MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care

Oxford's MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care is an advanced part-time modular course. It is delivered by leading scientists and experts with experience of taking nanotechnologies from basic concept through clinical validation to market realisation.

The course builds on the world-leading research in nanomedicine at the University’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering and other departments in the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division and Medical Sciences Division.

Who is the course for?

The course has been specifically designed for those who would value a part-time modular learning structure, for example those in full-time employment, both in the UK and overseas.

It will appeal to those working in the commercial, research or healthcare sectors who use or develop nanotechnology in their work. Applications are welcome from biomedical engineers, materials scientists, biotech-entrepreneurs, medical practitioners, chemists, pharmacists, electrical engineers, project managers in related industries, patent agents, legislators, as well as those involved in commercial or academic research in this area of science.

Course structure

The course is taken part-time as a mixture of online and face-to-face modules, consisting of six modules and a research project and associated dissertation. The programme is normally completed in two to three years. Students are full members of the University of Oxford and are matriculated as members of an Oxford college.

The course uses a blend of individual study of learning materials, together with group work during live online tutorials, conventional lectures and discussions and also requires the student to submit a dissertation reporting an original piece of nanomedicine-based research. The group sessions with tutors are particularly valuable because they offer highly focused learning and assessment opportunities.

The modules in this programme can also be taken as individual short courses. It is possible to transfer credit from up to three previously completed modules into the MSc programme, if the time elapsed between commencement of the accredited module(s) and registration on the MSc is not more than two years.

Course content

The course comprises:

• three online modules giving a thorough introduction to the fundamental science of nanotechnology and the behaviour and characterisation of nanoscale materials;
• three five-day modules taught face-to-face in Oxford explaining the scientific, regulatory, clinical and commercial aspects of the application of nanotechnology to medicine and healthcare
• an original research project of approximately 18 weeks to be written up as a dissertation

The three online modules can be taken from anywhere in the world with tutors who provide online support and electronically replicate the famed Oxford tutorial system, whereas the three face-to-face modules offer intense, focused lectures from Oxford academics from a range of disciplines with expertise in this field. Assessment throughout the modules ensures that students can monitor their progress.

Programme modules:

• Module 1: The Wider Context of Nanotechnology (online, October to December)
• Module 2: The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology (online, January to March)
• Module 3: Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology (online, April to July, with two-day component in Oxford at the end of the module)
• Module 4: Introduction to Bionanotechnology (in Oxford, October)
• Module 5: Nanomedicine – Science and Applications (in Oxford, March)
• Module 6: Clinical Translation and Commercialisation of Nanomedicine (in Oxford, July)

To complete the MSc, students need to attend the six modules and complete the assessed written assignments for each module, and complete a research project with dissertation on a topic chosen in consultation with a supervisor and the Course Director.

Course support

The course has a dedicated Course Director, Associate Director and administration team accustomed to supporting students undertaking distance learning and face-to-face courses. Students have access to staff at the University of Oxford’s Begbroke Science Park and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, particularly the Course Director, Professor Robert Carlisle and the Associate Course Director, Dr Christiane Norenberg.

Throughout the course, students can use the University of Oxford’s excellent electronic library resources to enable them to complete the assignment tasks.

Tuition and college fees

Please visit the following website for information on fees: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/msc-in-nanotechnology-for-medicine-and-health-care