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MSc in Molecular Medicine
Conventional / Open & Distance Learning (ODL) Mode
What is Molecular Medicine? Basically, it is the specialised development of medical treatment through the fundamentals of cell, biological pathways and genome.
Advances in Molecular Medicine have facilitated major breakthroughs in disease diagnoses, management and treatment. Today, doctors are able to offer tailored cancer therapy with the improved understanding of human genome and gene pathways. Further advances in metabolomics and bioinformatics tools enable scientists and clinicians to predict drug response and improve treatment outcomes.
In Malaysia, there is growing demand for Molecular Medicine specialists especially with government’s initiatives to support the biotechnology sector with the establishment of Bio-Nexus company incentives.
The IMU Master of Science in Molecular Medicine programme is designed to cater for medical or basic sciences graduates seeking advanced training in cellular and molecular biology, genetics as well as drug development and treatment.
The curriculum provides equal emphasis on knowledge (coursework) and skills (research) with interactive lectures, case studies and discussion. Problem-based learning methods are used to stimulate analytical thinking. Students are required to propose research plans that will be put into action during the final semester. Similarly, students will have the opportunity to design laboratory management policy and product commercialization plans through the selective modules offered under the programme.
One unique feature of the programme is the flexible delivery of the coursework with classes held on weekends or online. Students also have the opportunity to conduct their research project in a related industry or their own workplace.
KEY FACTS
Degree
- Molecular Medicine (Master of Science)
- MSc in Molecular Medicine (IMU) & MSc in Genomic Medicine (QMUL) – Double Degree
Commencement
Total Duration
Part-time: 2 – 6 years
Mode of Delivery
Tuition Fees
A bursary of RM8,000 is available for international students joining the 2021 intake.
Download Brochure
ABOUT ODL
What is ODL?
Open and distance learning provides working professionals an alternative to conventional programmes at universities, giving them the opportunity to earn a university degree without interrupting their career. As Malaysia’s first and most established private medical and health sciences university with 27 years of dedicated focus in healthcare education, IMU offers a few postgraduate programmes via this learning mode with students having the opportunity to benefit from all the teaching and support that the University has to offer.
Benefits of ODL
Designed especially for students with employment, family or other commitments, this mode of learning provides flexibility and convenience for the student to schedule their studies around these obligations and around their lifestyle – allowing a student to plan and pace their own learning at a time and learning environment that is most suitable for the student. It also saves students from spending time travelling to the university, the costs of travelling to the university and the costs of staying near the university.
Teaching Methods
Teaching methods include a series of annotated lectures supplemented by videos. For each subject taken, students will be part of a student online community. Students will also be assigned a mentor who will be available to answer any questions and provide feedback on their progress.
Students will be assessed fully online via the in-course assessment assignments and end of module assessment assignment so they don’t need to be at the University to sit your exams. They will the receive their grades and feedback online.
In order to do this, students will be required to have a desktop/laptop, internet connection, a headset and webcam to participate in online tutorials and other group activities, access to standard office software – such as Microsoft Word and Excel, plus any standard browser, such as Chrome, Edge or Firefox and Skype for certain online sessions.
Your Commitment
Time will be an ODL student’s most important commitment – understanding, working through and reflecting on all teaching materials. The hours spent per week on their studies for the duration of the programme depends on module taken.
Support from University
ODL students are fully registered student of the University with all of the support and services available to them, the same as the on-campus students. Technical support will also be provided if students have difficulty in accessing the e-learning platform.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The IMU MSc Molecular Medicine programme consists of 2 semesters of coursework and a research project. New semesters commence in March and September each year.
Students are given options to conduct the programme under “Conventional” or “Open and Distance Learning” mode. For the former, all coursework classes are conducted on weekends while some activities will be conducted online. For the latter (ODL) however, all classes will be carried out using IMU online teaching and learning platform. Students that undertake the research project in the final semester will require to commit full time either at IMU or approved research institutes, and hospitals. The minimum completion duration for the programme is 12 months while maximum duration is 6 years. A student must complete a minimum of 40 credits (15 credits from core coursework modules, 5 from selective coursework modules and 20 from research project) to graduate.
Teaching and learning activities comprise both conventional and online learning approaches that integrated into lectures, case studies, workshops, seminars, presentations, assignments, discussions and tutorials. There are no laboratory practical in each coursework module, except in the research project.
Core modules are as follows
- Molecular Medicine
- Immunology and Infection
- Molecular Basis of Diseases 1
- Molecular Basis of Diseases 2
- Research Methodology and Scientific Writing (3 credit) Research Project
Selective modules are as follows
- Bioinformatics
- Laboratory Management
- Stem Cell Technology and Therapeutics
- Quality Management and Regulatory Systems
- Computational Drug Discovery Techniques
- Principles of Drug Discovery
- Clinical Research and Good Clinical Practice Entrepreneurial Leadership
The curriculum is reviewed periodically and is subject to change.
For the Double Degree of MSc in Molecular Medicine (IMU) and MSc in Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), besides the modules of MMM, the student will be required to take another additional 7 modules (2 cores, 4 compulsory, 1 elective) to complete the MSc in Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).
Core Modules
- Omics’ Techniques and Their Application to Genomic Medicine •
- Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data
- Quality Assurance in Genomic Analysis
Compulsory Modules
- Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Applied Genomics
- Molecular Pathology of Cancer and Application in Cancer
- Diagnosis, Screening and Treatment
- Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare
- Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease
Electives
- Clinical Study Design
- Economic Models and Human Genomics Professional and Research Skills
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
|
B. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
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Applicants are required to have obtained:
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For Malaysian Students Not applicable |
For International Students
The following categories of students are exempted from the above requirements:
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For the Double Degree of MSc in Molecular Medicine(IMU) and MSc in Queen Mary University of London(QMUL) track
Students are required to achieve an IELTS Band score of 6.5. |
APPLICATION & REGISTRATION FEES
Malaysian Student (RM) | International Student (RM) | |
Application Fees | 150 | 500 |
Registration Fee | 1,100 | 3,400 |
Refundable Caution Deposit | 2,000 | 2,000 |
Student Association Fee per Semester | 40 | 40 |
Tuition Fees (Conventional Mode) | 40,000 | 50,000 |
Tuition Fees (ODL Mode) | 36,000 | 36,000 |
Double Degree*: RM40,000 (Malaysian student) + GBP10,000 (approximately RM54,320) *MSc in Genomic Medicine (QMUL) – GBP10,000 |
- All IMU alumni who are self-funding their postgraduate studies and meet the eligibility criteria will be eligible for a 15% bursary.
- A bursary of RM8,000 is available for international students joining the 2021 intake.
- Application fee is payable upon submission of application.
- Registration fee and refundable caution deposit is payable upon acceptance of the offer letter issued by the IMU Admissions Office.
- Students must adhere to the “Policy on Payment of Fees“.
- For information on Student Visa Application fee, please check the “Visas & Immigration“
OUR TEAM
Faculty Members

Dr Ho Ket Li

Prof Dr Victor Lim

Dr Kenny Voon Gah Leong

Prof Leong Chee Onn

A/Prof Tan Eng Lai

A/Prof Gan Sook Yee

A/Prof Nilesh Kumar
In Medical Education, his principal work is on application of computer-based formative assessment in helping the students in learning better anatomy and application item analysis in evaluation of quality of Anatomy test items. He has published 25 research articles in Indexed journals and received several national and international awards for his research.

Prof Dr Ong Chin Eng

Dr Dinesh Kumar Chellappan

Dr Hazwanie Hashim

Dr Lim Lay Cheng

Dr Elaine Chan Wan Ling

Prof Teng Cheong Lieng

Dr Mayuren Candasamy
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Molecular medicine has been recognised as a major focused area of contemporary medical research, and had facilitated recent breakthrough in disease diagnosis, management and treatments. For instance, it is now possible to elucidate multiple metabolites and toxin derived from drug based on interomics approach, design highly specific and individualised treatments through genomics screening, bioinformatics and chemoinformatics assessment and enhance bioavailbility of new drugs by making use of nano-delivery.
The MSc in Molecular Medicine is designed for science and medical graduates seeking advanced training in molecular and disease-oriented research. This programme aims to deliver an exceptional curriculum to equip students with skills that meet the highest demands and expectations of scientific rigour. The curriculum is innovative and draws
on the expertise of our world-renowned faculty who are also passionate researchers.
Core modules present the latest scientific developments in molecular medicine that are delivered through innovative andragogy. Students will appreciate the role of simple and complex molecules in human diseases and the ways in which systems biology, computational biology and chemical genetics have transformed research strategies and methodology in stem cell technology and therapeutics, drug design and development as well as medical and clinical research.
Upon completion, career paths are available as research scientists in academia, research institutes or industries worldwide. Graduates may also continue their education as PhD students at IMU or elsewhere.
The objective of the programme is to produce highly competent clinical and medical scientists as well as researchers and professionals in the health and life sciences who are well-equipped with up-to date knowledge and understanding of the advancement in molecular medicine.
Applicants are required to have obtained:
- A bachelor’s degree with minimum CGPA of 2.75 or equivalent, as accepted by the HEP Senate; or
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent with minimum CGPA of 2.50 and not meeting CGPA of 2.75, can be accepted subject to rigorous internal assessment; or
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent not meeting CGPA of 2.50, can be accepted subject to a minimum of 5 years working experience in relevant field.
All students are normally required to provide written evidence of their ability in the English Language in order to study in IMU. The standard English Proficiency requirements are usually overall band score of IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 550 (PBT) or 79 (IBT) or MUET band 4.
Semester contents are available in the programme brochure [Download Brochure]
Semester contents are available in the programme brochure [Download Brochure]
Teaching and learning activities include lectures, case studies, workshops, seminars, presentation, assignments, discussions and tutorials.
In course assessment throughout the programme via written reports (case study report, critical reviews, assignments, CAL reports, scientifi c writing and etc.) and oral presentations in all coursework modules. Research dissertation, presentations and viva voce are used to assess research project. There are no end-of-semester examinations for all modules.
Teaching and learning activities comprise both conventional and blended learning approaches integrated into lectures, case studies, workshops, seminars, presentations, assignments, discussions and tutorials. There are no laboratory practical in each coursework module, except in the research project.
- The programme is delivered through insightful and innovative research-driven approach by our experienced and internationally acclaimed faculty who are enthusiastic about sharing their vast experiences in molecular medicine.
- Every student will have the opportunity to spend a minimum of six months engaging in a research project in any one of the IMU research thrust areas, in particular, bioactive molecules, drug discovery and delivery, population health as well as cancer and stem cells.
- We have close research collaboration with researchers from our partner universities. Students would have opportunities to conduct their research in one of our partner universities in the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand.
- Research and teaching activities are supported by cutting edge facilities and well equipped modern research laboratories.
- Students who are in full-time employment have the option of attending the course part-time due to the modular format of the programme. It may also be possible for them to conduct their respective research project at their workplace.
ENQUIRIES? CONTACT US
APPLY NOW
Interested in applying for one of our programmes?
You will need to prepare the following documents for your application:
- Verified copies of your academic qualifications
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- A copy of your MyKad or the identification page of your passport
These supporting documents needs to be attached electronically to your application. Please note that all of our programmes require payment of a non-refundable application fee after the application has been submitted. Application will only be processed once the payment for application fee has been made.
We wish you all the best with your application, and hope we will be welcoming you into one of our programmes soon!
WHY STUDY MOLECULAR MEDICINE AT IMU

An Established Private Healthcare University

Renowned and Highly Experience Faculty

Flexible Learning Options

Innovative Curriculum
The mode of learning at IMU would be via face to face and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) while the QMUL modules are via ODL. Additionally, the research project for the MSc in Genomic Medicine can be done at IMU or QMUL (joint supervision).

Research Partnerships
“IMU MSc Molecular Medicine Programme is designed to cater for medical or basic sciences graduates seeking advance training in cellular and molecular biology, genetics, as well as drug development and treatment. The programme prepares students for career opportunities in medically focused biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; and equips students with enhanced skills to carry out research at a higher degree in related fields. The coursework is conducted in a highly engaging and conducive environment to stimulate learning experience. Comprehensive practical training is also provided via hypothesis-driven and disease-oriented research project.”
DR HO KET LI
Lecturer & Programme Director
PhD (Biotherapeutic), Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)