Microbiome in Health & Disease MSc

Our Microbiome in Health & Disease MSc provides students with a unique background in all aspects of both analysis of microbiome and determining the role of microbiome in pathology with experience in both computational and experimental techniques. Designed and delivered by the Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions (CHMI) at King's, the course brings together teaching in systems biology and bioinformatics with molecular biology, microbiology, immunology and physiology. In the post-human genome project world, our health is dependent on more than our genes. High throughput sequencing reveals the amazing complexity and extent of the microbial communities that reside within or upon us. We are also beginning to understand just how dynamic the interactions between the host and members of communities are. Interactions are diverse, and variations observed between individuals depend on a multitude of microbial and host factors, including diet and inflammatory status. More importantly, it is becoming clear that different disease states are linked to significant changes in the make-up of these communities. Scientists who understand the computational analysis of the huge data sets for microbial communities, and who are also able to interpret findings in the context of human and microbial health, will be in demand across this emerging field in academia and in industry.

Key benefits

Deep understanding of microbial communities and their impact on host health and disease.
Focus on translation in clinical, agricultural and environmental challenges.

The MSc Microbiome in Health & Disease will provide you with a deep understanding of microbial communities and their diversity, and the impact of these communities on host health and disease. You will be exposed to the concepts and techniques involved in profiling and analysing large omics data sets associated with characterising and investigating microbial communities. You will learn to analyse omics data sets, such as genome, transcriptome, metabolome and metagenome data, and how to integrate these data to develop a holistic understanding of the interactions between host and microbial communities in both health and disease states. You will study the intersection between microbiome and engineering and learn how to identify and develop innovative products in different microbiome fields, applying learning from computational, multiomics analysis and basic biology, through advanced synthetic biology tools, and integrative analysis and modelling, to design new engineered therapeutic microbial communities and optimize their effectiveness in clinical, agricultural and environmental challenges. You will also undertake a supervised dissertation on a subject within the field of microbiome in health and disease.

Course Aims

The course aims to develop students' knowledge of the microbial communities that reside within or upon us, and how they impact our health and disease processes. It is designed for students who wish to improve their background knowledge and skills prior to applying for a PhD studentship, and also for students who wish to enhance their knowledge and skill set for analysing and interpreting the large, multiple omics data sets that are involved in microbiome research.

Base campus

Guy’s Campus

The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Teaching methods - what to expect

The MSc Microbiome in Health & Disease consists of 4 taught modules (two covering microbiology, microbial diversity and host-microbiome interactions, and two covering computational analysis of microbiome, and systems and synthetic biology), followed by a lab-based research project. The taught component will run from September until January, with the research component running from February until August.

Teaching comprises conventional lectures, tutorials and computational workshops, supported by example sessions, project work and independent learning via reading material and online courses. During the computational modules, you will be provided with data sets to analyse for written and oral projects.

After completing the taught component, you will undertake a lab-based research project for which you will provide a proposal and subsequent dissertation and presentation under the guidance of a supervisor.

Teaching

The typical hours you will spend as you progress through your studies are as follows:

Lectures, seminars & feedback: 214 hours

Self-study: 1586 hours

Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks and self-study time is based on 31 academic weeks.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment. This course is taught primarily at King’s College London Guy’s Campus.

Assessment

You may typically expect assessment by a combination of coursework and examinations.

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they may change if the course modules change.

Extra information

Dr David Moyes

Course director, Dr David Moyes’ research interests focus on Host-Microbiome interactions; Microbiome; Mycobiome; host innate immune responses; epithelial cells and immunity. Recent research outputs include a collaborative and pioneering study to discover a toxin in the fungus Candida albicans, which plays a crucial role during human mucosal infection.

Dr Saeed Shoaie

Deputy course director, Dr Saeed Shoaie, is Lecturer in Host-Microbiome Systems Biology and Systems Medicine. His research interests focus analysing and integration of (Meta)’omics data in different cohort studies and aim to identify biomarkers and novel treatment strategies for human diseases, generation of genome-scale metabolic models for host and microbiome and apply them in personalized diagnosis and treatment. He has experiences in working with biotech companies and he applies these to set up stable collaborations between academia and industrial biotech companies.

Structure

Required modules

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take the following modules:

Microbiology & Microbial Diversity (30 credits)

Microbiome Analysis (45 credits)

Systems & Synthetic Biology (30 credits)

The Human Microbiome & Dysbiosis (15 credits)

Research Project (60 credits)

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Employability

This MSc course will prepare you for a career or PhD in one of the most exciting and cutting-edge fields of human health and disease. The topics covered will allow you to apply for careers in both academia and industry and will be relevant to a broad range of disciplines, including nutrition, metabolic disorders, microbiology and infection.

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £14,070 (2022/23)

International:

Full time: £29,310 (2022/23)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000.

If you receive an offer on or before 31 March, payment is due by 25 April 2022.
If you receive an offer between 1 April and 30 June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer between 1 July and 31 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer between 1 August and 21 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer from 22 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

Books if you choose to buy your own copies
Travel, accommodation and subsistence for face-to-face training blocks UK or other country
Internet access
Computer equipment
Personal photocopies
Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
Library fees and fines
Printing course materials
Society membership fees
Conference attendance (optional)
Stationery
Graduation costs
Binding for logbooks/dissertations – binding is not necessary but is optional
Examination fees (if not taken at venue in London)

Funding