Molecular Medicine (MSc)

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

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

APPLICATION & REGISTRATION FEES

• 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

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Interested in applying for one of our programmes?

You will need to prepare the following documents for your application:

1. Verified copies of your academic qualifications
2. Evidence of English language proficiency
3. 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!