MSc in translational medicine

Abstract

Translational medicine is a discipline that aims to maximise the application of knowledge gained in the basic sciences to patient care—commonly known as the “bench to bedside” approach. The MSc in translational medicine is run by the University of Edinburgh and is delivered as a part time distance e-learning programme. The course was designed by a multidisciplinary team of doctors and scientists, is chaired by Brian Walker (professor of endocrinology), and is directed by Douglas Roy (senior research fellow). This course is aimed at doctors of all grades, particularly those with an interest in research and drug development. The course is multidisciplinary and attracts students from basic science, veterinary, and pharmaceutical backgrounds from around the world. I began the course as a foundation year 1 doctor and am currently in the third year. I had heard that the translational approach to drug development is being adopted increasingly by universities, research institutions, and government bodies in an attempt to increase the number of novel drugs reaching the market and therefore becoming available to doctors and patients. I thought that gaining an …