Molecular and Cellular Medicine DPhil

The DPhil/MSc (Res) in Molecular and Cellular Medicine is a research-based course exploring ways to develop transformative new therapies for chronic inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions; training the next generation of leaders in biomedical sciences.<br/><br/>You will be based in either the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology (DPhil) or Botnar Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences (DPhil/MSc), working on a research project supervised by one of the principal investigators and your supervisory team. You will take part in the extensive training programme specifically organised for graduate students within the department.<br/><br/>The DPhil/MSc (Res) courses focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms of immune function and inflammatory disease, using a range of approaches from experimental biology to data sciences. <br/><br/>You will develop your research skills during your first year, including compulsory attendance at the departments fundamentals in biomedical research lectures. During the first term you will develop, in consultation with your supervisor, a training needs plan. Your training will be tailored to your specific project and personal requirements drawing from the vast range of courses available at Oxford and covering specialist scientific methods and transferable skills. Please note that there is no formal taught component; however, you will develop your research skills through a range of research training in your first year and by attending departmental/institute journal clubs and seminar series. <br/><br/>During the first term there is compulsory attendance at core lectures on a variety of research techniques and foci in the department including:<br/>- immunology<br/><br/><br/>- inflammation<br/><br/><br/>- tissue engineering<br/><br/><br/>- clinical trial design<br/><br/><br/>- epidemiology<br/><br/><br/>- rheumatology<br/><br/><br/>- orthopaedics<br/><br/><br/>- musculoskeletal diseases<br/><br/><br/>During your first year if studying full-time (first two years if studying part-time), you will be expected to attend a number of topic-related modules.<br/><br/>As a member of Medical Sciences Graduate School, you will be entitled to attend various workshops run by the Medical Sciences Skills Training programme which are run during term time.<br/><br/>Attendance on a two-day Data Analysis: Statistics Designing Clinical Research and Biostatistics course is compulsory (if you have had no previous statistical training) to assist you with appropriate research design. <br/><br/>As a component of your training, you will be expected to work with your supervisory team to write a research-specific literature review within the first year of your studies if studying full-time (first two years if studying part-time).