Course summary
Course Overview The development of in vitro diagnostics and their implementation as near-patient tests is increasing in importance as part of a paradigm shift in healthcare practice. Care providers, globally, have committed to a transition to a more personalised and adaptive community-based approach and away from traditional hospital-based care. The World Health Organisation note that accurate, rapid and affordable point-of-care tests (POCT) will increase access to testing and identification of infections, no matter the level of healthcare system. Rapid advances in technology and practice have resulted in the development of increasingly sophisticated and effective devices being used in health care. Highly skilled biomedical scientists, alongside the wider spectrum of health and care workers, with a solution-oriented mindset are required to support this shift in delivery. This brand-new Master’s – launching in January 2025 – is among the first in the world to give focus to this area and deliver a programme designed to address evolving healthcare needs. Industry placement Please note: you will be registered on the MSc Biomedical Sciences, which includes a research project. All students will get the opportunity to apply to undertake an industrial placement as an alternative to the research project. Placements, subject to availability, are on a competitive basis and are subject to an application and interview with the placement provider. If successful, you will be moved on to the MSc Biomedical Sciences with Industrial Practise.
Modules
Theory of laboratory-based diagnostic methods and techniques This module is designed to give an understanding of standard diagnostic procedures from a basic science and analytical perspective. Students will learn the similarities and differences between standard biomedical science laboratory and point-of-care diagnostic and health monitoring assays, the type of data generated by such tests and approaches to analysis. Principles of point-of-care testing (devices and systems) Point-of-care testing offers numerous advantages to testing done in a centralised laboratory. However, testing in different, non-controlled environments presents significant challenges for healthcare workers wishing to adopt this practice. This module covers the fundamental principles, challenges and problem-solving strategies that should be considered when planning the implementation of point-of-care testing in different environments. Experimental design for testing and evaluation The aim of this module is to develop your experimental design skills by improving understanding, use, interpretation and communication of statistical methods and analysis. You'll learn to design and optimise experiments using systematic methods based on standard statistical techniques. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics You'll learn key pharmacological concepts and methods for quantifying and describing the action of drugs within living systems. The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of drug action, how the human body handles drugs and how this can be modelled. MSc Dissertation Individual in-depth investigation of a particular aspect of their own specialism. An opportunity to undertake individually an in-depth investigation in a relevant area of interest within an applied context in industry, consolidating theory and examining practice and providing a basis for the writing of a substantial dissertation.
Assessment method
Assessment will take the form of practical projects, reports and exams. You'll produce a research project reflecting on a work placement or an area of study that has a particular interest to you.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
Entry requirements
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree (2.2 or better) in a field related to Applied Bioscience, Bioscience, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Human Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Genetics, Forensic Biology, Health Sciences. Consideration will be given to applicants who have relevant professional experience in areas including biomedical science and other science fields, primary care and data analytics.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £7900 | Whole course |
| England | £10400 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £10400 | Whole course |
| Wales | £10400 | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £10400 | Whole course |
| EU | £17000 | Whole course |
| International | £17000 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
International/EU fees are £18,000 for the following courses:-
MSc Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity
MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence and User Experience
MProf Games Development
MSc Computer Games Technology
Provider information
Abertay University
Bell Street
Dundee
DD1 1HG
Course contact details
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