Haematology MSc

The module aims to equip students with the skills required to source and critically analyse relevant research and to apply the theories of evidence based medicine to evaluate relevant concepts in medicine.  

Students will learn the following:

• The nature of research; scientific methods of enquiry, pure versus applied ways of problem solving. The building blocks of scientific research: types of research (analytical, descriptive, experimental, and qualitative), scientific parlance (hypothesis, concepts, operational definitions, and dependent/independent variables), sampling procedures, and measurement issues (reliability and validity)

• Research and data collection methods: experimental research (developing hypotheses, variables, control, sample selection, design, validity); descriptive research (questionnaires, correlational studies); qualitative research and methods of obtaining qualitative data and analysing qualitative data

• Critical appraisal of literature- primary and secondary literature.

•  Importance of evidence based medicine; identifying a topic area, devising specific questions, discovering what is already known (reviewing the literature), determining feasible ways to answer the questions, including consideration of medical and research ethics and confidentiality

Module Aims

• Develop an understanding of the theories underpinning modern analytical and molecular techniques of relevance to the biomedical and molecular laboratory scientist.
• Develop a critical appreciation of the uses and limitations of a range of analytical and molecular techniques relevant to the biomedical and molecular sciences through practical experience.
• Develop skills in collection, analysis, presentation and interpretation of data. 

Module Content

Students will gain an appreciation of aspects of data collection and analysis through lectures , practicals and computer-based sessions covering:

• The sample – collection, transport, storage 
• The assay – assay development, method validation, precision, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity
• Regulatory issues - quality control, SOPs, COSHH, risk assessments 
• Analysis – recording, raw data presentation, statistical analysis using statistics software, summary data and statistical analysis presentation, reference values, interpretation.

Students will gain experience of a number techniques of relevance to their programme and may include:

• Gel electrophoresis & Western blotting
• Flow cytometry
• Molecular biology techniques (e.g. PCR)
• Immunoassays (e.g. ELISA)
• Histology & microscopy 
• Culturing methods – cell culture, culturing bacteria
• Cell counting methods

Module Aims

The module aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of concepts important to our understanding of patient journey in NHS process. The module will focus on the impact of diagnostical procedures on treatment protocol in different pathologies. 

Module Content

This module is focused on the precision medicine approach, looking systematically at a bigger picture of a patient journey from a presentation to NHS with first symptoms to the treatment protocol passing the diagnostic process.

Students will focus on diseases or elements of the pathology or system of relevance to their programme.

Module Aims

This module will focus on laboratory tests and analyses performed in the Blood Science laboratories, for the diagnosis and management of patients with a variety of conditions.

Module Content

Here we will discuss a selection of tests from a variety of laboratories including haematology, coagulation, transfusion, and biochemistry. The Haemato-oncology Diagnostic Service (HODS) departments (Immunophenotyping and Molecular) are also covered to provide a well-rounded understanding of the investigations that underpin modern patient screening, diagnosis and monitoring of disease.

We will discuss the diagnosis of a variety of disorders such as haematological malignancies, non-malignant haematological disorders, renal disorders, liver disease, and clinical disorders of lipid metabolism.

The module aims to give the student a thorough understanding of the strategies available to treat the different types of haematological problems and the evidence base available to support decision making.

Reviews current guidelines and their evidence base in the therapeutic detection, management and treatment of haematological problems, and novel haematological therapies. Specific areas covered may include:

• UK standards and guidelines for the therapeutic management of different types of haematological problems
• UK standards and guidelines for blood transfusion and bone marrow 
• Haemostasis – managing and monitoring
• Bone marrow transplant
• Detecting and treating anaemias
• Detecting and treating blood cancers
• Blood disorders affecting platelets
• Blood disorders affecting plasma

This module aims to expose students to the essential elements in the process of conducting sound scientific research and develop important skills in the key aspects of data handling and statistical analysis in preparation for the planning and completion of the Research Dissertation.

• Overview of scientific research.
• Research and data collection methods.
• Ethics in research.
• Introduction to statistical analyses software (SPSS and/or other).
• Different types of data (nominal, ordinal, continuous [ratio and interval]) to determine an appropriate type of statistical test (parametric vs. nonparametric).
• Dependant and independent variables and interpretation of P value.
• Selection of appropriate statistical tests on the basis of sample distribution, data type, and study design.
• Data analysis for descriptive and experimental data
• Calculation of sample size and power.
• Interpretation of meta-analysis, survival analysis, hazard ratio, odd ratio and relative risk ratio.
• How to develop a research project.

Module Aims

• To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate a research project of direct relevance to the programme of study and his/her personal interests.
• To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in the broad biomedical, clinical and medical science fields.
• To present the outcomes of the research performed in the form of a research article in a format ready for submission to a suitable journal and as an oral presentation 

Module Content

On completion of the taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. This knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project relevant to their taught programme of study. The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the dissertation module leader (Dissertation Co-ordinator). The subject matter may be related to any area of relevance to the area of study.