Medical Diagnostics MSc/PgDip

Postgraduate Prospectus

Suitable for both recent graduates and scientists, clinicians and healthcare professionals from industry and medicine who are looking to acquire a fundamental understanding of the key concepts, technologies and applications of medical diagnostics. Students will have a good degree in a science or engineering discipline, or appropriate experience.

Takes you on to a career within the exciting and expanding field of medical diagnostics, in companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Bayer and Siemens. The degree course is also good preparation for a PhD and a career in research, or for career development as a Biomedical Scientist.

You will be taught by leading academics who contribute to the Cranfield Health Partnership and have close professional contact with our hospital partners, researchers, healthcare providers and industry specialists.

Course description

Medical diagnostics is the study of the techniques and procedures involved in the screening, detection, diagnosis and monitoring of a human disease.

Technological advances, increased expectations for medicine, longer life expectancy and legal, ethical and economic factors are all playing a role in a multi-million pound industry being created around medical diagnostics.

Uniquely, our Medical Diagnostics MSc brings together biomedical and analytical science with production technology, business management, economics and ethics.

Students benefit from:

formal training support from key figures in industry, commerce and leading hospitals
a route to novel and innovative higher research (MPhil/PhD) which continues to drive medical diagnostics forward
hands-on experience in industry - we commit to providing a placement for all students who wish to carry out their research project in industry.

The Medical Diagnostics MSc is part of the Advanced Biosciences Programme.

Our Medical Diagnostics MSc is divided into three parts:

a formal taught component comprising ten modules
an integrating component
a four-five month research project and thesis.

Modules:

Biomedical Basis of Disease
Research Design and Methodology
Statistical Analysis and Interpretation
Diagnostic Methods I
Analytical Technology
Diagnostic Methods II - Molecular Methods
Translational Medicine
Business Principles
Diagnostic Methods III
Principles of Design and Production in the Diagnostics Industry

Research project

The individual project affords you the opportunity to gain excellent experience in industry. You can actively apply knowledge to real-life projects and situations, gaining contact with potential employers and practical experience in a highly competitive industry.

Entry requirements

1st or 2nd class UK Honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline. Where applicable, students must achieve a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 92. Our Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes courses offer pre-sessional training in English.

Duration

1 year full-time, 2-3 years part-time.

Start date

October.

Number of places

25.

Assessment

In-module assessment (essays, practical work, group projects), written examination papers, an integrating component (case studies), research project thesis, and oral presentation of thesis. The required pass mark is 50%.