C509 MBiolSci Microbiology
| This course offers greater laboratory experience than the BSc Microbiology degree, and additional training in research-related skills. It is specially designed to equip you for a career in research, and provide you with a valuable advantage in the competitive process of gaining a research position. Much of the fourth year of the MBiolSci degree is devoted to the extended laboratory project, which may be carried out in the Department or in industry, either in this country or abroad Note that acceptance on the industrial option is competitive. The first three years of the MBiolSci degree are the same as the BSc. Transfers are possible in either direction during the earlier years, allowing you to change your mind about the qualification you are aiming for. See the description of C500 BSc Microbiology for details of years 1-3. Click the module titles on the right for summaries of level 4 material. |
Illustrations at top of page: Left, a graphical representation of research done in Sheffield on the reaction kinetics of a bacterial haemoglobin. Centre, a second-year practical class on medical bacteriology. Right, Staphylococcus aureus, a superbug. Multiple drug resistant S. aureus are a constant threat to human health. Research in Sheffield concerns vaccine and novel drug target development. |
MBB401 Introduction to Research Methodology
This unit is designed to introduce the advanced skills and background necessary to undertake the Year 4 research project. It will show how the principles underpinning key areas of technologies used in modern molecular biology (including: bioinformatics, structural biology, functional genomics, molecular biology and genetics, cell biology, and immunology) are applied to address biological questions. There will be opportunities to revise and update key practical techniques introduced in earlier years. Students will gain an understanding of the use and protection of intellectual property in biology. [return to course structure]
MBB402 Literature Review
This unit is designed to provide teaching and training in current molecular biological ideas and computer-based methods. It involves training in critical reading of scientific literature, and will include how to read papers, understand the implications of data, and write abstracts. It looks at the development of scientific ideas, and will include aspects of the turning of scientific ideas into commercial products. It also includes teaching on the use of electronic databases, particularly those related to gene sequences. [return to course structure]
MBB403 Extended Laboratory Project
This unit provides an extended period of laboratory work, with training in experimental techniques, record keeping and writing up. Projects are supervised by a member of staff and related to ongoing research projects within the Department, although a small proportion of students undertake projects in other locations such as hospitals and the Medical School. This course is designed to provide students with experience of undertaking investigations independently on a specific research topic, so that they can develop a research oriented approach, and gain experience of lab work in preparation for a future career in science. [return to course structure]
MBB404 Project in Industry
This unit provides training in research methods in molecular biology, in an industrial lab, by means of an extended project. Training is also provided in record keeping and writing up. Projects are supervised by industrial research staff, in liaison with a member of MBB staff: this will include site visits and an interim report. The unit is designed to provide students with experience of undertaking investigations independently on a specific research topic, in an industrial setting. [return to course structure]
MBB405 Advanced Research Topics
This unit will develop the ability of students to acquire information through the medium of research seminars. It will give insight into the development of scientific ideas, and acquaint students with the most recent developments in selected areas. Students will attend a series of seminars, given as part of the departmental research seminar programme, and will write a brief report on each. They will take part in a journal club, involving studying, presenting and discussing papers from the scientific literature. They will also undertake more extensive research into the scientific literature relevant to a subset of topics. Reporting of this work will include oral presentations in which students will practice modern presentation techniques. [return to course structure]