Cardiovascular Research offers advanced theoretical and practical grounding in cardiovascular research, including specialist technical skills training, expert-led workshops and an in-depth laboratory-based project. Enables students to pursue further study (PhD) or employment in a research environment, with a view to a cardiovascular research career. Comprises a research project and three other modules.
KEY BENEFITS
- The programme offers advanced practical experience, supervised training, together with an in-depth cardiovascular research project within an active research group.
- Each student can choose a number of expert led workshops focused on teaching specialised technical skills.
- This new programme offers a lead into a research career; over 50 per cent of graduates on a similar research-orientated degree progress to a PhD.
- Located in the heart of London.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
PhD, laboratory-based research career in academia or industry, other science-related careers.
Programme leader/s
Dr Paul Fraser
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT, September to September.
Location
Waterloo Campus with projects taking place at other campuses.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Medicine
Closing date
31 July 2013. Incomplete applications may not be considered after this date.
Intake
Approximately 20 (FT).
Fees
FT Home: £9000 (2013)
FT Overseas: £19000 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Health Schools' Admissions Centre, Guy's Campus, tel +44 (0)20 7848 8393
Dr Paul Fraser, tel +44 (0)20 7848 4109
Email
Website
PURPOSE
To provide a thorough practical grounding in biomedical and molecular life sciences research, enabling you to specialise in a particular area for further study (PhD) or for employment in a research environment. Designed for students wishing to train for a cardiovascular research career.
DESCRIPTION
This programme provides firm theoretical and practical training in specialist technical skills as well as the opportunity to carry out an in-depth laboratory-based cardiovascular research project.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
- Cardiovascular Skills
- Fundamental Cardiovascular Research
- Applied Cardiovascular Research
- Cardiovascular Research Project
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
You will receive advanced courses that detail current topics of interest in cardiovascular biology and the techniques that are employed to address them. You will also undertake a laboratory-based research project (equivalent to 50 per cent of programme) based with a research team: you define a project area and we will advise on its suitability and recommend a supervisor. You will take a programme of workshops in transferable, technical skills and specialist technical skills. Theoretical aspects of cardiovascular topics will be taught via student-led seminars that are complemented by lectures detailing some recent advances in cardiovascular biology. Assessment is by written examinations; workshop reports; practical write-up; research project; oral presentations.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7MRV0011
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 30
Semester:
Semester 1 (autumn)
Assessment:
written examination/s; coursework; presentation/s;
The Applied Cardiovascular Research module has similar aims and format as the Fundamental Cardiovascular Research module. The following are examples of the topic areas that will be considered, but please note these may change from year to year: Hypertension; Atherogenesis; Redox Signalling; Acute coronary syndromes & MI; Heart Failure & Cardiac Remodelling; Cardiac Regeneration – Stem Cells; Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease; Aortic aneurysm; Stroke.
Module code: 7MRV0014
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 90
Semester:
Semester 2 (spring); summer session 1;
Assessment:
coursework; presentation/s;
You will join an active laboratory and become part of a research team for 5 to 6 months, at the end which you will:
- Have acquired the necessary experimental skills to design and conduct an independent research project under appropriate supervision.
- Be able to critically appraise the current literature relating to the research topic under investigation.
- Have applied a specialist knowledge of the subject to the research problem being investigated.
- Have applied statistical and graphical packages to analyse and present their experimental data.
- Be able to write up a concise report of the module in the form of a scientific paper and be able to communicate these findings verbally and visually (using PowerPoint slides or equivalent) to a wider audience.
Module code: 7MRV0012
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 30
Semester:
Semester 1 (autumn); Semester 2 (spring);
Assessment:
written examination/s; coursework;
Cardiovascular Skills:
The aim of this module is for you to have acquired specialist training in contemporary techniques used in research of the cardiovascular system. Currently, the topics and techniques covered include the following (these are subject to annual review, to ensure that contemporary topics and techniques are covered):
Fundamental laboratory skills (eg. pipetting, weighing, pH measurement – laboratory class)
Core Skills (eg. Tissue culture, Western Blotting; Animal handling etc, lectures and laboratory)
Advanced Laboratory Skills. These will be delivered via a lecture series followed by specialist workshops.
You will be required to write a 500-word summary of each of the specialist workshops. These written reports should contain a brief introduction to the field, an overview of the techniques introduced and how they have been applied to recent new discoveries, using examples from the literature.
Theoretical modules
Fundamental Cardiovascular Research & Applied Cardiovascular Research:
These modules will enable you to:
Critically appraise the current literature relating to the cardiovascular topics being presented in lectures and discussed in student-led seminars, so that you will be in a position to evaluate the theory underlying your research projects and place their results into the context of the relevant literature.
Communicate the literature reports by writing essays, and also by communicating visually by means of PowerPoint slides or their equivalent to a wider audience.
You will be assessed on these modules via your seminar presentations and a long essay by an examination.
The following are examples of the topic areas that will be considered, but please note these may change from year to year.
Fundamental: Endothelial control of vasculature; Flow and shear in vascular function; Capillary permeability; Leukocyte Transmigration; Platelet signalling & Thrombogenesis; Angiogenesis & Vascular Development; Control of Heart Rate & Rhythm; Control of cardiac contraction; Myocardial signalling and hypertrophy.
Applied: Hypertension; Atherogenesis; Cardio-protection & Redox Signalling; Acute coronary syndromes/MI; Heart Failure & Cardiac Remodelling; Cardiac Regeneration – Stem Cells; Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease; Stroke.
Module code: 7MRV0013
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 30
Semester:
Semester 1 (autumn)
Assessment:
written examination/s; coursework; presentation/s;
This theoretical module will enable you to critically appraise the current literature relating to the cardiovascular topics being presented in lectures and discussed in student-led seminars, so that you will be in a position to evaluate the theory underlying your research projects and place their results into the context of the relevant literature. Communicate the literature reports by writing essays, and also by communicating visually by means of PowerPoint slides or their equivalent to a wider audience. You will be assessed on these modules via your seminar presentations and a long essay by an examination.
The following are examples of the topic areas that will be considered, but please note these may change from year to year.
Endothelial control of vasculature; Flow and shear in vascular function; Capillary permeability; Leukocyte Transmigration; Platelet signalling & Thrombogenesis; Angiogenesis & Vascular Development; Control of Heart Rate & Rhythm; Control of cardiac contraction; Myocardial signalling and hypertrophy.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
Minimum 2:1 first degree in a biological, molecular biological or biomedical sciences-related subject, an overseas equivalent, or a medical qualification.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applications must be made online using King's online application portal.
You will be admitted on the basis of your academic ability together with recommendations from academic referees. We hold an annual Open Day which will provide you with an opportunity to view the facilities.
For further information please email
paul.fraser@kcl.ac.uk.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Please list A-level subjects and grades (or equivalent university entry qualifications) plus a transcript listing of subjects studied and grades achieved during first degree. Applicants who have not yet graduated should list modules studied and date when results are expected. Your personal statement should indicate your reasons for undertaking this programme.
FUNDING
Self funded.
Staff profiles
Cardiovascular Research MScThe Cardiovascular Division at King’s is one of the key centres in the UK for research into the diseases that affect the heart and the circulation, and is one of four research centres to be given the prestigious BHF Centre for Research Excellence award.
The academic staff within the Division, who all lead active research groups, are the teachers on this programme and deliver their expertise of the forefront of current research. The range of topics and techniques we use is extensive and can be examined by following the links provided under the Division’s website:
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/medicine/research/cardio/pi/