Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicines MSc

Mode of delivery: Full time, on campus

Duration: 1 year 

Start date: September

Fees 2020: UK/EU students: £9,350 / International students: £18,900. Find out more about available scholarships and our 20% alumni discount. 

Entry requirements:

• We welcome applications from candidates interested in our course who have the skills and capability to excel. All candidates are considered on an individual basis based on their qualifications, experience, references and motivation. 
• Applicants must posses a good honours degree (lower second class honours degree with a minimum overall average of 55%) from a recognised university in a biological, biomedical or biochemistry based subject, or a related field.
• Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. English language test requirements may be waived where students’ undergraduate degree was studied in an English speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements. For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your country webpage.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine to repair diseased and damaged organs is one of the most crucial areas of research today. Through an increased understanding of stem cells, scientists are discovering new treatments and working towards curing numerous health conditions and diseases.

Our Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicines MSc course provides a high level of scientific knowledge so you gain an understanding of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine from the molecular to the whole system level.

Throughout this stem cell course you will:

• Develop a critical appreciation of recent scientific developments in these areas of modern biomedical sciences and their clinical and industrial application.
• Gain the necessary practical skills for further research and learning including PhD studies.
• Increase in laboratory competency as well as developing your professional and research skills through effective CV production and application and interview strategies that set you apart once you graduate.
• Gain in-depth knowledge via specialist modules that cover topics such as how immune systems interact with the application of stem cells and how stem cell and tissue engineering technologies are being employed and developed for drug development, screening and toxicology.
• Learn more about the involvement of ethical considerations in stem cell-based research and the application of regenerative medicines
• Develop an informed and critical appreciation of recent scientific developments in these areas of modern biomedical sciences and its clinical and industrial application

Modules

• Essential Laboratory Skills
• Professional development and research communication skills
• Introduction to cell and molecular biology
• Applied Biotechnology
• Stem Cell Biology and cellular differentiation
• Tissue regeneration
• Ageing and regenerative medicine
• Laboratory competency
• Research project.

You will encounter a variety of teaching and learning methods, including: 

• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• A research project, likely to be a laboratory-based project where you will collect and analyse your own data
• Some modules will include group work
• The core employability module will use visiting lecturers from industry to illustrate the potential employment avenues for graduates of this course. 

Assessment will vary depending upon the module and will include both examinations and continuous assessment through coursework.

In addition to the particular knowledge and skills that you will gain on these courses, you will also develop transferable skills such as presenting, team working, report writing, critical analysis and negotiating.

Teaching staff

The exceptional quality of research in the School of Life and Health Sciences (LHS) has been confirmed in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) results – with research in Allied Health Professions and Studies ranked 5th out of 97 UK higher education institutions. 94% of our research was rated as being internationally excellent or world leading.

Course Director: Dr Eric Hill

Key members of teaching staff:

• Dr Ann Vernallis 
• Dr Petra (Mariana) Hanga
• Dr Jill Johnson
• Dr Patricia Perez-Esteban

Graduates from this course are prepared for a research-focussed role in industry, including the developing clinical field of stem cell therapies of regenerative medicine, or academia. 

You can therefore expect to apply for roles in further research, in the form of a PhD or research assistant, or undertake a career in the commercial or clinical sector.

• Email us: ask@aston.ac.uk
• Call us: +44 (0)121 204 4910
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