Biomedical Science – Reproduction and Development MRes

Students will select one 15-credit elective module to complement their core and specialist modules. These modules will provide essential research skills for interpreting and applying clinical and biomedical data while offering a broad understanding of research governance and ethics. Elective modules may be subject to availability.

• Clinical Trials (15 credits)

  This module introduces the principles and complexities of clinical trials, emphasizing their role in evidence-based research. You will learn about trial setup, management, validity, and real-world application through lectures, practical sessions, quizzes, and online courses. Early lectures cover foundational concepts, while subsequent lectures, presented by experts in the field (internal and external to City St George's), will focus on specific aspects of trial conduct. Pre-lecture readings and seminar-style Q&A sessions will encourage deeper engagement with research literature. A key component of the module is an online research ethics and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) course, required for clinical trial work, with certification upon completion. Students will document their work in a practical session notebook, which contributes to the ICA assessment. The final ICA task involves designing a clinical trial protocol to evaluate trial design, implementation, ethics, analysis, and reporting. The module concludes with expert presentations on landmark clinical trials, integrating key themes covered throughout the course.

• Comparative Health Systems (15 credits)

  Drawing on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of a health care system as “all organizations, people and actions whose primary intent is to promote, restore or maintain health” (WHO: 2007), this module explores the complexity of health system objectives, functions, and infrastructure. Although the WHO definition is necessarily broad, it highlights the diverse factors that influence health at systemic and policy levels. Throughout the module, students will examine the key questions and challenges involved in comparing different health policies and health systems. By investigating how various models address determinants of health, you will gain a deeper understanding of the strategies, structures, and outcomes that shape population health.

• Data Analysis Skills (15 credits)

  Modern biomedical research often involves vast datasets from genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, electronic health records, and imaging. This introductory module (delivered in Semester 1) equips students with the fundamental concepts and skills needed to manage, process, and interpret these large, complex datasets. This module will lay a foundation and prepare students for more specialized, data-based modules in Semester 2, such as Computational Biology and Population Health Research.

• Practical Data Analysis (15 credits)

  This module will enable you to develop skills in understanding, critically interpreting and extracting data. You will be taught appropriate qualitative and quantitative data analysis methodologies, and how to communicate and present results appropriately in plain English. You will learn about both quantitative and qualitative data. Topics covered include graphs and descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, tests, regression, and the practical collection of qualitative data using interviews and focus groups.

• Statistics (15 credits)

  This module provides an introduction to modern data analysis techniques and statistical approaches, equipping you with the skills to critically analyze quantitative data and draw meaningful conclusions for your research project. The focus is on understanding the language and logic of statistical investigation rather than complex formulas or calculations. You will develop confidence in interpreting and discussing statistical methods used in biomedical, healthcare, clinical research, and scientific literature.

• Dissertation module (105 credits)

  This is the main module of our MRes course, the Research Project provides an opportunity to engage in substantial data-driven research, primarily using lab-generated data, though some projects may involve meta-analyses of theoretical data. Students can choose from a diverse range of projects and work in a dynamic research environment alongside world-renowned researchers. There may be collaboration with PhD students and postdoctoral scientists within research groups that will offer valuable insight and hands-on experience over the course of your project Unlike many other courses, this module allows up to nine months of active research within a team, potentially involving clinical samples or working with hospital staff. The Research Project module will start in October and runs until July/August. Students will present a poster in July and submit a final dissertation in August.

Two core modules—Research Methods and Research Project Planning and Management (15 credits each) provide advanced training in laboratory and computer-based biomedical research, mainly in the autumn term. A specialist module (30 credits) tailored to each pathway prepares learners for in-depth research in their chosen field. To enhance critical thinking, student-led journal clubs run from October to March, offering the opportunity to critically appraise scientific papers with tutor guidance.

• Research methods (15 credits)

  This module looks at a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research study designs and approaches, their advantages and disadvantages. We focus on good research practice, designing studies using tools and approaches to minimise bias and maximise scientific rigour.

• Research Project Planning and Management (15 credits)

  This module prepares you for conducting and managing a research project and includes ethical, legal, safety and time management aspects of research. You will learn how to identify and appropriately address any ethical and legal issues in your project, as well as safety issues when working with hazardous substances, organisms or equipment. This will also include lectures on writing up scientific work.

• Reproduction and Development (30 credits)

  This pathway module begins exploring the science of reproduction and covers various aspects of women’s health, including normal sexual differentiation, endocrine disorders, hormonal control of fertility, pregnancy and contraception. It covers embryonic development and disease with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms and human congenital disorders. You will be introduced to experimental techniques, terminology, model organisms and the use of transgenic mouse technology. The module will also provide you with insight into how new sequencing technologies and ‘omics’ methodologies are helping to decipher the cellular mechanisms involved in reproduction and development. While studying this module, you will learn how to appraise and critically evaluate scientific papers, through a series of journal club sessions and presentations. This essential skill will guide your research strategies and objectives, as well as peer reviewing other researchers’ works in your specialist area, for example, reviewing manuscripts submitted for publication in scientific journals.