Maternal and Fetal Health MRes

Students will enjoy an exceptional teaching and learning experience, an opportunity to participate in high quality research at an early career stage and contribute to public-domain research output. They are encouraged to develop ambitious career aspirations in the clinical and laboratory sciences.

• Opportunity for research experience at the clinical-scientific interface
• Gain theoretical knowledge and an understanding of human pregnancy
• Hands-on experience of cutting-edge technologies applicable to pregnancy and research, and transferable to other areas of medical research
• Six-month research project providing students with an opportunity for in-depth analysis of a specific area of pregnancy research
• Attending seminars in the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre and undertaking the tutorial series gives students a grounding in a wide range of pregnancy related issues
• Provides training and experience in scientific writing and developing a research proposal

Maternal and fetal health research addresses the causes, diagnosis and treatments of disease in pregnancy. The Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre aims to find solutions through a holistic approach to understanding, managing and treating diseases affecting mothers and babies, and through training the next generation of researchers in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Diseases of pregnancy are major causes of mortality and morbidity in mothers and infants. Knowledge of causative mechanisms is poor, while treatments are conspicuously lacking. 60,000 women suffer pre-eclampsia (PE) world-wide per year, with many deaths. Following a pre-eclamptic pregnancy, a woman is at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. The lowest weight babies die; those that survive suffer neonatal illnesses, developmental delay and much higher risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic ailments later in life. Metabolic settings established in the womb are highly influential in determining lifetime health profile.

Obesity is increasing and is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes and programming effects later on.Teenage pregnancy is higher in the UK than any other European country and is associated with high rates of FGR. Stillbirth occurs in 1 in 200 pregnancies, amounting to 17 a day in the UK, mainly of unknown cause.

A series of lectures and training workshops that provide an introduction to research and transferable skills such as experimental design and statistical assessment, IT skills, epidemiology, health and safety, scientific writing and communication and career development.

Practical Skills unit.

Training in a range of basic laboratory techniques applicable to medical research. Workshops include cell culture, histology and immunohistochemistry and molecular biology. Training in recording laboratory methods and analysis of results is provided.

Techniques workshops

These workshops provide training and experience in specialised laboratory techniques applicable to pregnancy research, including placental nutrient transport, myography and placental sampling. The format will be small group learning, hands-on in the laboratory with an experienced tutor. Students prepare a laboratory write-up documenting the approach, methods, results, interpretation and area of application.

Tutorial course unit

Here students have an opportunity to learn about and discuss research in MFH and the clinical problems and basic science areas that are central to the discipline. Tutorials use a range of teaching styles, including taught seminars, debates and critiques of research papers. Assessment will be group oral presentations, leaflets, quizzes or written reports.

Literature review and research proposal

In weeks 1-2, students select a topic from a list of available options and meet with their supervisor. They then spend 13 weeks researching this area in depth, write a review of the current state of knowledge and how this was arrived at, and prepare a research proposal.

Research project

Students undertake a 27-week laboratory-based research project, formulating and then addressing a problem that has emerged from their literature project. Results are presented orally as 'work in progress' to an expert audience. A proposal for follow-up research is produced. This is the largest component of the course.

Programme committee:

• Professor JD Aplin (Programme co-Director)
• Dr Rebecca Lee Jones (Programme co-Director)
• Dr Ian Crocker
• Dr Lynda harris
• Dr Karen Forbes
• Dr Alexander Heazell

Academic entry qualification overview: The course is open to medical or science graduates and intercalating medical students. Normally a BSc (1st or 2:1) or MBChB or equivalent is expected from a British university in an appropriate biological or medical subject.

Overseas students require a high class honours degree or equivalent in a biomedical subject from a high-ranking university.

For MBChB students, the minimum criterion for admission is satisfactory achievement in years 1-4 of the undergraduate medical programme with no failure at any examination, and research motivation. Applicants with other professional (including midwifery), or research-related, experience will be considered.

English language:

Candidates whose first language is not English require a minimum of:

• IELTS 6.5

Some English language test results are only valid for two years. Your English language test report must be valid on the start date of your course

All applicants must apply online and the following supporting documents should be provided to support the application:

• Two academic references, signed and dated within the last 6 months
• Two referee report forms using Referee report form (PDF, 28KB), signed and dated within the last 6 months
• Photocopies of degree certificates and official transcripts of previous study (where available)
• Evidence of English language ability (if appropriate). Please note if any documents are in a language other than English, official translations need to be provided
• Plus, a CV and a short statement of purpose, including information on:
  • Why you want to undertake this course of study
  • Any relevant past experience and what you think you can bring to the course
  • How this course fits into your future career plans
  • Any other information you think relevant to your application

International Students: Please upload a copy of your current valid passport showing the photograph page with your application.

Without these documents a decision cannot be given.

Please upload any supporting documents with the online application. If unable to do this, submit the application online and either post or email  copies of the documents separately to:

Inez Phillips

School of Clinical and Laboratory Sciences

School of Biomedicine

First Floor, Office 1.485

Stopford Building

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9PPT

Tel: +44 (0)161-275 5613

Email: inez@manchester.ac.uk

The MFH research group moved into a custom-built facility in summer 2009, from where the course is delivered.

• PhD research
• Clinical career options including:
  • Obstetrics
  • Gynaecology
  • Maternal and fetal medicine
  • Child health

Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences

See: About the Faculty

• MFH Research Centre: Research Performance Indicator Report (2007) PDF

Contact name: John Aplin / Ian Crocker

Telephone: +44 (0)161 276 6487/6973

Facsimile: +44 (0)161 701 6971

Email: john.aplin@manchester.ac.uk

Website: www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/programmes/researchmasters/mfh/