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University MSc Courses

There are a range of courses in the UK leading to an MScs in Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Immunology that are open to graduates with good honours degrees in scientific subjects or to medical graduates. They differ in emphasis and organisation, but all generally aim to provide a basic grounding in the analytical, biochemical, physiological, pathological and clinical components of Clinical Biochemistry. By practical classes or apprenticeship, students are trained in the main practical techniques used in Clinical laboratories.

Clinical Biochemistry

University of Birmingham
This is a 2 year part time course that provides the academic component required by pre-registration Clinical Biochemists during training. The course is also attended by other Clinical Biochemists and Specialist Registrars in Chemical Pathology. The MSc consists of a taught component and project work that each make up 50% of the marks towards the award of the degree. The taught component is modular and delivered over six academic terms with nine training days per term. These are usually held on Fridays. It is necessary for students to pass a written examination at the end of year one to allow progression to year two. There is a further written examination at the end of year two on all modules taught over the two year period. The project component consists of a project, a project report (12,000-20,000 words), a viva voce examination and either one large (10,000 words) or two smaller (5,000 words each) dissertations.
Contact Dr Clare Ford
Email: clare.ford@rwh-tr.nhs.uk
Website www.wmtc.org.uk

University of London
This part-time, intercollegiate course extends over two years and is designed to provide a framework for the initial training of Pre-registration Clinical Biochemists as well as excellent background for other Clinical Biochemists, Biomedical Scientists and Specialist Registrars already in post. The course provides an excellent grounding for those individuals wishing to progress to the FRCPath in Clinical Biochemistry. Candidates should have a first or second class honours degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related subject, or hold a medical qualification registrable in the United Kingdom. Candidates without these qualifications may be considered providing they have relevant work experience. Applicants who are not on a recognised grade A training scheme will usually be expected to have at least one year’s experience in clinical chemistry, but well qualified candidates working in a clinical chemistry laboratory for less than one year will be considered. Candidates must hold posts in suitable laboratories for the duration of the course and must be in a position to attend lectures and seminars at a London medical school on Wednesday afternoons (2pm-7pm) during the university terms. Students will be registered as internal students of the University of London. The degree is awarded on the basis of examinations held at the end of the course, a project and assessment of the practical work set throughout the course.
Contact: Dr Gill Rumsby
Email: gill.rumsby@uclh.nhs.uk

University of Surrey
MSc COURSE IN CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY with MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
This long-established MSc programme is offered as both a full-time (one year) and a part-time block-release (two year) course option. The course is designed for medical, veterinary and science graduates who are either seeking employment or are already employed in hospital laboratories, biomedical research establishments, or in the pharmaceutical/diagnostic industries. The block-release course is suited to clinical biochemists who are employed as Pre registrant trainees within the National Health Service and Specialist Registrars in Chemical Pathology who are seeking a link to a formal training programme. The two-year course option is a part of the Biochemist Training Programme organised through the NHS Workforce Development Confederations by Regional Tutors. These trainees spend three academic terms, each lasting ten weeks, at the University of Surrey. The rest of the two-year period is given to structured laboratory training and a practical research project in the employing hospital biochemistry laboratory. Further details of the training posts are available at the beginning of this section. The MSc courses are also open to suitably qualified overseas students who will be required to produce documentary evidence of both proficiency in the English language and of financial support. The 12 MSc course ‘modules’ are Molecular Biology theory and practical (2), Biochemical Medicine (4), Analysis & Instrumentation (2), Clinical Endocrinology (1), Immunology (1), Biochemical Toxicology (1) and Management of Clinical Laboratories (1). Teaching on the MSc course includes lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions of selected analytical techniques, student oral presentations and journal clubs, a substantial research project, weekly clinical case presentations and laboratory medicine seminars. The one year, full-time variant of the MSc course consists of the same lecture courses provided to the block-release students with all practical work, including the research project, carried out at the University. The award of the MSc degree is based on the assessment of the work done throughout the course, a dissertation, two written final examination papers and an oral examination.
Contact: Dr Debra Skene or Mr Stephen P Halloran
Email: d.skene@surrey.ac.uk
Email: s.halloran@nhs.net

University of Manchester
The MSc course provides the framework for initial training required for Pre registrant Clinical Biochemists and is open to other Clinical Biochemists and Specialist Registrars already in post. This is a part-time course of two years’ duration, with one year being devoted to the teaching programme, the other to project work, thus allowing admission of new students each year. The course can also be taken on a full-time basis for completion in one year. The taught component consists of six modules over two semesters with site visits as appropriate. Project work of six months’ duration is considered an important component of the MSc. The project topic can be chosen from either fundamental or practically orientated aspects of Clinical Biochemistry. The aim is to provide direct experience of research with emphasis on project strategy, choice of methodology and subsequent organisation of scientific data. There is a written examination at the end of the six modules, and a viva voce examination. Candidates are required to submit a written thesis on their project work.
Contact: Dr PJ Padfield
Email: ppadfiel@fs1.ho.man.ac.uk
Website:www.hop.man.ac.uk/Biochem/MSc/MSCINFO.html

Medical Immunology

King's College London
The course offers scientists, clinicians and individuals in professions associated with medicine the opportunity to be brought up to date in basic and clinical immunology. The course is planned to meet the career needs of graduates in clinical, diagnostic or academic specialities and to be of value to those specialising in biotechnology or drug development. The course is approved for the core training requirements of specialtist registrars in Immunology and Allergy and for the training of NHS clinical scientists in Immunology and Histocompatibility and Genetics. First taught in 1984, the course is also designed to assist the academic and vocational studies of candidates for the FRCPath examinations in Immunology and for those working towards Certificates of Competence in Immunology. Candidates must normally be graduates in a branch of biological science, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry or pharmacy and must hold an appointment with a UK university, hospital or suitable institution for the duration of the course. The course is taught at the London University Schools associated with Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, St George's Hospital, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, University College and the Royal Free Hospitals, the Royal Brompton Hospital and the National Heart and Lung Institute of Imperial College and the National Blood Service at Colindale. This is a 2-year course, students attending one full day per week for 30-35 sessions running between late September and June of two successive academic years, and which include demonstrations and practical work. The next intake is in September 2008. Additionally each student is required to carry out and prepare a report on a laboratory research project within the field of Medical Immunology. The whole course extends over two calendar years.
Course Director: Professor Mark Peakman
Contact: Ann Gallacher
Email: ann.m.gallagher@kcl.ac.uk
Website:http://www.kcl.ac.uk/gsp08/programme/389