MSc Nanomedicine by Research

University of Manchester

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.

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.

Career opportunities

After the course, most students continue their studies and register for a PhD in a related field of research. However, the course is also of value to students wishing to progress in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sectors or go into specialist clinical training.