Course summary

One year of supervised laboratory-based research examined by thesis and an oral examination. This is not a taught course. Applicants are typically science postgraduates or clinically qualified doctors undertaking scientific training. Research is predominantly in the areas of cancer genetics and the genetics of rare disease and developmental disorders. The aim is to understand the cell biology of disease mechanisms using a wide range of disciplines including biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, bioinformatics and biostatistics. Specific research training relevant to your own project is provided in the laboratory in which you work. Further training is provided within the Addenbrooke's campus and elsewhere in the University, and includes postgraduate workshops on research techniques, research seminars, and postgraduate student education seminars on generic subjects such as intellectual property rights, statistics, bioinformatics, communication skills, writing a thesis or paper and entrepreneurship. The course's main aims are:

• to give students with relevant experience at first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision; and

• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.