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  • Structural Molecular Biology (Distance Learning) (MSc / Postgraduate Diploma)
  • 2013/2014 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • Two written papers, coursework and, for the MSc, two web-based dissertations.

  • Attendance
      • By distance learning: 6–12 hours a week.
      • October–September.
  • Duration
      • MSc: two–three years part-time.
      • PgDip: two years part-time.
  • Entry requirements
  • Fees and funding
    • Fees (2013/14)

    • Two-year programme

      • Part-time (home/EU students): £3975 pa
      • Part-time (overseas students): £7225 pa

      Three-year programme

      • Part-time (home/EU students): £2700 pa
      • Part-time (overseas students): £3825 pa
  • Location
      • Distance learning.
      • No need to attend College other than to sit examinations, and these can normally be arranged in your locality for a fee to you of £100-£200.
  • Teaching
    • All teaching is internet-based. The course material is released in several sections on a dedicated, password-protected website.
Study at Birkbeck | Postgraduate study | Postgraduate courses, 2013/2014 entry: browse by study mode - Distance learning courses | Structural Molecular Biology (Distance Learning) (MSc / Postgraduate Diploma)

Structural Molecular Biology (Distance Learning) (MSc / Postgraduate Diploma) - 2013/2014 entry


  • Overview

    • Our modular distance learning programme provides you with a grounding in the structure of proteins, and the main techniques that are used to study protein structure.

  • Why study this course at Birkbeck?
      • Study by distance learning, wherever you are in the world, with our internet-based teaching.
      • Graduates are well placed to study for PhDs, start professional research careers, or change disciplines to encompass this important area of modern molecular biology.

      • Part of the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, a joint initiative with University College London.

  • Course structure

    • The programme has a modular structure. To gain the MSc, you must successfully complete modules worth 180 credits (including 60 credits earned through project modules). To gain the Postgraduate Diploma, you must successfully complete modules worth 120 credits.

      The programme consists of three Postgraduate Certificate programmes (worth 60 credits each). You may choose which two modules you wish to study, but we suggest you study Principles of Protein Structure first:

      • Principles of Protein Structure: introduces the structure of proteins and how that structure is related to both a protein’s sequence and its function. 
      • Techniques in Structural Molecular Biology: gives a wide overview of the theoretical background of all the techniques commonly used in structural biology research. These include protein expression, purification and crystallisation, protein bioinformatics, X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and electron microscopy. 
      • Protein Crystallography: a specialist course for students who are following, or who intend to follow, a career in this area. It is mainly non-mathematical and designed for the biologically-oriented crystallographer (or potential crystallographer). You will complete a computer-based exercise in solving a structure using the molecular replacement method.

      The projects consist of  30-credit dissertations tied to each of the modules chosen. They are based on literature analysis and use of web resources. Due to the distance learning element there are no wet practicals on this course.

  • Study resources

    • Students interact with their tutors and fellow students through email lists, submit written assignments by email, and attend online tutorials in real time using a chat-room-based interface. They also have access to the electronic journals in the Birkbeck e-library.

  • Further study opportunities
  • Careers information

    • Graduates go on to careers in research, science writing, teaching and academia. The course is particularly suitable for staff already working in industry as graduates to enlarge their theoretical background to complement their practical experience. It also provides up-to-date study for teachers and science writers and is useful for physical scientists who wish to expand their knowledge into molecular biology.

  • Further details

    • Structural biology in drug design

      Structural biology allows you to understand how macromolecules work at the atomic level of detail. This is important, particularly in designing drugs which act at the molecular level to affect macromolecules. Increasingly, research uses a range of complementary biophysical and structural techniques to study protein–protein interactions. This requires that researchers have some understanding of what all these techniques can achieve. This programme is designed to give the theoretical background required to use this range of methods.

      Technical requirements

      There are some basic technical requirements for this programme. All correspondence will be electronically based. You will need:

      • regular access to a computer (PC, UNIX or Mac operating systems) with a modern, Java-enabled browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Opera
      • fast, frequent and reliable access to the internet
      • some familiarity with installation of simple software packages and with transferring/downloading data
      • familiarity with email.

      Disability applicants

      The course is particularly suitable for the physically disabled as it does not require travel to the College. It would also suit those who are hearing-impaired, as the mode of delivery is written rather than spoken. It is less suitable for the visually impaired, but could still be taken via the use of text-reading software.

  • Apply now