Pre-Masters Programme in Science and Engineering (2-Terms), Leading to Master of Science in Genomic Approaches to Drug Discovery Study Group - The University of Sheffield international College, UK

The Pre-Masters programme at the International College offers a path to a masters for international students at the University of Sheffield. This programme is designed in collaboration with the University and is delivered by Study Group.

Pre-Masters in Science and Engineering
The Pre-Masters in Science and Engineering will introduce you to carrying out lab experiments and analysing statistics for research projects. This programme leads to a number of postgraduate engineering and science degrees in the engineering and science faculties at the University.

Once you complete your Pre-Masters in Science and Engineering and achieve the required grades, you can enter into the postgraduate degree at the University of Sheffield.

Leading to: Genomic Approaches to Drug Discovery MSc

This unique research-led masters course is for students who are fascinated by genomic technologies. You'll be provided with practical laboratory training in drug screening and gene discovery, using the latest automated genomics techniques.

We’re home to the internationally renowned Sheffield RNAi Screening Facility (SRSF), which is kitted out with the same pioneering equipment that’s used by pharmaceutical companies around the world. During your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to work within the purpose-built SRSF and train to use technologies for drug screening, laboratory automation, cellular assays, imaging and processing.

You’ll learn how to use high-throughput machinery that you’ll find in industrial research facilities and develop skills in techniques including genome editing, 3D cell culture, robotics, and functional genomic screening. You’ll also discover how academic labs, as well as those in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries use these same cutting-edge techniques to identify candidates for potential therapies. We’ll then show you how to program a Hamilton Star liquid handling robot, used in many automation laboratories, as well as how to use and write algorithms for High Content Microscopy.

Practical training will be supported by theoretical sessions, teaching you about the latest techniques including T-cell therapies, antibodies, gene therapy, cell therapy, CRISPR, RNAi and clinical trials, so that you develop an appreciation of every step that’s involved in the academic and commercial drug discovery process.

The most substantial part of the course is the research project. You’ll spend three months working within the SRSF, honing your professional skills in the use of pharmacogenomics. You’ll choose your research area from a range of projects to match your future career aspirations. This could cover cancer drug screening, target identification, gene delivery or peptide therapy projects. You could even choose to do a project away from the SRSF in another lab within the School of Biosciences.

Example research projects include:

• An in vivo chemical screen for antagonists of an adhesion
• GPCR signalling pathway in zebrafish
• New strategies for cancer drug development: protein-protein interaction inhibitors to inhibit the critical cancer target Fen1
• Understanding hypothalamic development: a scRNA seq approach

This course will give you the practical experience you need for an exciting career in the field of drug discovery. Alongside your training, you’ll also get direct exposure to industry leaders from a wide range of companies. You'll build your professional network and gain a deeper understanding of how pioneering techniques and equipment are used in practice.