Cellular Pathology - MRes

Image is of H&E (haematoxylin and eosin) stained lung tissue sample taken from an end-stage emphysema patient. Cell nuclei are blue-purple, red blood cells are red, other cell bodies and extracellular material are pink, and air spaces are white - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Emphysema_H_and_E.jpg

At a glance...

Course Director: Prof. Martin Wilkins

Enquiries should be addressed to Ms Fiona Bibby f.bibby@imperial.ac.uk

Organising Division: Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Course duration: full-time (October 2012 – Sept 2013); part- time (October 2012 – September 2014)

Entry Requirements: graduate medical degree recognized by the GMC or a good first degree (usually a 2:1 or equivalent) in life sciences..

Deadline for applications: Places on the course are offered on a rolling basis. Note that the capacity of the course is ca. 12 students.

Course fees: 2012/13 entry: Home/EU students - £ 4,500.00 (full-time); £ 2,250.00 (part time). Overseas students: £ 28,000.00 (full-time); £ 14,000.00 (part-time)

Important notice: In the title of your personal statement, indicate that you are applying for MRes Cellular Pathology CRDM pathway.

Course code for applications::MRes in Clinical Research (1Y full-time) – A3CR; MRes in Clinical Research (2Y part-time) – A3CR24.

How to apply

Apply online

This course is open for October 2012 entry. Please apply online.

The principal aim of the MRes in Cellular Pathology course (pathway in MRes Clinical Research) is to provide a grounding in the fundamental mechanisms underpinning major pathological processes at the cellular level. The pathway is designed to give students a thorough background knowledge of cellular pathology and a broad insight into the latest advances in this area. The course introduces students to modern investigative techniques in cell study, including microscopy techniques, immunocytochemistry, and the use of technology and automated equipment. Students will obtain knowledge of research methodology used in clinical studies related to cellular pathology, and will gain an appreciation of the regulatory frameworks with which they are required to comply.

The course is based on two former MSc programmes in Histopathology and Clinical Cytology - both courses had well established international reputations for training biomedical scientists and clinicians in histology and cytology. The course is led by Dr Roberto Dina, Consultant Histo/Cytopathologist and honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Division of Experimental Medicine, and it is further supported by an experienced teaching team from Imperial College and the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

This MRes course is one of four pathways of an umbrella programme - MRes in Clinical Research. The four pathways include:

MRes in Translational Medicine pathway has been designed for Medics and basic scientists.
MRes Cellular Pathology pathway provides training for laboratory or clinical histologists and cytologists, whether medically or biomedically qualified.
MRes Clinical Research Design and Management pathway caters for nurses and allied healthcare professionals.
MRes in Human Nutrition has been designed for health care professionals and scientists with interest in nutrition research (subject to Senate approval).

Employment prospects

The course will provide training to individuals who wish to pursue a career an academic institution or in industry. Upon completion of the course you will be in a strong position to embark on an academic or research career as well as improve your professional role by implementing the knowledge acquired in the course. Students undertaking this course will also enhance their opportunities for recruitment within the private sector (biotechnology, pharmaceutical, molecular diagnostics, etc.).

Entry requirements

It course is suitable for experienced Biomedical Scientists as well as Medical Graduates with a specific interest in Cellular Pathology. The course is not meant to teach basic diagnostic skills, but rather to provide additional skills and knowledge to experienced cytologists and histologists. The Department also organizes ‘Advanced Cytology’ and ‘Histopathology’ Short Courses which address diagnostic aspects of the discipline. The Cellular Pathology pathway will require a graduate medical degree recognized by the GMC or a good first degree (usually a 2:1 or equivalent) in life sciences.

Course structure

The course consists of two research projects and a lecture programme covered in four taught modules providing a broad introduction to core topics in experimental medicine and translational research. Each module will take form of intensive teaching over a period of one week. Students will dedicate the remaining days to their projects. Part-time students are required to dedicate the equivalent of 20 days per Term working on their projects - subject to arrangement with their academic supervisor.

Research projects

Individual research is central to the course and research projects account for 70% of the final course grade. Project are supervised by experienced members of staff at Imperial College. In the course of their individual research, each student will complete one or two complementary research projects. Students will pursue research in tumour pathology within the Department of Histopathology or jointly with other clinical groups involved in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Each project will enable the student to learn at least two research techniques in cellular pathology. To complement their projects, students will attend group tutorials, make presentations at lab meetings and will take part in journal clubs. At the end of their research, time will be allocated to write up the projects in the form of a 10,000-word report.

Research projects will be identified in the first month of the programme and will be carried out on Hammersmith Campus, but arrangements will be made for students working with research groups at other sites. We also support students participating in research projects designed in collaboration with external parties. Students undertaking their projects outside of Imperial College will be allocated an Imperial College supervisor and will be requested to identify an external co-supervisor. In such cases, students will be required to discuss the project proposals with the course director/organiser so as to ensure that they fulfill the objectives of the MRes course.

Taught Modules (subject to senate approval)

Teaching takes place in four modules, each taught over a period of one week and complemented with home study material and tutorial meetings. Part-time students will be required to attend Core Module 1 and Core Module 2 during their first year of study. Part-time students will be required to attend Module 3 and Module 4 either in their first or second year of study.