MSc Nanomedicine by Research / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Combining interdisciplinary teaching with cutting-edge laboratory-based research, our MSc in Nanomedicine by Research provides a robust scientific understanding of this highly competitive and fast-growing research area. This course is aligned with two of the main research beacons at Manchester: Advanced Materials and Cancer.

Nanomedicine uses nanotechnology to bring innovation to healthcare, for example encapsulating drugs and enabling more precise targeting with controlled release. It also has the potential to enable early detection and improve diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of many diseases including, but not limited to, cancer.

Currently, nanomedicine has hundreds of products under clinical trials, covering all major disease areas including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal and inflammatory disorders. Enabling technologies in all healthcare areas, it is already accounting for approximately 80 marketed products, ranging from nano-delivery systems (including mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV2) and pharmaceuticals to medical imaging, diagnostics and biomaterials.

This course has both taught and research components and is suitable for those with little or no previous research experience. You will learn practical skills through both taught units and a 25-week laboratory-based research project.

PhD with integrated master's

If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.

You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.

Aims

This course aims to enable you to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of the use of nanomaterials in medicine, with emphasis on nano-bio interactions, principles of nanosafety and nanotoxicology, the use of nanotechnology to improve detection and treatment of disease, nanomedicine-enhanced cancer immunotherapy, biomedical imaging, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. 
  • Develop critical appraisal skills through critical analysis of peer reviewed articles and reviews. You will be able to analyse current advances, issues and controversies in the field, critically analyse the data, formulate and defend scientific opinion and develop academic writing skills.
  • Perform an extensive lab-based project that will prepare for PhD study, specialist clinical training or a career in related industries, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology and tissue engineering sectors.

Teaching and learning

This course is structured around taught elements and laboratory-based research projects, with an emphasis on the research-based element.

You will gain hands-on laboratory experience through both the laboratory skills unit and research placements (nanomedicine focussed) at the University lasting for 25 weeks.

You will experience the interdisciplinary nature of the field during the course and gradually increase the depth and complexity of your research through the Introduction to Nanomedicine and Advances in Nanomedicine Research units.

Coursework and assessment

You will be assessed continually during the year through:

  • oral presentations;
  • short answer exam;
  • poster presentation;
  • group participation;
  • written reports;
  • a final dissertation;
  • assessment of research performance;
  • multiple choice questions and self-reflections

Each project is written up and assessed separately when submitted during the year.

Research placements will be assessed by a literature review, research proposal and a dissertation.

Your final research project will be assessed by submission of a dissertation (moderated, 60% weight), oral presentation and examination (15% weight), poster presentation and examination (15% weight) and an assessment of research performance (10% weight).

Course content for year 1

The course consists of four core compulsory taught units (4 x 15 credits) and two research projects:

  1. Introduction to Nanomedicine - 15 credits
  2. Advances in Nanomedicine Research - 15 credits
  3. Laboratory Skills Unit - 15 credits
  4. Research Methods Unit - 15 credits
  5. Research Project 1 (literature review and project proposal) - 30 credits
  6. Research Project 2 (research project) - 90 credits

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Introduction to Nanomedicine BIOL64511 15 Mandatory
Advances in Nanomedicine Research BIOL64611 15 Mandatory
Research Project 1 BIOL65611 30 Mandatory
Research Project 2 BIOL65622 90 Mandatory
Laboratory Skills BIOL66111 15 Mandatory
Research Methods MEDN69910 15 Mandatory

Facilities

The University of Manchester offers extensive library and online services to help you get the most out of your studies.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk