (2010) Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis. 6th Edn. Blackwell Publishing.
Students who would like additional reading specific to their specialist programme of interest, please e-mail Megan Blackburn (m.blackburn@leeds.ac.uk)
Visit the Studying with us pages for an overview of the Faculty of Biological Sciences Graduate School.
Please be aware that course details do change from time to time. ...
... If in doubt, please contact us to verify course content and availability. Whilst the University endeavours to ensure that the information on this website is accurate at the date of publication it does not accept liability for any inaccuracies. The University reserves the right to change or cancel its courses or services at any time without liability even after students have registered at the University. The University's contract with its students does not confer third party benefits for the purposes of Contracts (Right of Third Parties) Act 1999.
Fees and Funding
What does it cost?
The cost of a postgraduate degree varies by course; you will get details of your fees with your offer letter.
| UK / EU student fees 2012 - 13 | |
|---|---|
| MSc Bioscience | £7,500 |
| MSc Bioinformatics and Genomics | £7,000 |
| MSc Biotechnology | £7,500 |
| MSc Human Disease and Therapy | £7,500 |
| MSc Infection and Immunity | £7,500 |
| MSc Plant Science and Biotechnology | £7,500 |
| International Student fees 2012 - 13 | |
| MSc Bioscience | £16,200 |
| MSc Bioinformatics and Genomics | £16,200 |
| MSc Biotechnology | £16,200 |
| MSc Human Disease and Therapy | £16,200 |
| MSc Infection and Immunity | £16,200 |
| MSc Plant Science and Biotechnology | £16,200 |
The academic fee covers tuition and exam costs as well as membership of the students' union. International students will pay a higher fee than UK students as the fees for UK and European Union (EU) students are subsidised by the UK government, but international students can get get financial help from international scholarships. See also Biological Sciences International Scholarships.
Financial help
The majority of our students are self-funded, or funded by their employer or national government. However, several additional sources provide either fully-funded or part-funded scholarships, both for UK and for overseas applicants. Postgraduate scholarships are available to international, UK and EU students and you may be eligible.
If you are experiencing severe hardship you could get help with your living expenses from the Access to Learning Fund, after you have applied for all other available means of support, but please note that residency conditions do apply.
When to pay
Fees must be paid in full before you can register as a postgraduate student, unless you will be paying for yourself. If you are self-supporting you can pay fees in two instalments, the first payable at registration.
If you are supported by your government, employer, or other sponsor, you should provide a letter from them addressed to the University, confirming that the fees will be paid directly. Sponsors cannot pay by instalments.
The information provided is for general guidance purposes only. The University believes the information provided is accurate at the time of publication. The University cannot accept liability for any inaccuracies.
Bioscience Careers
Excellent career prospects
The strong research element combined with the specialist and generic skills training of the postgraduate Bioscience degrees equips our graduates for a wide range of careers and is internationally recognised.
A substantial proportion of our graduates undertake PhDs either at Leeds or elsewhere, whilst others enter employment in diverse posts ranging from bioscience-related research through to scientific publication, teacher training, health and safety and pharmaceutical market research. Examples of posts held by recent MSc Bioscience graduates include:
- PhD positions in the UK, USA and overseas e.g. at the Max Planck Institute, Germany
- Research post at Harvard School of Public Health, Botswana
- Trainee Cytogeneticist, UK
- Commissioning Editor/Scientific Publishing, UK
- Research Fellow, National Centre for Biological Sciences, India
- Clinical Researcher, Kent and Medway Cancer Network and NHS Trust, UK
- Research Technician, University of Warwickshire/University of Oxford, UK
- Graduate Medical Degree, UK
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education, UK
- Trainee Embryologist, UK
- Research Assistant, Qatar National Research Fund, Qatar
- Sypol, Health and Safety Services, UK
- Research Executive, Adelphi International Research, UK
- Biopharmaceutical Experimental Officer, Covance, UK
PhD in Leeds
The Faculty offers a wide range of postgraduate research opportunities. Browse our online database to find out about our research staff and current research interests and visit our research news bulletin for all the latest research stories. 
Alumni Profiles
Chelsea Brain (MSc Bioscience 2010) secured a position as a Doctoral Student Researcher with Newcastle University and Scottish Bioenergy, a university spin-out company in Newcastle. This allows her to not only use her bioscience skills, but also to be involved on the business side of things too.
Careers support and personal development
University of Leeds Careers Centre
The University of Leeds has its own specialist careers centre to help students. In 2007 around 450 employers and over 13,000 students took part in the Career Centre's varied programme of events. The Centre can help students to:
- plan what to do after university
- attend careers fairs and employer presentations
- write a CV
- improve job applications
- look for work experience
- find vacancies
Alumni Mentoring Network
Registered students have access to our Alumni Mentoring network. Networking is one of the most effective ways to find out more about different career opportunities. In an increasingly competitive employment market it is vital to be well-informed and there really is no substitute for talking to people who have first hand experience of the work that interests you. Leeds Alumni Mentoring Network gives students the chance to make contact with Leeds alumni (graduates) to explore career options, gain tips on entry into specific careers and receive supportive advice on developing your career plans. Find out more about our alumni.
Leeds for Life
Our Leeds for Life scheme helps all students to recognise and develop the qualities they are gaining from the whole of their University of Leeds experience - both from their course and the huge range of co-curricular opportunities on offer. We want Leeds students to go out into the world and make a difference, in whatever field they choose. We believe that the research-led education at Leeds gives our students the confidence and skills to do just that.
Personal Tutors
All Masters students are assigned a personal tutor, whom they meet in timetabled individual meetings to discuss their progress and personal development .
Careers resources
- Search jobs in science, research, academic & related employment in the UK & abroad.
- Useful information for graduates covering a wide range of sectors and occupations.
- Information and profiles on jobs in the UK and overseas.
The UK Centre for Bioscience based at the University of Leeds also offer some useful advice for students with a biosciences degree. Download their 'A Bioscience degree - why and what next?' guide.
Developing your employability skills
We work closely with a variety of employers to ensure that our students and graduates are well-equipped to successfully compete in the global bioscience and wider employment markets, as well as academia.
We offer our students various opportunities:
- Industrial projects
- Industry-relevant courses
- Industrial advisers and speakers
- Networking opportunities
Who we work with
We have a proactive Industrial Advisory Board who give up their time to advise us on what they look for in graduates and on employability related skills within our programmes.
We collaborate with a range of different organisations in the public and commercial sectors. Our commercial collaborators include larger multinational organisations to smaller to medium sized enterprises, and University of Leeds spin-out companies.
Many of these are represented on our Industrial Advisory Board.
We work with...
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Ernst and Young
- The Food and Environment Research Agency
- The Health Protection Agency
- MedImmune
- Thermofisher Scientific
- Hays Life Sciences
- European Bioinformatics Institute
- Smaller University spin-out companies, such as Lumora
Industrial projects
Some of our partners also offer MSc research projects in their organisations. Students completing projects in industry are able to gain valuable work experience, develop their commercial awareness and build their network of contacts.
This year, some of our students are completing their research projects in organisations such as the Food and Environment Research Agency and the Health Protection Agency for their research projects.
Industry-relevant courses
Employers advise on and input directly into our MSc Bioscience course content, ensuring our courses are relevant to industry as well as academia. This gives our students the knowledge, skills, qualities and experiences employers tell us they are looking for.
Industrial advisers and speakers
Graduate employers also advise and teach on MSc modules either by joining our Industrial Advisory Board and/or delivering one-off lectures, workshops and practical demonstrations. Employers also contribute 'real world' case studies, work-based learning examples and problems. As a result, students are able to relate their learning to the wider context of the bioscience industry. Employers also provide valuable career development advice to students.
Example employer lectures...
- Lumora: Molecular diagnostics for low resource settings
- MedImmune: Topics in cancer biology
- Thermofisher Scientific: Molecular allergology diagnostics - the future of allergy diagnosis
- The Food and Environmental Health Agency: The appliance of molecular diagnostics technologies in plant health
Networking opportunities
Employers meet with students on campus at dedicated networking events. Visiting employers often advise about job vacancies and the types of new recruits that their organisation is looking for. They also provide insider tips on the skills, knowledge and competences required to enter their respective careers/organisations.
The annual bioscience careers fair
Representatives from multi-national bioscience employers attend our bioscience careers fair, including Croda, GlaxoSmithKline and Unilever. University careers advisors also provide students with one-to-one advice on topics such as improving their CVs and securing future job interviews. This gives students the opportunity to practice their networking skills and learn about future career avenues that might be open to them.
Industry visits
We arrange industrial worksite and research institute visits, to help our students find out how their knowledge and skills can be practically transferred into the wider world of work. Students use these opportunities to build their own networks and learn more about future career avenues that are open to them. MSc Bioinformatics & Genomics students have the opportunity to visit the European Bioinformatics Institute to find out about the research work that goes on there and in Europe, and about potential PhD and job opportunities in their field in the future.
Bioscience News
Faculty research news:
- A new generation of biological scaffolds
- Findings provide new therapeutic route for rare kidney disease
- New use for old drugs in treating hepatitis C
- New way bacterium spreads in hospital
- UK team reveals all three structures of single transporter protein
- Potential new drug target to combat Kaposi’s Sarcoma
- Africa College: tackling global food security
- Disease diagnosis in just 15 minutes
Browse online biological sciences research news bulletin...
Biotechnology research and innovation across the University of Leeds
- Africa College Partnership: major issues related to the relationship between agriculture, human nutritional health and sustainability
- "Impact" magazine online for biotechnology news
- Find out how University of Leeds researchers are looking at the big challenges facing society
