Chemistry MRes

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Course structure

The Chemistry MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. The course is structured to include a significant research component which you will undertake throughout the course. In addition, a series of supporting taught modules further enrich your learning. 

To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits, 40 credits from taught and subject-specific modules and 140 credits through the completion of the research project.

The research project is central to the course and allows you to work at the forefront of the discipline as you advance your knowledge of research methods and chemical principles. You design your own project under the supervision of one or more members of the Chemistry Research Group.

Syllabus

Modules

Core modules

• Techniques in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Analysis

  In this module, delivered as series of laboratory and computational classes, you will gain a range of experimental techniques in chemical and pharmaceutical analysis. Featured techniques could include differential scanning calorimetry, high pressure liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

• Current Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences

  This module will be delivered via a series of presentations on current research by university staff, external speakers and students. This will be supplemented by seminar discussions of the work presented and related material (journal club format). Students will take a leading role in these discussions, taking turns to facilitate and discuss material. You will be expected to evidence your literature research with a portfolio of annotated research articles.

• MRes Research Project

  During this module you will carry out a detailed independent investigative research project within a relevant academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice. You will develop advanced skills in project planning, data generation and analysis, critical analysis of scientific literature, and written and oral presentation to the expected level of a professional scientist.

Options*

• Applied Nucleic Acid Biochemistry

  This module provides you with an understanding of modern nucleic acid-based techniques and how these can be applied in the laboratory with respect to human disease. You will study basic molecular biology techniques including cloning into simple vectors, gene expression and selectable markers, and learn about manipulation and detection of nucleic acid and protein and the concepts and applications of genomics and bioinformatics. You will also undertake a mini project.

• Omics for Diseases: Theory, Practice and Applications

  This module covers the theory, practice and application of omics at the genomic, proteomic and metabolomic level. You will learn about the types of omics currently on the market and the use of omics technologies in basic research, medicine and pharmaceutical sciences for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases. You will gain hands-on experience with genomics and proteomics datasets and at the end of the module present a poster discussing recent advances in omics.

• Biological Membranes: Drug Targets and Disease

  As many healthcare issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer are associated with altered lipid composition, drugs need to cross lipid membranes to reach their target. This module will provide you with an overview of the structure and physiology of biological membranes linked with current research and theory and develop your understanding of the role biological membranes play in health and disease. You will also study the experimental techniques used to analyse biological membranes.

• Monitoring Signalling Molecules in Neuroscience

  This module provides you with an overview of signalling mechanisms and how they may be altered through pharmacological intervention, ageing and disease. You will explore the theory, capabilities, limitations and applications of the techniques used in monitoring signalling molecules in vivo and in vitro, including amperometry, fast scan cyclic voltammetry and microdialysis. You will also learn to understand, interpret and critically evaluate the latest scientific literature in this field.

• Applied Protein Biochemistry

  Involving a mini project, this module provides you with a theoretical and practical understanding of how modern techniques in the fields of protein production and analysis can be applied in a variety of laboratory settings. You will look at recombinant protein induction and purification techniques, including sonication and metal ion-agarose affinity column use, as well as the analysis of proteins by SDS-PAGE and Bradford assays for protein concentration. You will also study spectrophotometric assays of activity in normal and mutant proteins.

• Advanced Pharmaceutical Analysis

  This module will give you an insight into the key techniques used in pharmaceutical analysis and how they are used in the quality assurance of pharmaceuticals. You will learn about the theory, capabilities, limitations and applications of the analytical techniques used in pharmaceutical analysis and gain experience in these techniques. The module will also explore structured approaches to analytical problem solving for pharmaceutical scenarios.

• Astrobiology

  This module will give you an overview of current research and theory on astrobiology and expand your understanding of origin of life theories. It will demonstrate how extreme environments and organisms that are able to live in extreme environments provide potential models for extraterrestrial life. You will also learn how experimental techniques can distinguish between biological and non-biological origins of materials from both Earth and space.

• Nanotechnology Research: Therapeutics, Diagnostics and Advanced Pharmaceutics

  This module focuses on contemporary and innovative research in the nanotechnology field, including nanoparticle drug delivery systems, medical diagnostics and molecular therapeutic agents. The content covers pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, microbiology, molecular biology and clinical diagnosis. With an emphasis on modern practical techniques and methodologies, the module will provide you with specialised knowledge of the use and role of both established and novel nanotechnologies in modern therapy.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Staff profile

Dr Angela Sheerin, Course Leader

“Working in haematology and volunteering on the orthopaedics ward in a London hospital cemented that the medical sector was where I wanted my career to be in. My first degree is in Biochemistry BSc(Hons) from the University of East London. During this degree I undertook a placement year at a London hospital in a Bone and Joint research group and fell for a career in research.

“I did my PhD in molecular gerontology, Investigation of the composition of AP-1 during ageing, and I came to the University of Brighton in 2000 as a research fellow. Now I am a lecturer in the field of ageing, molecular biology, pathobiology, medical genetics, endocrinology and biochemistry.

“Having an earlier career in research has allowed me to more effectively see how we can inform our teaching with relevant backdrops which will hopefully allow our students to see the bigger picture beyond the subject they are doing and see how it can be used for research.

“I am an enthusiastic lecturer who likes to use new and modern technologies to translate knowledge to the students. I believe in ‘hands-on’ practical experience as well as interactive learning through lectures, blended learning and flip learning.”

Facilities

You will have access to our labs and facilities to support your research, including: 

• image analysis suite with electron, confocal and atomic force microscopes
• high-performance liquid and gas chromatography, atomic emission, UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy
• nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry.

Click to take a virtual tour of some of our biosciences facilities.

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

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