Overview of the MRes in Biomedical Sciences and

Translational Medicine

Alan Morgan (Programme Director)Email: amorgan@liv.ac.ukTelephone: 0151 794 5333

General Introduction

- Stand alone postgraduate research degree

- Intercalated degree for medical students

- First year of a 1 + 3 PhD program

MRes (Master of Research)in Biomedical Sciences and

Translational Medicine

Aims

To provide students with a first class research

training at Masters level in biomedical sciences

and translational medicine in an interdisciplinary

research environment.

Objectives

To provide Masters level research training via three 12-week projects in an interdisciplinary research environment.

To demonstrate a critical awareness of a range of modern techniques and to enable students to increase their knowledge of current research in biomedical sciences and translational medicine to Masters level.

To provide training to acquire transferable skills and knowledge, appropriate to postgraduate research students.

Research Project Module x 3

Techniques & Frontiers Module

Transferable Skills Module

Biomedical Sciences Research Strands

Meet with your strand convenors at 3.30pm today

Strands defined by laboratory research training

Biology of CancerCellular & Molecular Physiology

Drug Safety Medical Sciences

Molecular and Clinical GastroenterologyMolecular and Clinical Pharmacology

NeuroscienceStem Cells, Tissues and Disease

Women’s Children’s and Perinatal Health

Organisation and Student Support

MRes Administrative Structure

Strand Convenors:

Biology of Cancer: Dr Eithne Costello-Goldring and Dr Carlos Rubbi

Cellular & Molecular Physiology: Dr Jeff Barclay

Drug Safety: Dr Takao Sakai

Medical Sciences: Prof Alan Morgan

Molecular and Clinical Gastroenterology: Dr John Jenkins

Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology: Dr Simon Keller

Neuroscience: Dr Graeme Sills

Stem cells, Tissues and Disease: Dr Antonius Plagge

Women’s Children’s and Perinatal Health: Dr Dharani Hapangama

MRes Administrative Structure

Programme Director: Prof Alan Morgan

Programme Administrator: Michelle Hennessy

Institute PGR team: Michelle Hennessy, Emma Robertson, Jo Isherwood, Alison Goodyear

Institute Director of Postgraduate Studies: Prof Andrea Varro

Plus >80 other staff involved (mainly Institute of Translational Medicine, but also staff from other Institutes)

MRes Student Support

MRes Strand ConvenorsFirst point of contact when problems arise.Help with academic and administrative issues.If unable to help, refer matter to the Programme Director

MRes Programme Administrator (Michelle Hennessy)Advice and assistance with non-academic and day-to-day MRes issues (deadlines, timetable changes, attendance issues, etc).

MRes Programme Director (Prof Alan Morgan)Help with academic and administrative issues related to the overall MRes.Assistance with problems that strand convenors cannot resolve.

Institute Director of Postgraduate Studies (Prof Andrea Varro)Help with general postgraduate issues.Assistance with problems that the Programme Director cannot resolve.

Institute PGR team (Michelle, Emma, Jo, Alison)Help with general postgraduate administrative issues (finance, visas, etc).

University Student Support

International Students International Support Team (IST) gives advice to international students on a variety of issues such as visas, accommodation and financial matters.

Disabled Students Disability Support Team (DST) gives support and advice on how to apply for Disabled Students Allowance and other sources of funding.Please register any disability (including dyslexia) as soon as possible with the DST.

Financial Hardship Financial Support Team (FST) provides personalised, independent and confidential support on a wide range of financial issues.

Counselling Counselling Service provides confidential help with personal and emotional problems via qualified counsellors.

Resolving problems

Problem?

Contact MRes Strand Convenor

Not resolved within 2 weeks?

Contact MRes Programme Director (Alan Morgan)

Not resolved within 2 weeks?

Contact ITM PGR Director (Andrea Varro)

Programme Overview

• Comprehensive induction in first 2 weeks

• Three 12-week Research Projects (10-weeks lab work plus 2 weeks to write up report and prepare a presentation)

• Techniques and Frontiers in Biomedical Sciences module: generic Lectures and Statistics course, plus Strand-Specific Activities and Journal Clubs • Transferable skills module: Prospective Licensee Course, Demonstrator training, Science Skills sessions, Debates, IP & Commercialization, PhD Studentship Application, Careers etc

• English language support (weekly conversation & academic writing classes)

MRes in Biomedical Sciences and Translational Medicine: Programme Content

Induction Timetable: week 1

Preparation for research project

Free time to contact your project supervisor, read around subject etc.  

Be on time!

Timetabled activities start at the appointed time. Make sure you are here at 9.50am forthe 10.00am lectures.  

Induction Timetable: week 2

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 SEMESTER 3

October-January January-April April-August

Research Project 1 Research Project 2 Research Project 3Poster/oral presentation, Poster/oral presentation, Poster/oral presentation,write up write up write up

(45 Credits) (45 Credits) (45 Credits)

Techniques in Frontiers in Frontiers inBiomedical Sciences Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Sciences (30 Credits)

Transferable Skills Transferable Skills Transferable Skills (15 Credits)

Overview of Programme Structure and Accreditation

Programme Timetable and Deadlines 1

Programme Timetable and Deadlines 2

Assessment

3 assessed components of the MRes programme:

A)Research Projects (3 modules, 45 Credits each)

B) Techniques and Frontiers in Biomedical Sciences (1 module, 30 Credits)

C) Transferable Skills (1 module, 15 Credits)

MRes degree comprises 3 strand-specific modules (A) and 2 core modules (B and C), totalling 180 Credits.

MRes Assessment Overview

Program: MRES/BSTM        Major Code: BSTM

Modules:BIOM  603 Transferable SkillsBIOM  604  Techniques and Frontiers in Biomedical Sciences

CMPH 601Research Project 1 C&M Physiol ANAT 701 Research Project 1 M&C GastroenterolCMPH 602Research Project 2 ANAT 702 Research Project 2 CMPH 603Research Project 3 ANAT 703 Research Project 3

PHGY 601 Research project 1 Neuroscience PHAR 801Research Project 1 M&C PharmacolPHGY 602 Research project 2 PHAR 802Research Project 2PHGY 603 Research project 3 PHAR 803Research Project 3

DRSA 601 Research project 1 Drug Safety MABI  601 Research Project 1 Medical SciencesDRSA 602 Research project 2 MABI  602 Research Project 2DRSA 603 Research project 3 MABI  603 Research Project 3

TMTH 601 Research project 1 WC&P Health PHTH  601  Research Project 1 Stem Cells, T&DTMTH 602 Research project 2 PHTH  602  Research Project 2TMTH 603 Research project 3 PHTH  603  Research Project 3

BICA 601  Research Project 1 Biology of CancerBICA 602  Research Project 2BICA 603  Research Project 3

MRes Core and Strand-Specific Module Codes

To pass the MRes, candidates must achieve a minimum mark of 50% overall.

If the average of the total marks in all modules is 50% or above, a mark in the range 40-49% may be deemed compensatable in the Transferable Skills module only.

In addition, a minimum of 70% recorded attendance at the compulsory sessions in the Techniques/Frontiers and Transferable Skills modules is required to pass the MRes degree.

Four possible degree classifications: Fail, Pass, Merit, Distinction.

MRes Degree Award and Classification

MRes degree classification criteria

Very important to work hard on all components!

A Merit or Distinction grade will be awarded in accordance with the following criteria:

(i) To be awarded a Merit grade, candidates must achieve: an overall average mark of at least 60% in research modules; AND an overall average mark of at least 60% in ‘taught’ modules. (ii) To be awarded a Distinction grade, candidates must achieve: an overall average mark of at least 70% in research modules; AND an overall average mark of at least 70% in ‘taught’ modules.

Research projects

Research Projects

• 3 x 10 weeks + 2 weeks for write up and preparing a presentation (poster x 2, oral x1)

• Lab work from 9.00 am- 5.30pm daily (except Wed pm)

• Progressive research training during the 3 rotations

• Students are not expected or advised to work in the lab longer than the 10 weeks during rotations

• Students need to inform supervisors and strand convenor ASAP when absent from laboratory

• £3000 bench fees to supervisors to pay for project costs

Research Project supervisors appointed by Strand convenors – aim to complete allocations by Friday

Safety

• University Safety Courses

• Institute of Translational Medicine safety training

• Departmental safety information

• Specific project-related Risk Assessments

• Work outside normal working hours, including weekends, is only permitted if either the supervisor or a suitably experienced person approved by the supervisor is present. (out of hours book must be signed)

Working with Human Subjects

Supervisors have a responsibility to ensure that all work involving human subjects is covered by appropriate Ethics Comittee Permission.

They should also ensure that students conducting research projects involving human subjects and/or material understand the permission given for their work, and in writing their dissertation, they make a clear statement of the Ethics Comittee Approval for the work.

Presentation on Ethics by Prof Varro on Wednesday

Working with Animals

Supervisors have a responsibility to ensure that the appropriate Home Office Authority (both personal and project licence) are in place before working with experimental animal is started.

They should also ensure that students conducting research projects involving experimental animals understand the permission given for their work, and in writing their dissertation, they make a clear statement of the Home Office Approval for the work.

Home Office prospective licensee course next week

Assessment of Research Projects

Strand Convenors give feedback 3 weeks after submission

Techniques and Frontiers Module

Generic:

Techniques Lectures, Frontiers Lectures, Statistics Course, Journal Club Demonstrations

Strand-specific:

Journal Clubs, Tutorials, Seminars, PhD talks, etc

Timetable of generic sessions to be emailed separately

Strand-specific activities arranged by Strand Convenors

Techniques and Frontiers Module Content

Techniques and Frontiers Lectures

Assessment of Techniques and Frontiers 1

Students will be assessed on:

A short review based on a Techniques lecture presented in semester 1

A short review based on a Frontiers lecture presented in semester 2 or 3

A referee’s report based on a journal club presented in semester 2

Students choose short reviews, Strand Convenor allocates referee’s report

Assessment of Techniques and Frontiers 2

Lecturer + Moderator (Strand Convenor)Short Review 1 - 40%

Lecturer + Moderator (Strand Convenor)Short Review 2 - 40%

Lecturer + Moderator (Strand Convenor)Referee's Report - 20%

Strand Convenors give feedback 3 weeks after submission

Transferable Skills Module

Demonstrator training

Ethics

Prospective licensee course

Debates

Health and Safety

Career development

Intellectual property and commercialisation of research

Writing grant applications

Preparing portfolios

Content

Assessment: Transferable skills

Independent marker + Moderator (Strand Convenor)PhD Studentship Application contributes 50%

Management School + External Expert + MRes DirectorBusiness Proposal and Presentation contributes 40%

MRes DirectorPortfolio Self-Assessment contributes 10%

Attendance

Attendance and Absenteeism

Punctual attendance at all scheduled activities in the MRes course is compulsory and will be monitored carefully via a card scan system.

Students must scan their card BEFORE a lecture commences. Students who arrive after a lecture has begun will be marked as absent. To avoid this, please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time (e.g., at 1.50 pm for lectures starting at 2.00 pm).

Note that a documented attendance record of at least 70% of all scheduled sessions is required to pass the MRes degree.

Daily laboratory attendance from 9am is required for research projects.

If for any reason you need to be absent (e.g. other meetings, courses, illness, etc) you should inform your supervisor and strand convenor as soon as possible, at the latest by 9.30am on the day that you will be away from the lab. You should also email the Programme Administrator to formally report your absence and fill in an absence form.

Student Feedback

Student Feedback and Representation

Each strand needs to elect a student representative ASAP

Feedback on assignments will be given by strand convenors in the first instance. Students will also be able to meet with individual markers for additional feedback on assignments, if desi red. We aim to mark all written assignments and provide feedback 3 weeks after submission. Staff-student consultation will operate in accordance with the University Code of Practice and Guidelines via questionnaires, monthly open meetings with the Programme Director and student representation on the Board of Studies. Board of Studies Constitution Elected MRes students representing each of the main strands One MRes student from the previous year MRes Programme Director MRes Strand Convenors MRes Programme Administrator Institute Director of Postgraduate Studies Head of Institute Institute Manager Terms of Reference (i) All aspects of curriculum delivery, quality assurance and enhancement; (ii) Resources provided for teaching and learning; (iii) Matters of general relevance and interest to the course.

MRes course information

Virtual Interactive Teaching At Liverpool

Constantly up-to-date Programme Handbook

All PowerPoint presentations

Turnitin links for submitting assignments

Absence forms etc for downloading

Login via link on University home page - I will demonstrate now…

Course Information: VITAL

Completing the MRes degree

Progression from MRes to PhD

Progression to PhD

- MRes is first year of Institute 1 + 3 PhD programmes

- Highly successful: running since 1994 in Institute of Translational Medicine, funded by the Wellcome Trust, MRC, BBRSC etc, or self-funding.

- Overall completion rate 98% by end of year 4 (year 3 of their actual PhD registration).

- First year - MRes- Selection of capable students (re-register to PhD)

- Years 2- 4 - PhD

Progression to PhD

Progression to PhD by MRes graduates is subject to obtaining 65% or above in the Research Projects and is subject to the discretion of the supervisor.

Any Questions?

Assemble into Strands ready to meet your strand

convenors

ITM Postgrad Society and Guild of Students talks

4.30 pm today here

Welcome Receptionafterwards next door

Please come!