Overview
What is Molecular Medicine?
Molecular medicine is the area of study that explores cutting edge advances in disease diagnosis, therapy and prevention driven by advanced bio-molecular research. The Molecular Medicine course shows how basic science is translated from 'theory to treatment'. Key areas of focus include cancer, neuroscience, genetic diseases, microbiology and immunology. It provides students with a unique perspective on modern-day molecular medicine and an appreciation for the importance of both basic and clinical research in drug discovery, molecular diagnostics and personalised medicine.
Do you enjoy...
- Learning how biological systems work?
- Understanding the molecular basis of disease?
- Carrying out laboratory work?
Molecular Medicine: The course for you?
Molecular Medicine is a unique collaboration between the School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) and Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI). This is the right course for you if you have an interest in topics such as immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and inflammation, neuroscience, endocrinology, microbial diseases, molecular haematology and oncology, diagnostics and therapeutics, the cell cycle, and cancer.
Molecular Medicine at Trinity
TBSI is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and provides a rich research environment for interdisciplinary collaboration with colleagues in medicine, pharmacy, chemistry and neuroscience while the Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI) operates from St James’s Hospital and is affiliated with the teaching hospitals of Naas General Hospital and Our Lady’s Hospice. In the area of biotechnology and biomedical research, Trinity has prioritised the areas of Immunology and Infection, Cancer, Neuroscience and Genetics – all of which are key components of the Molecular Medicine degree. Immunology at Trinity is externally recognised as an area of major research strength and the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity provides an excellent environment for young investigators to participate in innovative and high impact research. The schools research success is evident in their strong publication record which includes output in high quality journals including Nature.
In addition to highly engaging course material, students will gain experimental skills in a range of cutting edge techniques and technologies through practicals, internships in companies such as Ely Lily and 12-week laboratory research placements in the final year of the degree. The courses are designed to equip graduates to work in all major aspects of basic and translational research and focuses on development skills relevant to careers in molecular diagnostics and novel therapeutics, including immunotherapies and next generation biologics. The course content has relevance to both academia and the healthcare/pharmaceutical sector therefore former graduates have gone on to study medicine, engage in postgraduate research, and pursue careers in industrial and government organisations. Opportunities also exist in hospital and commercial labs as well as in clinical biochemistry, biotechnology, food science, teaching, information systems, communications, and management.
Graduate skills and career opportunities
Many of our graduates take up a career in industrial, medical or academic research. Some work in hospitals and commercial laboratories dealing with biotechnology, food science, pharmaceuticals or diagnostics. In addition, because they benefit from their training in terms of critical thinking, analytical reasoning and presentation and communication skills, our graduates are in high demand in careers not directly related to biochemistry such as communications, information systems, teaching and management, and accountancy.
Your degree and what you’ll study
First and second years
During the first two years, students intending to take molecular medicine as their final degree will take a range of modules in molecular medicine, biology, chemistry, mathematics as well as open modules in other relevant areas common to all Science students.
Third years
Core modules are: Proteins to Cells; Nucleic Acids; Molecular Basis of Disease; Research Skills; and Biochemical Analysis.
Fourth years
Core modules are: Neurobiology and Endocrinology; Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Disease; Molecular Haematology and Oncology; Microbial Diseases; Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions; Genomics, Metabolism and Disease; Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics; Cell Cycle and Cancer; and a Capstone Research Project in subject relevant to Molecular Medicine.
Click here for further information on modules/subjects.
Study abroad and internship opportunities.
The School of Biochemistry and Immunology awards up to two internships at the end of third year. The awards will take the form of salaries for six weeks to work in one of the research laboratories in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology. Our students can also avail of internships in various laboratories in the US ( such as the University of Massachusetts) and Europe. Pharmaceutical companies have also sponsored a number of summer internships for our third year students. Further information on the year abroad programme, and a list of partner universities, can be found at: www.tcd.ie/biochemistry/undergraduate/exchange-programme
