Biomaterials

Entry requirements

The standard academic entry requirement for this MSc by Research is a lower second-class (2:2) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the MSc by Research (or international equivalent).

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MSc by Research degree comprisesthree taught 15-credit units, to be determined in collaboration with your supervisor based on your previous academicbackground and the proposed research project,and a substantial 135-credit research project.

The Department of Materials encompasses an exceptional breadth of research and training in materials, from design and development, to performance and protection and management and marketing. Our multidisciplinary research activity covers broad, socially relevant materials themes that allow us to meet the needs of industry and society.

Our research is organised into eight research themes, although research projects often involve researchers in other groups, other schools, other universities and industry.

Biomaterials research programmes cover an exciting area of research in the Department focusing both on fundamental understanding of interactions between man-made materials and biological tissues and the development of useful applications.

We have close links with the world's leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies and the clinical applications of our research impact many areas of medicine.

There are flexible study packages available, as well as an extensive range of postgraduate research studentships and projects, and funding, scholarships and awards with many of our research students sponsored by a variety of Department, University and industry resources.

The subject

The subject of biomaterials covers those materials that are used in the context of biology and medicine, usually to evaluate, treat, augment or replace any tissue, organ or function of the body. In surgery, a biomaterial may be a synthetic material used to replace part of a living system or to function in intimate contact with living tissue.

A new area in biomaterials involves the exploration of nanotechnology for drug delivery, biological sensing or tissue regeneration. Examples of these bionanomaterials are small particles that may be used for the delivery of drug molecules to target sites within the body or to detect diseased areas.

Biomaterials are produced using chemical, physical, mechanical processes and they often employ or mimic biological phenomena in order for them to interact with their biological surroundings in defined ways.

Application of research

The clinical applications of our research impact many areas of medicine, including drug delivery, cancer, wound healing, stem cell technology, repair and regeneration of nerve, tendon, cartilage, bone, intevertebral disc, skin, ligament and cornea.

Industry collaboration

We have strong ties with industry, including ongoing collaboration with Smith & Nephew, Johnson & Johnson, and Versamatrix A/S (Denmark), developing novel biomaterial based strategies for wound healing, bone repair, control of inflammation and drug delivery.