The Mechanisms and Therapy in Infection and Inflammation MSc is a dynamic Master’s programme, in which you will combine hands-on practical experience in modern biomedical techniques with theoretical knowledge, delivered by a range of teaching approaches.The programme is designed to provide students with an extensive understanding of infection and inflammation, where the teaching of core immunological concepts will complement a detailed focus on the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of globally relevant and emerging infectious diseases such as HIV, COVID-19 and tuberculosis. In addition, it will cover inflammatory conditions that pose significant health challenges worldwide, such as cardio- and cerebrovascular disease.
In addition to the taught modules, students on this programme will undertake a research project on a title of their choice in an area of infection and inflammation. Projects are supervised by world-leading researchers based in Brunel University’s Centre for Inflammation and Translational Medicine (CIRTM). Not only will students generate, analyse and interpret their own research data, but they will also be imbedded within an active research team, gaining valuable experience of a research-intensive environment, learning from senior researchers, attending lab meetings and weekly research seminars by visiting expert speakers.
At Brunel, we recognise that strong practical skills in all fields of biomedical sciences are important to employers. For this reason, we have a large practical element to the course. You will gain experience of different modern laboratory techniques and consider the legislative and ethical aspects linked to the discipline. You will learn computational skills and be trained in critical analyses of the molecular problems leading to human disease and how to identify intervention opportunities. In addition, you’ll receive training in statistics and bioinformatics, which are fundamental to the biomedicine sector.
Careers and your future
Graduates from this course will be ideally placed to pursue positions in academia, industry or the public sector. Infectious and inflammatory diseases are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and scientists trained in this area are in increasing demand in the post-pandemic era.
The specialist topics covered will position graduates as highly-valued individuals in biomedical research laboratories, for example as industrial scientists or research assistants in the fields of immunology, infectious diseases and inflammation. If your goal is to pursue a career in scientific research you will be ideally placed to continue with your studies towards a PhD. Alternatively, the particular focus on core biomedical topics will also open doors to similar positions in other disciplines, for example cancer or neurodegenerative diseases, as many of the techniques and skills learned will be applicable to these areas. Similarly, a module on scientific communication will provide graduates with the grounding for careers in journalism, scientific writing and publishing.
