Stress, Ageing and Chronic Disease MRes

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Course structure

The Stress, Ageing and Chronic Disease 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.

Syllabus

Modules

Core modules

• Ageing: Pathology and Prevention

  This module will explain the current understanding of the causes and features of the degenerative pathology associated with ageing. You will look at the fundamental biology of ageing and the physiological changes that occur with age, for example regarding tissue function and bone density. You will also explore the application, discovery and development of interventions to promote healthy ageing, including lifestyle, nutrition and supplementation.

• 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.

• Evaluating Research in Biosciences

  Evaluating Research in Biosciences will give you a critical understanding of innovative developments in biosciences and enable you to study a topic of current bioscience research in depth. Delivered via a series of presentations by university staff, external speakers and students, the module also includes seminars where you will take a leading role in facilitating and discussing material. You will be expected to evidence your literature research with a portfolio of annotated research articles.

Options*

• Masters Independent Study

  During this module you will carry out an in-depth investigation of an area of interest from a chosen area of study which falls within the expertise of the staff within the School of Applied Sciences, but is outside the range of material covered by the course. The content of the module depends upon the subject you choose, but will be within the remit of Applied Sciences masters degrees. It should also be different to the subject chosen for your dissertation.

• Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices

  Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices will introduce you to the field of regenerative medicine, medical implants and diagnostics. Areas covered include conventional medical implants and devices and personalised regenerative medicine approaches in cell-based therapy, gene therapy and tissue engineering. You will explore the factors influencing biocompatibility of materials in relation to specific clinical applications and expanded to conventional implants, cell carriers and nanobiomaterials as vectors/carriers for genes and drugs.

• 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.

• Cancer: Bench to Bedside

  This module provides you with an overview of the fundamental biological processes underlying cancer and develops your knowledge of the treatment possibilities provided by our understanding of how cancer works at a biological level. You will cover areas such as risk factors and diagnosis, radiotherapies, immune therapies, psychosocial oncology and in vivo and in vitro cancer models, and get an insight into the journey from diagnosis to treatment to remission.

• 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 Mark Yeoman, course leader

Dr Mark Yeoman is a Reader in Neuropharmacology and Director of the Centre for Lifelong Health. His research interests focus on the causes and consequences of the natural ageing process in both the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.

His teaching focuses on allowing students to understand how the properties of electrically excitable cells are coordinated to produce a functioning organ system, and how the function of the system can be altered by pathology and corrected through the use of pharmacological agents.

Facilities 

Our specialist facilities include:

• a dedicated genomics/ metabolomics/proteomics facility

• imaging and analysis unit (including both electron and confocal microscopy)

• extensive cell and tissue culture facilities

• high-performance liquid and gas chromatography, atomic emission, UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy

• nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)

• modern synthetic and analytical chemistry equipment

• a range of specialist research equipment (for use in projects) including electrophysiology/electrochemistry rigs, a FACS machine and a dedicated histology lab.

Click to view 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

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

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