Clinical Trials Design
About
Stem cells have the ability to self-renew and change itself into any cell of an organism. Stem cells can help us understand how diseases occur. They can also be used for drug screening and regeneration of tissues and organs in animals. Stem-cell therapies are emerging as exciting new approaches for the treatment and management of human disease.
This module will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of current developments in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Students will study stem cell biology and stem cell research applications in medicine. They will also learn about the ethical and moral considerations of stem cell research and treatment.
Stem cell manipulation has been highlighted as an important and emerging biotechnology that will help shape the UK economy in 2040 and beyond. If you are interested in biotechnology and biology in medical research, then this is the course for you.
You will learn:
- Stem cell biology. Stem cell characteristics and sources.
- Bioartificial tissue and natural or biomimetic scaffolds for transplantation. Clinical applications of stem cells in haematology, eye disease and cardiovascular regeneration.
- Stem cell research and consideration of ethical and moral considerations. UK regulations and legislation for good practice when working with stem cells and human tissue.
Term dates
Start Date: 30 January 2025
This course requires on-campus attendance, at our Coleraine campus, during Semester 2 in 2025.
The short course is timetabled for the following days:
- Thursday 30 January 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Thursday 06 February 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Thursday 13 February 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Thursday 20 February 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Thursday 27 February 2025, 2:15pm – 5:15pm
- Thursday 06 March 2025, 2:15pm – 5:15pm
Dates may be subject to change.
Attendance
This course is delivered over a 6 week period, with students required to attend 3 hrs per week.
Location
This course is taught on the Coleraine campus.
Teaching and Assessment
This module is delivered by hybrid learning.
Students will learn through on-campus lectures and independent study.
Workshops will be on-campus and on-line and used for peer-to-peer learning exercises to develop and re-enforce lecture content.
An online learning environment will enable interactions between staff and students and provide access to learning materials and assessments.
The assessments consists of a written assignment and an open book online class test.
Academic Profile
Prof Diane Lees-Murdock, stem cell researcher and lecturer, current member of the UK Stem Cell Network.
Prof Declan McKenna, haematology and stem cell researcher and lecturer.
Dr Sarah Atkinson, ophthalmology researcher and lecturer, current member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
Further Information
Module
This is a 15 credit module short course - see the about section for details of content.
Entry requirements
Second class honours degree or better in Biology/ Biomedical Sciences/ Biochemistry/ Biotechnology/ Microbiology from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or an equivalent standard (minimum 50%).
Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).
In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are over 18 years of age;
- are eligible to work in Northern Ireland;
- are ‘settled’ in Northern Ireland, and has been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years; or
- are a person who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements