Principles of Protein Structure (Distance Learning) (Postgraduate Certificate) - 2012/2013 entry
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Overview
Proteins are fundamental to all life; our growing understanding of their structure and function is paving the way for important developments in molecular biology, biotechnology and medicine. This programme explores the underlying principles of protein structure at different levels, before applying this knowledge to an understanding of how proteins function.
Read our programme blog about recent research in structural molecular biology.
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Why study this course at Birkbeck?
- Study by distance learning, wherever you are in the world, with our internet-based teaching.
- May be taken as a stand-alone award or as part of our innovative distance learning MSc Structural Molecular Biology.
- Part of the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, a joint initiative with University College London.
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Course structure
The programme introduces the structure of proteins, and how that structure is related to both a protein’s sequence and its function. It provides a background to the discipline of structural biology, and particularly to the structure of proteins. You will learn:
- how protein structures are built up
- how their structure affects their function – and thus the processes common to all living things
- how knowledge of protein structure has led to the development of drugs against diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS
- how to use software to manipulate and explore 3D models of protein structure, and to view models of molecules in motion.
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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.
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Further study opportunities
This programme may be taken as a stand-alone Postgraduate Certificate or as part of our MSc Structural Molecular Biology. The programme has a modular structure, and you gain 60 credits on completion of the Postgraduate Certificate. To gain the MSc Structural Molecular Biology, you must earn 180 credits, part of which will involve an independent project.
If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in Biological Sciences.
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Careers information
Graduates may go on to careers in research or academia.
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Further details
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- demonstrate a detailed knowledge of protein structure
- explain the place of protein structure in the field of structural molecular biology
- display a basic understand of bioinformatics
- recognise and understand secondary elements in complex protein structures.
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) capable of running forms and graphics browsers such as Firefox, Netscape, MacWeb XEmacs, Mosaic etc
- reliable access to the internet
- some familiarity with installation of simple software packages and with transferring/downloading data
- familiarity with email.
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Apply now
- Application deadlines and interviews
We recommend you apply as early as possible. Later applications may also be considered, subject to availability of places. - Online application
You can apply online from the link below.
- Application deadlines and interviews