Advanced Medical Science (AMS)

What are the objectives of our course?

• To understand the basic principles of biomedical research.
• To be able to design, carry out and communicate the results of original research in basic biomedical science or clinical medicine.
• To understand the importance of the interface between basic science and clinical medicine.
• To be able to critically evaluate biomedical literature.
• To understand how the results of medical research are translated to improve the clinical care of patients.

What is the structure of our course?

Coursework

The two components (each 12.5 points) are:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Semester 6): This course is run by the School of Population Health.
Introduction to Hospital Medicine (Semester 7): This course consists of two months of weekly bed-side tutorials conducted by clinicians who are supervising AMS students in the Department. The purpose of these tutorials is to enhance students' understanding of how the results of medical research are translated into improving the clinical care of patients. Each student will assess a patient with a condition related to their research project and the present to the other students and the tutor. Discussion will relate to clinical and research aspects of the disease area.

Research

This is the major component and comprises two interrelated parts:
Research Project: This may be primarily clinical or laboratory based (relevant to clinical practice). Projects will be offered across a broad range of disciplines including diabetes, infectious diseases, gastroenterology and cancer, rheumatology, neurology, ageing, nuclear medicine and respiratory medicine.

Why do your AMS in our department?

1. You will join a successful and productive Department of Medicine.
2. You will gain excellent training in a variety of research skills. We have expertise in a very wide range of basic, applied and clinical methodologies within our Department.
3. We offer something a little different. Not only will you gain expertise in the research field of your project, but you will have the opportunity to learn about the 'bigger picture', particularly with regard to leadership and responsibility (through our unique course), and to the importance of the interface between research and clinical medicine (through the Clinical Assignment).
4. You will be working in a happy, friendly and productive environment where self-motivation is seldom a problem. You will actually enjoy the year!
5. We will offer a bursary for any student who wishes to continue the project through the November to January break!
6. We have listed brief outlines of the projects being offered. For further information on specific projects, contact the Supervisors using the address/numbers listed.