The Programme

The Programme follows a 1+3 structure.

The first year involves 3 core attachments, each consisting of a 10-week mini-project and parallel core-topic 1-5 day short courses . The core attachments cover the following areas:

1. Epidemiology
2. Biostatistics and bioinformatics
3. Molecular/genetic laboratory skills

Core Attachments

The three core attachments will offer you the opportunity to study a range of research areas with different supervisors, allowing an informed decision at the end of year 1 on your choice of PhD thesis project for years 2-4.

The epidemiology attachment includes placements to develop knowledge and skills in fieldwork, study design, biostatistics and critical literature review.

The biostatistics / bioinformatics attachment involves tutorials in programming in Python, Visual Basic, Perl, HTML and XHTML applications; the application and the use of Web resources (software and databases) in human genetics; and statistical genetic methods for linkage disequilibrium, haplotype, cladistic and fine mapping.

The attachment at the genetic laboratory (BGEL) will involve you undertaking PCR, fluorescence detection and development of assays for complex genomic variants, electrophoresis, imaging; DNA and cell line and bank handling including robotics; and RNA, promoter and cellular analysis .

To consolidate learning, each attachment will involve undertaking a mini-project (e.g. a systematic review; a genetic-based dataset to analyse). You will write up and present results from each of the three core rotation projects as part of our ongoing assessment procedures.

A portfolio of suggested PhD projects will be made available mid-way through year 1, so that during the last 10 weeks of the first year you will choose your project, prepare a detailed research proposal and be interviewed by the proposed supervisors.

Short Courses

Woven into the 1st year core attachments and assessment procedures is training in specialist scientific skills, provided by a series of 1-5 day Programme-specific Short Courses. These courses will prepare students with varied backgrounds for more advanced study in epidemiology, biostatistics, molecular genetic laboratory and bioinformatic methods and generic research skills.

There will also be training in transferable skills (e.g. research ethics and governance, databases, questionnaire design, thesis and paper writing; communication skills; refereeing of papers and grant applications).

This taught component will complement the ongoing core attachments.