2012/2013

PhD (MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY)

NFQ Level 10, Major Award

The PhD (Molecular Cell Biology) is a full-time inter-institutional structured PhD programme running over 48 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Entry Requirements
For the PhD (Molecular Cell Biology), applicants must possess a level 8 or equivalent primary degree (minimum 2.1 honours or equivalent) in the biological sciences, medicine or pharmaceutical sciences. Applicants must submit a Personal Statement with their CV, along with the names and contact details of two academic referees. The Personal Statement should highlight past research experience and current research interests, as well as the applicant's intent to undertake PhD training at UCC. The Personal Statement is a critical component of the application; therefore the statement should reflect the applicant's professional goals, as well as familiarity with the PhD (Molecular Cell Biology) and faculty at UCC.

Applicants will be evaluated and accepted on the following selection criteria:

• academic qualifications;
• research experience and focus;
• quality of the Statement of Research Interests;
• intent, rationale and commitment to cohort-based PhD training;
• recommendation letters from referees.

Programme Requirements
This PhD Programme has a strong inter-institutional and interdisciplinary component and offers a wide range and diversity of modules as well as opportunities for inter-institutional exchanges between all of the partner Universities: University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, National University of Ireland Galway and Queen’s University Belfast.  The PhD Programme in Molecular Cell Biology involves completion of high-level, original research work undertaken in years 2 to 4 of the programme, leading to the submission and examination of a PhD Thesis in Year 4 of the programme. Year 1 of the programme consists of three programme-specific modules (ML6004, ML6006 and ML7003/CB7006), two, 6-month, laboratory rotation projects (ML7001 and ML7002), and a choice of two general, postgraduate training modules. Throughout Year 1, there will be special skills training workshops, designed to introduce students to various research techniques and methodologies, and seminars on topics relevant to molecular cell biology from local, national and international speakers. In years 2 to 4 of the programme, students will continue to participate in the programme via a molecular cell biology journal club (ML7004 and ML7005) and may avail of any training workshops and research seminars offered. Students in years 2 to 4 may also be assigned audit credits by the Programme Steering Committee for attendance at relevant modules on offer locally, nationally or internationally. Still, the primary focus of years 2 to 4 of the programme is high-quality, independent, biomedical research, leading to the award of the PhD.

Due to the cyclical nature of the PhD Programme in Molecular Cell Biology, a maximum of two attempts to pass specified modules is permitted. However, students have only one attempt to pass ML7001 and ML7002.  Therefore a student who fails to pass the First University Examination will be unable to proceed and must withdraw from the PhD Programme in Molecular Cell Biology.

Students registered in UCC on this programme will be governed by UCC’s regulations on monitoring and progression (available here).  This process may involve the inter-institutional programme team.

YEAR 1

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Core modules
Students take 70 credits as follows:
ML6004 Cell and Molecular Biology (10 credits),
ML6006 Human Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering Techniques (5 credits)
ML7001 Molecular Cell Biology: Advanced Research Skills I (25 credits)
ML7002 Molecular Cell Biology: Advanced Research Skills II (25 credits)
(Note: ML7001 and ML7002 are 6-month laboratory projects.)
and either
ML7003 Infection and Inflammatory Processes: Biological and Clinical Perspectives (5 credits)
or
CB7006 Cancer: Biological and Clinical Perspectives (5 credits).

Elective modules
Students select modules for postgraduate training to the value of 10 credits from those listed here. The choice of modules is made in consultation with the student's research supervisor and is subject to the approval of the Programme Coordinator.

Research
Near the end of year one, candidates will prepare, and orally present and defend, a 3,000 word thesis proposal facilitated by their chosen thesis mentor on their proposed thesis topic comprising a notional student workload of 10 credits. 

MSc in Applied Molecular Cell Biology
Students who pass the taught modules and do not wish to progress to a PhD may elect not to complete the thesis proposal and instead complete a research dissertation ML6007 to the value of 10 credits.  On successful completion of ML6007 these students will be conferred with an MSc in Applied Molecular Cell Biology. 

YEAR 2

Students take 5 credits as follows:
ML7004 Current Topics in Molecular Cell Biology I (5 credits)

Research
Students will undertake supervised thesis research comprising a notional student workload of 85 credits

YEAR 3

Students take 5 credits as follows:
ML7005 Current Topics in Molecular Cell Biology II (5 credits)

Research
Students will undertake supervised thesis research comprising a notional student workload of 85 credits

YEAR 4

Research
Students will undertake supervised thesis research comprising a notional student workload of 90 credits, leading to the completion and submission of a PhD thesis for examination.

Specialised Workshops (Years 1-4) not for credit:
Students will be expected to engage in an on-going series of specialised workshops for which credit is not awarded. Workshops may include:

1. Good lab practice, health and safety (year 1, 2)
2. Scientific report writing (year 1-3)
3. Scientific communication and presentation skills (year 1, 2)
4. Developing a thesis proposal (year 1)
5. Research ethics (human, animal, misconduct, etc.) year 2)
6. Bioinformatics training (years 2, 3)
7. Project and time management (year 2)
8. Grant planning and writing (year 3, 4)
9. Thesis planning and writing (year 3, 4)
10. Commercialisation, intellectual property (year 3)
11. The professional environment, CV development and career planning (year 3)
12. Interview skills (year 4)

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules, 2012/2013

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme are contained in the Marks and Standards 2013 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2012/2013

See also under the General Regulations for the PhD Degree

Programme Learning Outcomes for PhD (Molecular Cell Biology) (NFQ Level 10, Major Award)
The overarching requirement for undertaking a PhD is to complete a substantial programme of original independent research of publishable quality, submitted as a thesis.
In addition, on successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Design and implement experimental approaches to answer biological questions through two 6 –month laboratory rotation research projects and their thesis research;
• Apply the appropriate research methodologies, including state-of-the-art techniques and a knowledge of their limitations, to emerging questions in Molecular Cell Biology using newly acquired skills and understanding obtained through training workshops and the laboratory rotation projects;
• Promote a strong foundation and framework for self-driven scientific enquiry and questioning, critical skills in scientific reasoning and problem analysis, and the critical appraisal of scientific literature through programme modules, laboratory group meetings and a Molecular Cell Biology journal club;
• Investigate the current approaches used in patient diagnosis, and treatment options available for the management of different diseases associated with inflammation including cancer and inflammatory bowl diseases through a programme module taught predominantly by clinicians;
• Utilise acquired transferable skills of scientific research including experimental design, data analysis, literature survey, communication skills, teamwork and IT skills obtained through generic training modules and their laboratory rotation projects and thesis research;
• Demonstrate appropriate research methods and practice by carrying out well-supervised, high-quality thesis research projects at the forefront of international research;
• Engage in a collegial environment in which their thesis project research will be developed and shared at local, national and international levels.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc in Applied Molecular Cell Biology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Display advanced theoretical knowledge and practical understanding in the area of Molecular Cell Biology;
• Understand the basis and application of laboratory methods used in Molecular Cell Biology Research including state-of-the-art techniques and a knowledge of their limitations;
• Investigate the current approaches used in patient diagnosis, and treatment options available for the management of different diseases including cancer, inflammatory bowl diseases and neurodegeneration through a programme module taught predominantly by clinicians;
• Independently design, execute and interpret data associated with independent research;
• Complete a literature review in an area of scientific research;
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, showing initiative, self-organization and time management.