Integrative Systems Biology Masters – (M.Sc.)

Course Content

Many students are familiar with using IT and hence are not intimidated by the prospect of spending more time in front of a computer than in a laboratory. It is also becoming apparent in a growing number of undergraduate courses that modelling the biological system of interest is the way to make the discoveries ahead of the experimental work confirming the result in reality.

At the very least, the subject offers a way to choose which experiments are the most appropriate to carry out, so that the rate of successful discoveries in the laboratory will increase.

Through a mixture of compulsory and optional modules (worth 120 credits), the MSc in Integrative Biology provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

* The mathematical and computational techniques to make useful and effective models of biological systems including and spanning the physical scales from chemistry, through molecular and cellular biology, to whole organism anatomy/physiology and population biology.
* The information and informatics resources available to make these models.
* The application and understanding of Integrative Biology techniques to a specific research project.
* The role of multi-disciplinary work in Integrative Biology.
* The application of Integrative Biology in the private sector.

Please note that all module details are subject to change.

Once you have completed the taught components of the course, you will undertake a 60-credit research project, to be completed in association with biomedical scientists. This project provides you with the opportunity to undertake a major piece of independent research under the supervision of a member of the academic staff.

Course Structure
The MSc in Integrative Biology is delivered on a full-time basis over one year.

This course comprises 180 credits - you will take 120 credits´ worth of taught core and optional modules over the autumn and spring semesters before completing a 60-credit technology Part II project towards the end of the course. Your progression on to the project is dependent on you achieving the required pass mark during the taught modules.
Assessment methods vary across the modules but typically consist of a combination of:

* Written examinations at the end of the appropriate semester associated with the lecture-based modules
* Formal coursework assignments associated with the lecture modules
* Research project
* A viva voce examination
We also offer a Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Biology, which offers the same taught modules as the MSc course but does not include a dissertation requirement.

Modules
Experimentation and Computing TechniquesPrinciples of experimentation in crop science, basic statistical principles, experimental design, hypothesis testing, sources of error, analysis of variance, regression techniques, presentation of data, use of Genstat for data analysis. There are two routes through the module; one for crop scientists and one for all other students.Introduction to Computer ProgrammingA comprehensive overview of the principles of programming will be provided including such concepts as procedural logic, variables, flow control, input and output and the analysis and design of programs.Instruction will be provided in the Java programming language. Software EngineeringInstruction in object-oriented methods for requirements engineering and software design. Application of these methods during the development of a medium-scale software system. Experience of team working to break down a problem into a set of manageable tasks. Instruction in industrial notations to model and reason about software behaviour and application of these methods to software development and documentationCoordinated Physiological FunctionsThis module looks at the physiological basis of integrated behaviours. It covers hypothalamic control of the endocrine system, temperature and body mass, and integrative aspects of physical exercise.Plant Disease ControlThis is a course which deals with the applied aspects of plant disease control. Control strategies based on applicaton of fungicides, biological control and deployment of disease resistant varieties are considered. The relative strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches will be reviewed. Recent developments using plant biotechnology in crop protection will also be considered.Integrated PhysiologyLevels at which integration within physiology can occur. Communication as a paradigm. Vertical communication, horizontal communication. Non-linear nature of biological phenomena. Whole organism physiologies, including comparative, behavioural and evolutionary physiology and physiological ecology. Integration within systems physiology at various levels. Impact of functional genomics on physiological methods.Plant Cell Signalling (Postgraduate)The module will review the basic structure of membranes. The module then deals with how membranes and genes interact in the action of plant hormones and other signals from plant cells, pathogens and the environment.Biomolecular NetworksThis module provides an introduction to the sources of data on biomolecular interactions and the computing/mathetmatical techniques to construct, visualize and analyse biomolecular networks; more specifically sources of molecular interaction data and their quality, content and completeness, introduction to graph theory, techniques for the construction, visualisation and analysis of properties of biomolecular networks.Computing and Mathematical Concepts for Integrative BiologyThis module provides an introduction to the computing and mathematical concepts that lie at the heart of Integrative Biology which include: Binary representation of data, data standards and modelling Information and knowledge of representation in computational biology Computer representation of 3D objects and real-time changes in physical systems Binary operations in single central processor units and multi-tier networked systems Solving differential equations Series and numerical methods Linear stability analysis Literature Review & Project Design (Integrative Biology)This module requires students to write a literature review of approximately 3000 words for the research project chosen from a list of topics provided by academic research staff. This information is then used to build a research plan. Any safety training must also be completed.Post-Genomic Data and Integrative BiologyThis module provides an introduction to the ways in which post-genomic technology (PGT) data are interpreted through references to known biological pathways in PGT-data analysis tools and with optimisation techniques applied to holistic biomolecular networks. It also outlines the ways in which biological networks have been inferred from time series and/or genotypic variant PGT data using Bayesian networks, Markov models and genetic programming.Transferable Skills for Integrative BiologyThis module covers the full range of soft skills needed by professional scientists and managers in the Integrative Biology arena including: Written and verbal presentations skills The processes of job acquisition and development The cultures and drivers in different academic disciplines participating in Integrative Biology Group management Business establishment and development, especially with respect to the biomedical and food sectors Mechanisms for raising funds for research projects Dissertation: MSc Integrative BiologyComputer model or algorithm development in collaboration with a laboratory research group, and project write-up.Mathematical Medicine and Biology (2)Mathematics is applied to a wide range of topics in medicine and biology. Without assuming any prior biological knowledge, this module describes how mathematics helps us understand topics such as biological patterns and oscillations, how materials such as nutrients and endocrine factors are transported throughout the body, and are subsequently metabolised by, or are incorporated into biological macromolecules, tissues and organs. Applications range from the scale of individual cells to complete populations of plants and animals. Considerable emphasis is placed on model building and development. The module illustrates the applications of nonlinear mathematics and introduces basic techniques for modelling transport processes. Specific topics covered include: * model building, scaling and nondimensionalisation;
* active transport of macromolecules;
* cell cycle and cell metabolism;
* signalling networks.