Department of Biomedical Sciences & School of Pharmacy

University of Bradford

Department of Biomedical Sciences & School of Pharmacy

Awarding and teaching institution: / University of Bradford
Final award: / PhD/MPhil/PgDip/
English National Qualifications Framework level D
Programme title: / New Route PhD in Biotechnology & Drug Analysis
Programme accredited by:
Duration: / PgDip: 4 semesters
PhD: 4 years full-time
UCAS code:
Subject benchmark statement: / Biomedical Sciences
Date produced: / 30 June 2003; updated: 8th September 2006

Background

Drug development is of fundamental importance to the national economic prosperity, and the health of its population. Biotechnology and drug analysis are complementary disciplines involved in drug development by the pharmaceutical industry and academia. They constitute one of the major areas of research activity in the UK, attracting substantial investment from multi-national companies, UK research organisations and charities. For career progression within this sector you require a doctorate in a relevant research area. Your studies and research at Bradford will be a foundation for life, aimed at developing your knowledge in one of the well established research areas of the School of Life Sciences.

The New Route PhD in Biotechnology and Drug Analysis, together with the Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods, forms a programme with taught modules that extends the knowledge and skills of existing graduates in the life sciences field, and is also accessible to suitably qualified graduates from other relevant disciplines. The New Route PhD is co-ordinated through the University-wideGraduateSchool as part of a national initiative aimed at providing you with a range of research skills and an outstanding research experience in a supportive, integrated learning environment. As a successful graduate of the New RoutePhD you will have developed a high level of expertise in Biotechnology and Drug Analysis, together with the advanced personal and professional skills that are in increasing demand for employment in this dynamic sector.

The taught programme delivered during the first two years of the New Route PhD is based on well established modules at Masters level offered by the Department of Biomedical Sciences (RAE Grade 5) and the School of Pharmacy (RAE Grade 4). Both these Departments, and the drug analysis teams in the Tom Connors Cancer Research Centre, have a strong international research reputation. Your doctoral research in these areas will be supported on campus by the extensive state-of-the-art facilities located in the new Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation.

In general terms, the New Route PhD programme aims to:

enable you to develop a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge in a selected discipline.
enable you to develop a comprehensive and detailed understanding of research and scientific methods for advanced academic enquiry.
enable you to create and interpret new knowledge through original research that extends the forefront of the discipline.
enable you to conceptualise, design and implement a research project for the generation of new knowledge, application and understanding of the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the direction and process in the light of unforeseen circumstances.
deliver a flexible programme of postgraduate study to students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.
enable you to develop your research and other skills in a structured environment designed to encourage you to think critically and develop as an autonomous lifelong learner able to take responsibility for your own work.

develop further your ability in a range of key skills such as the dissemination of your research findings through papers, reports, presentations and oral examination.

These aims are achieved by:

delivering a programme of study with a degree of commonality of core material, but with the

flexibility to allow specialisation;

providing a supportive, structured environment in which you are encouraged to further develop independent research and learning skills;
developing in you a deep level of subject knowledge and understanding, discipline skills and personal transferable skills;
promoting educational opportunities for ethnic minority, mature and alternatively qualified students, as well as for traditionally qualified students.

More specifically, the aims of the New Route PhD postgraduate programme of study in Biotechnology are to enable you to develop, at an advanced level, knowledge, skill and understanding within the fields of Biotechnology and Drug Analysis, and to equip yourself to become a well-qualified professional able to take a lead in developing and exploiting existing and emerging technology in this area. Additionally, it provides opportunities for you to investigate and apply specialist knowledge and skills across specific areas of study, and to demonstrate critical judgement, research ability and proficiency in project management.

Learning Outcomes indicate what you should know and understand, and be able to do on successful completion of the programme. Many of the following learning outcomes will be supported through completion of the research programme and preparation of the Thesis as part of the individual programme of study. On completing this programme you will have acquired the following:

Knowledge and Understanding of fundamental concepts,principles and theoriesin the disciplines related to biotechnology, drug analysis and their applications, the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through advanced research, of a quality to satisfy peer-review, and extend the forefront of the discipline
Discipline Specific Skills in selection of the appropriate scientific methods for investigating, modelling and analysing a problem; skills of analysis to support innovative approaches; evaluate contradictory data, identify limitations of theory and analysis; plan, undertake and report an investigation and multi-disciplinary work
Personal transferable Skills in the ability to use IT to communicateconcepts, thoughts and conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences; design implement and adapt novel research proposals; data management; grant applications; scientific method; lifelong learning; teamwork and leadership; personal management and professional responsibility and autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations

The Curriculum

The modular courses cover a broad spectrum of specialist expertise, designed to support a PhD in any topic area or combination of topics. You will study modules amounting to 120 Credits, over four semesters. Each semester comprises of single (10 Credit), double (20 Credit) or linked (20 Credits spread across two semesters) modules. You will study a total of at least 80 credits in Year 1 and 40 credits in Year 2, of which 100 credits should be at M level. The programme is designed as a core curriculum with options. There is a core of research and training skills modules with options in specialised subject modules. The options provide coherent pathways for students from a wide variety of backgrounds, and reflect the research interests of the school.

You will negotiate your choice of modules individually with the Director of Postgraduate Research and your Research Supervisor/s, so that you can acquire an appropriate range of skills relevant to your selected programme of research.

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Note that it is not possible to choose more than 20 credits of Level 3 modules

Assessment regulations: a summary (please see where the New Route PhD assessment and progression regulations are shown in full)

Candidates registered on the New Route PhD programme are required to study units amounting to a minimum of 120 credits up to a maximum of 180 credits

To be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods 120 credits will be considered, of which no more than 20 credits must be at level 3.

You will be assessed in all taught course units undertaken and the best marks achieved will be used to determine progression and award

To be eligible for the award of the New Route PhD you must achieve

40% in individual units amounting to 100 credits and at least 35% in individual units amounting to a further 20 credits in the taught course units
you must submit a thesis on your research in the approved manner

If at the initial attempt at assessment you fail to attain the requirements for the award you will be permitted supplementary assessment on one occasion only in those units in which you have failed to attain the minimum marks specified.

On fulfilling the requirements for the PhD you will be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods.

To be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods you must achieve

40% in individual units amounting to 100 credits and at least 35% in individual units amounting to a further 20 credits

If you achieve an overall weighted average of at least 70% at the initial attempt you will be eligible for

the award of Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction

If you achieve an overall weighted average of at least 60% at the initial attempt you will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma with Merit

Course Structure

Unit code / Unit title / Type / Credits / Level / Sem
GS0002M / Short Introduction to Data Collection Skills and Techniques / C / 10 / M / 2
GS0004M / Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis / C / 10 / M / 2
New / Molecular Biology of the Cell / O / 20 / M / 2
BM5119D / Gene Expression and Cell Communication / O / 20 / 3 / 1
BM9117D / Nature of Disease / O / 20 / M / 1
BM9119D / Critical Appraisal of a Current Topic in Biomedical Sciences / O / 20 / M / 1 &2
BM9120D / Disorders of the Blood & Immune System / O / 20 / M / 1
BM9122D / Molecular & Genetic Basis of Disease I / O / 20 / M / 1
BM9124D / Diagnostic & Public Health Microbiology / O / 20 / M / 1
PH5002M / Clinical Pharmacology - a Critical Appraisal / O / 10 / M / 1
PH5003D / Medicines & Quality Assurance / O / 20 / M / 1
PH5004M / Pharmacokinetics & Dosage Form Design / O / 10 / M / 1
PH5007M / Drug Discovery / O / 10 / M / 1
BM5118D / Biotechnology and Genomes / O / 20 / 3 / 2
BM9121D / Toxicology & Oncology / O / 20 / M / 2
BM9123D / Molecular & Genetic Basis of Disease II / O / 20 / M / 2
BM9125D / Pathogenesis of Microbial Disease / O / 20 / M / 2

BM9130D / Research & Analytical Methods / O / 20 / M / 2
PH5005M / Clinical Pharmacology & Drug Therapy / O / 10 / M / 2

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies

You will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored in formal lectures, practised in associated tutorials and demonstrated in practicals, as part of the taught component. There will also be a more subject specific exploration with your supervisor/s. Professional and personal skills are developed in your personal development plan through non-assessed training activities, such as Departmental seminars and research group journal clubs, in addition to modules or non-credit bearing courses provided by the GraduateSchool. The teaching, learning and assessment strategies employed in the Graduate school complement the aims and learning outcomes of the research training programme by utilising lectures, seminars, group discussions and workshops to allow you to acquire the necessary skills and attributes of the independent, accountable, and effective researcher. In particular, the teaching strategy of the non-assessed Short Courses encourages you to learn from specialists in their field, and to discuss and share this experience with the Tutor/s and your peers.

Admissions policy

Your application will be treated fairly and consistently by staff experienced in admissions procedures, with appropriate recognition of equality of opportunity. If you have special needs these will be considered in the context of institutional provision and any particular requirements with regard to the proposed research project.

The procedures, criteria and regulations for admission to these programmes of study operate within the parameters defined by the University’s Ordinance and Regulations for Doctoral Courses. However, with respect to the proposed New Route PhD programme, we normally require that you have the minimum requirement of an upper second class Honours degree (in Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy or a related discipline), or a Masters qualification.

Admissions to the New Route PhD comply with standard University admissions policy as found in the ordinances and regulations. In particular the department seeks to actively promote the University policies on equal opportunities and widening access. Appropriate recognition of special needs will be considered in the context of institutional provision and any particular requirements with regard to the proposed research project.

Student support and guidance

You will have regular and frequent support from your supervisor/s, including face-to-face meetings, informal meetings, e-mail and telephone contact, there being more support in the early stages of your programme than later on. You will be encouraged to negotiate your choice of modular components on an individual basis with your research Supervisor/s and the Director of Postgraduate Research in your department, in order to acquire the relevant skills for your future research programme. Your Supervisor/s team will guide you in the preparation, and submission of a research report for formal transfer to the PhD programme, and in the final submission of your thesis.

The University provides important facilities such as extended access to Library and Computing facilities, counselling and welfare services, careers advice and a Disabilities Office. The latter routinely arranges assessments to identify whether your studies require additional support.

Envisaged Sequence of Study

you will secure research support for work in the School.
you will register for the MPhil programme having selected the appropriate units in consultation with your supervision team and the Director of Postgraduate Research.
you will complete all the taught elements within four semesters, while undertaking an advanced level research project.
you will take responsibility for the organisation and management of frequent meetings with your supervisors to review progress and discus the preparation and submission of research reports.
successful completion of the taught components will lead to the attainment of the Postgraduate Diploma which will be awarded on completion of the PhD.
progression to the PhD will be permitted if you have acquired the appropriate credits for the Postgraduate Diploma and have also successfully presented a report on your research with a Transfer Viva arranged by the Director of Postgraduate Research.
you will prepare and submit your doctoral thesis for examination.

Further Information

For further information, please check the University prospectus or contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions Tutor.