MSc Clinical Biochemistry / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Our MSc in Clinical Biochemistry will give you a thorough grounding in a discipline that deals with the clinical analysis of body fluids and other biological material to aid the diagnosis, therapy and monitoring of diseases.

Clinical biochemists are typically clinical scientists who work in hospital laboratories providing advice and interpretation of analytical results to other healthcare professionals such as clinicians, general practitioners and nurses.

They are also involved in the development of new analytical methods and improvement of clinical services, including quality assurance and audit. During the MSc you will also develop your analytical skills with relevant practical sessions.

Through this MSc, you will gain a core knowledge and understanding of the normal physiology and pathophysiology of the major organs and endocrine systems, as well as more specialist areas such as paediatric biochemistry and drug monitoring.

You will also develop a core knowledge and understanding of clinical disorders and how biochemical parameters and laboratory methods are used for the investigation, diagnosis and management of patients.

PhD with integrated master's

If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.

You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.

Aims

We aim to give you:

  • an advanced understanding and applied knowledge of the theory and practice of clinical biochemistry;
  • a critical understanding of how biochemical investigations are employed to develop a clinical diagnosis;
  • the necessary professional and research skills to promote lifelong learning and career development.

Special features

Innovative teaching

The course is taught in a blended format allowing you to self-pace theoretical knowledge before learning and how to apply it in guided teaching. We utilise interactive teaching throughout your studies using simulation of clinical cases where you will apply your theoretical knowledge to solve real-life laboratory scenarios.

Lab skills

You will complete a practical course in our cutting-edge postgraduate laboratories allowing you to develop analytical skills both in handling samples and for data analysis. We cater for students from a range of backgrounds and are able to offer top up sessions to those with limited laboratory experience at undergraduate level.

Research experience

You will conduct a 10 week research project which can take a number of formats including laboratory based work, adapted systematic reviews of the published literature or analysis of laboratory data. You will learn how to formulate a research question, conduct an effective literature search and critically appraise publications.

Professional teaching and learning

Most of the course is taught by NHS professionals working in the field of clinical biochemistry. You will also learn alongside students from a variety of health science backgrounds within pathology, helping you to integrate within a health service laboratory team in the future.

Teaching and learning

We use a range of teaching and learning methodologies throughout the course, including lectures, tutorials, workshops and interactive clinical case tutorials using mobile technology and iPads. Some of these will be delivered online.

Find out more by visiting the postgraduate teaching and learning page.

Coursework and assessment

We will assess your progress using a range of formative and summative assessments, such as MCQs, ECQs, written and verbal presentations.

The assessments will be constructed to assess your knowledge and understanding while at the same time refining and expanding your intellectual and transferable skills.

Course unit details

The units that form part of the MSc are listed in the Course unit list further down the page.

There are also two PGCert pathways available, each comprising the following units:

PGCert Clinical Biochemistry (Foundation)

  • Analytical Methods (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Clinical Biochemistry (15 credits)
  • Diseases of Major Organs (15 credits)
  • Endocrinology (15 credits)

PGCert Clinical Biochemistry (Advanced)

  • Diseases of Major Organs (15 credits)
  • Endocrinology (15 credits)
  • Nutrition and Drug Monitoring (15 credits)
  • Paediatric Biochemistry (15 credits)

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Diseases of Major Organs MEDN61050 15 Mandatory
Nutrition and Drug Monitoring MEDN61600 15 Mandatory
Introduction to Clinical Biochemistry MEDN61701 15 Mandatory
Endocrinology MEDN61800 15 Mandatory
Analytical Methods MEDN61901 15 Mandatory
Research Skills Masterclass MEDN63011 30 Mandatory
Clinical Biochemistry Dissertation MEDN63220 60 Mandatory
Paediatric Biochemistry MEDN67200 15 Mandatory
Research Methods (Non-Credit) MEDN69920 0 Mandatory

Scholarships and bursaries

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Facilities

You will be able to access a range of facilities throughout the University.

You will undertake your theoretical learning on the main University campus.

Your research project may be carried out in a laboratory within the University or at teaching hospitals in Greater Manchester.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .

CPD opportunities

We offer units from this MSc as standalone courses for continuing professional development. Please see the Clinical Biochemistry CPD units page for further details.