The MRes in Medical Sciences is a combined research and teaching programme with advanced tuition in skills in health sciences research which is taken full-time over 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

This programme will welcome applications from intercalating medical students from University College Cork and other national/international medical schools. Intercalating students from University College Cork are required to have completed Years 1 to 3 of the MB, BCh, BAO programme (CK701), having passed the Third University Examination in Medicine and attained an aggregate mark of at least 60% in their Second Year. Students registered under the Medicine (Graduate Entry) (CK791) course are not eligible to apply for this programme.

For all external intercalating student wishing to apply to this programme, they must have successfully completed the 3rd/4th year of their medical programme (equivalent to the MB, BCh, BAO qualification) and must have achieved an overall profile which is 2.1 equivalent. External intercalating applicants should also ensure they have the permission of the Head of Undergraduate Medical Education or equivalent from their home University, which should be submitted to the MRes in Medical Sciences programme administrator at the time of application.

Students undertake a total workload equivalent to 90 credits over the 12-month programme, the principal element of which is the completion of a major research thesis of approximately 20,000 words. In parallel, students must take and pass taught modules to the value of 20 credits.

Students take 10 credits as follows:

MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

and two of the following elective modules to a total of 10 credits (as agreed with the Programme Co-ordinator):

PG6003 Teaching and Learning Module for Graduate Studies (5 credits)
PG6009 Graduate Information Literacy Skills (5 credits)
PG6014 Scientific Outreach and Communication (5 credits)
PG6015 An Introduction to Research Integrity, Ethics and Open Science (5 credits)
PG6024 Qualitative Research Inquiry (5 credits)

With the permission of the Programme Co-ordinator, students can opt to take other relevant modules to fulfil the elective requirement.

Students will also undertake independent research towards completion of a research thesis to a student workload equivalent of 70 credits on a selected topic in medicine.

See also Procedures for Submission and Examination of Research Masters Degrees.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MRes (Master of Research) in Medicial Sciences (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Carry out an independent and original research project to address an emerging question in Medical Science.
• Prepare and write a research project thesis in a critical, logical and systematic manner, in keeping with the standards of postgraduate research.
• Display advanced theoretical knowledge and practical understanding within a research area of Medical Science.
• Understand the basis and application of quantitative and qualitative methods used in Medical Science.
• Avail of relevant workshops or modules to increase scientific technical skills.
• Develop the ability to critically evaluate current research and research techniques and methodologies.
• Develop professional practice skills including team-work, negotiation, time-management, scientific writing and oral communication.