Postgrad Medical/Biomedical course for non-medic?

Cormac_Doyle

Yeah - this request is probably "out-there", but I thought I'd ask.

I was looking around, and as a science graduate with diabetes, I would like to do a post-grad course in Diabetes, but the only courses I can find are for Nurses (Nursing Specialist) and Doctors (Endocrinology or Diabetes Specializations). Does anyone know any post-graduate Medical, Biomedical, or Biological Science courses specializing in Diabetes that would accept a Science graduate to study ??

To be honest, the "perfect" course would be one that would combine my Computing and Biomedical Science interests.

The only problem is that like most people in Ireland at the moment, money is tight, so I will need to continue working while I do the course, so it needs to be presented in a part-time or distance learning format. (Money is also tight, but I'm sure I can find it for the right course ...).

I have an eclectic range of interests:

BSc Industrial Microbiology (UCD 1993-1998)
- with units in Genetics, Pharmacology & Computing

Diploma in Information Technology (DCU/Oscail 1998-2001)
- Forced to drop out due to family reasons (got married, had kid) before completing the Degree level modules ...

Pg Dip Computer Systems Security (University of Glamorgan 2008-2011)

If you know of any reputable colleges in Ireland (or further afield) that offer the sort of course I'm looking for, please reply below, or send me an email. (I use gmail - username@gmail.com ... where username is first and last names contactinated like this: "cormacdoyle").

kob29

If its a narrow area like diabetes you're particularly interested in then why not consider a research masters or PhD on a topic that combines your interests? Develop some diabetes relevant IT application or something? You don't mention wanting to change career or anything with the course so a targeted piece of research might hit the spot for you?

Cormac_Doyle

Since I haven't done any biological sciences in over 14 years, I somehow doubt I could drop straight into a research programme ...

No - I'd prefer a taught programme, probably at Pg Dip (FETAC 8) level.

Biochemistry/Immunology/Physiology/Endocrinology/Pharmacology ... the biological side of Diabetes is actually quite broad ... Add to that the devices in development - insulin pumps, CGMS, artificial pancreas, point-in-time Glucose testing, HbA1c testing (indicates average glucose levels by measuring glycosylation of Haemoglobin molecules), "1,5-AG" level testing (1,5-anhydroglucitol - suppressed when the blood glucose levels exceed 10mmol / 180 mg ... thus is a measure of the amount of time spent running High).

For example

Point of time measurement of blood glucose = 5.0 (average range for non-diabetic = 4.0-6.5) = is that good?
HbA1c measurement of 5.3% (equates to an average BG of 5.0) = is that good?
1,5-AG measurement of 4.5% (indicates massive post-prandial high blood glucose levels)

Cormac_Doyle

Hmm ... found one that looks promising ...

NUI Galway - national Center for Biomedical Engineering Sciences

offer a part-time / distance learning MSc program

http://ncbes.nuigalway.ie/msc-biomedical-science-via-distance-learning.aspx

Three 5-week modules per semester ... so 6 modules per year. 12 modules in total + a dissertaion.
Each module is worth 5 ECTS (total of 60 ECTS for the taught modules); dissertation is worth 30 ECTS.

- Can graduate with a Pg Cert in biomed science after completing the 1st year
- Can graduate with a Pg Dip in biomed science after completing the 2nd year
- Graduate with an MSc in biomed science after completing the Dissertation

Only downside ... the course is run on a two-yearly cycle with intake being
August 2008 / August 2010 / August 2012.

I suppose that gives me a year to save the money and make my application

has anyone heard of this course, or attended the course?

http://ncbes.nuigalway.ie/uploads/2010_MSc_Biomedical_Science_DL_Flyer.pdf