MRes Health Sciences Research

Programme overview

This programme aims to give you a firm foundation in biomedical research by enhancing your knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the scientific method and practical experience in an area related to your interests. Taught units provide intensive training in research methodology, experimental design, statistical analyses and data interpretation. Skills training in verbal and written communication is also emphasised.

The core of the programme is an eight-month research project, conducted within one of the University of Bristol's internationally recognised research groups in either the Faculty of Health Sciences or the Faculty of Life Sciences. Opportunities will be available in laboratory or clinical-based investigations.

The programme is suitable for medical, dental and veterinary students interested in pursuing a research-intensive intercalation option after three years of study. It is also suitable for graduates in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and bioscience subjects who wish to develop their research skills.

Translational Cardiovascular Medicine pathway

Students with a particular interest in cardiovascular medicine can study the MRes Health Sciences Research (Translational Cardiovascular Medicine). In addition to the units listed above (except Project Proposal), you will be able choose two of the following:
• Coronary Artery Disease I
• Coronary Artery Disease II
• Heart and Valve Disease
• Paediatric Heart Disease
• Aneurysm, Peripheral Vascular Disease and Stroke.

Examples of previous research projects include:
• Alteration of pericytes in the bone marrow stem cell niche of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Modification of titanium dioxide nanofeatures with lysozyme for antimicrobial biomedical implants
• Kinematic and genetic analyses of canine degenerative myelopathy.

Renal pathway

Students with a particular interest in renal medical sciences can study the MRes Health Sciences Research (Renal). In addition to the units listed above (except Project Proposal), you will be required to take the Introduction to Renal Sciences unit.

Research projects on this pathway will be renal-focused and will take the form of a fundamental bioscience project, translational research, or an epidemiological population health study (in partnership with the UK Renal Registry). There is an additional option to undertake a clinical placement, shadowing adult or paediatric nephrologists during inpatient and outpatient consultations.

Careers

This programme is suitable for students with a clinical or biosciences background who want to develop their research skills before embarking on a research/clinical career in academia or the pharmaceutical industry. It provides the ideal foundation for further studies leading to a PhD.