Postgraduate Molecular Biology 2016-2017

A series of lectures, tutorials and a workshop delivered by currently research active staff. Topics concern cutting edge areas of immunology research and how these relate to the development of disease.

The course Workshop involves students delivering a poster presentation on a course-related topic, providing the opportunity for students to practice presentation skills before undertaking the Masters Research project later in the academic year.

A course containing a series of lectures describing 'latest-methods and discoveries' in areas of bioinformatics and functional genomics including transcriptomics, proteomics, and DNA sequence analysis

Contains an extended research practical; you carry out computer analysis of transcriptome datasets to understand how cells respond to starvation stress, and write up in research paper format.

Contains a series of in-depth workshops that teach the principles and practice of DNA and protein sequence analysis. 

This is an introductory course in molecular biology basics for all taught postgraduate programmes with a molecular biology content. It aims to ensure that PG taught course students, with diverse educational backgrounds, on programmes with a substantial molecular biology content, have an adequate knowledge of the basic concepts and techniques of molecular biology. There is a practical element with this course.

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of how behaviours (e.g. smoking, diet, medication adherence, etc) can protect, promote, risk or damage health; the key drivers of (un)healthy behaviours; and techniques to change health behaviours.

Medical Mycology focuses on pathogenic fungi and the diseases caused by them. Areas explored in this course include the fungi which cause disease, the clinical problems, and the host response (both in health and disease). The course, which is taught by medical mycology experts in the Aberdeen Fungal Group will include background lectures, research seminars and practicals.

Why do some microorganisms cause disease, yet others don’t?  This course explores host-pathogen interactions from bacterial, fungal, parasite, viral and host perspectives in a lecture series, examining virulence factors, host defenses and immune responses.  Students develop a detailed knowledge of one specific host-pathogen interaction through self-directed study and review of a specific disease selected by the student.  In addition, workshops are held which discuss experimental design for analysis of host-pathogen interactions, virulence and novel drug treatments.  The material on the course will enable students to develop and refine their understanding of the roles of host and pathogen in infectious disease.

A course describing the wide range of ways in which genome sequencing has transformed our understanding of medicine and human disease

A course placing a high value on its teaching and learning; all lecture material supported by workshops – your chance to team-work, ask questions and enjoy the science.

Contains a material detailing a range of examples of genome science and its applications in medicine, ranging from the human genome (genome-wide association studies) to microbial (pathogen genome sequencing). 

A course that makes wide use of the literature, allowing you to read about and understand the latest methods in genome science

A course that leads you through research-level study of your subject through study of a range of areas of the science literature

An introduction to the subject of your summer research project through the writing of an extended essay on the subject of your forthcoming research project.

The course provides an opportunity to study advanced science concepts led by an experienced member of academic staff.

The genetic basis of self/non-self discrimination underlies all immune responses and can influence disease susceptibility at the level of both individual and populations. This course addresses this topic through lectures from research active experts in the main areas covered.

The course Workshop involves students delivering a poster presentation on a course-related topic, providing the opportunity for students to practice presentation skills before undertaking the Masters Research project later in the academic year.

​​The extended research project in medical mycology is 6 month research project carried out on pathogenic fungi and/or fungal immunology. Projects will be based within the Aberdeen Fungal Group and students will have the opportunity to choose from a selection of offered projects.