Medicine, Bioscience and Society MSc

About the Course

The sociology of medicine and science is one of the most rapidly growing areas within the field of social science. This innovative MSc combines the inter-disciplinary approaches of Medical Sociology, Science and Technology Studies with Media and Communications to critically examine the cultures of medicine and bioscience and their interrelationships with society.   

The purpose of the programme is to enable students to combine training in key theories and concepts with the study of real world problems and issues. The programme will enable students to apply these theories and concepts critically, equipping them with the skills necessary to engage with debates in medicine, bioscience, and society.

We offer a unique and exciting approach to this field which draws on a large team of leading researchers across departments and Schools within Brunel that few UK universities can match.

Aims

The central aim is to develop the student’s understanding of the factors which shape the emergence and development of the links between Medicine, Bioscience and Society and deepen that understanding through the study of a selection of key areas.  

Specifically, the programme aims to:

• enable students to critically apply the key theories and concepts used in science studies and medical sociology to the shaping of ‘biomedical societies'.
• equip students with the sociological skills necessary to engage with the key debates in the interrelated fields of medicine and science. 
  
• broaden and deepen the student’s appreciation of common problems in the social study of medicine, bioscience and biotechnology and to explore the ways these are addressed in different societies.
• convey an understanding of the technical and philosophical aspects of multidisciplinary research on medicine, bioscience and society.
• provide a stimulating teaching and learning environment in a small and friendly Department and enable students to benefit from first hand exposure to world leading staff research.
• provide an open and supportive learning environment by encouraging students to draw on their own experiences and relate them to the courses.
• offer skilled supervision to enable students to attain a high level of competence in the design and execution of a biomedical social science studies research project which forms a major element of their assessment.

Enquiries

Course enquiries
Email sss-pgenquiries@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265951

For applications already submitted
Contact Admissions online
Tel +44 (0)1895 265265

View the School of Social Sciences website

Related Courses

• Media and Communications MSc
• Social and Cultural Research MSc
• Sociology of Health and Illness MSc
• Medical Anthropology MSc
• Psychological and Psychiatric Anthropology MSc
• Psychology, Health and Behaviour MSc
• Science, Technology and Contemporary Society MSc

Special Features

• The only Sociology Department to offer a cluster of complementary Master’s programmes covering health, medicine and technology from a sociological/science studies perspective:

• This choice of programmes enables students to specialise within this exciting field.
• A unique and inter-disciplinary approach enables students to explore modules across Medical Sociology and Anthropology, Science and Technology, and Media and Communications.
• Internationally renowned, the Centre for Biomedicine and Society (CBAS) has an expanded research remit (including forensics and media studies), offering the opportunity to study in a large, vibrant and innovative research community.
• Professors Clare Williams and Steven Wainwright are editors of the Journal of Sociology of Health and Illness.
• Strong links with international institutions and the opportunity to study abroad. These include the Rathenau Institute in The Hague, Europe’s leading centre for Science Policy Research, and Goethe University in Frankfurt, a leading international research university.
• The widest choice of modules and related programmes in South East England and one of only a few universities to provide options in Anthropology and Psychology.
• A focus on real world issues such as experiences of health and illness, inequalities in health, and the changing role of the health professions.
• Taught by renowned experts who are actively engaged in the media and are sought-after by policy makers –  find out more about our course team and their research projects.

Cluster programme guide:

Medicine, Bioscience and Society MSc

• Primary focus on medicine and bioscience from a sociological/science studies perspective
• Minimimal discussion of natural and environmental sciences, non-bio technologies and the social shaping and experiences of health and illness

Science Technology and Contemporary Society MSc

• Primary focus on science and technology from a sociological / science studies perspective
• Minimal discussion of the life sciences and health technologies

Sociology of Health and Illness MSc

• Primary focus on sociology and illness from a sociological perspective
• Secondary focus on innovative health technologies

Course Content

Typical Modules

All modules are subject to change.

Compulsory modules

• Medicine, Bioscience and Society
• Dissertation in Medicine, Bioscience and Society

Core modules

• Bioethics and Society
• Forensic Science and Society

Optional Modules

Sociology and Communications

• Global Media
• Body, Media and Society
• Issues and Controversies in Media and Communications
• Making Web Cultures
• Media Audiences
• Popular Culture
• Qualitative Methods in Social and Cultural Research
• Quantitative Data Analysis
• Science, Technology and Contemporary Society
• Science and Policy Engagement
• Sociology of Health and Illness
• The Creative Industries

Anthropology

• Anthropology and Global Health
• Anthropology of Biomedicine and Psychiatry
• Anthropology of Disability and Difference
• Anthropology of the Body
• Anthropology of the Person
• Kinship and New Directions in Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology in Clinical and Community Settings
  

Psychology

• Multidisciplinary Approaches to Health
• Psychology of Managing Illness
• Understanding Health
  

Typical Dissertations

Examples of dissertations in previous Master’s programmes run by CBAS:

• ‘Some babies are more special than others’: overcoming the shortage of donor oocytes in the UK.
• Changing perspectives of egg donation in the United Kingdom: a social science review.
• Learning to see: the role of the visual in dermatology.
• Mapping the evolutionary genetic discourse of depression in US news media, 1980-2010.
• Simulation models in dentistry: a sociological approach.
• Understanding evidence based medicine in the context of the standardisation/quantification social movements.

Teaching and Learning

You will be taught via a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and film.

Assessment

You will be taught via a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, film and examination (for some options only).

Employability

• We aim to develop 'distinctive graduates’ through a Master’s programme with an international focus.
• The Master’s encourages critical thinking skills and effective independent learning through a variety of student-centered teaching methods, styles of assessment, and a major research project.
• The Master’s is relevant to those who work in areas such as regulation, healthcare, or science, and aims to encourage knowledge transfer (from ‘University to work’ and vice versa) by encouraging a critical engagement with the worlds of bioscience and medicine.
• The programme adopts a research-led approach to independent learning.  The MSc maps directly onto the internationally significant research of our Centre for Biomedicine and Society (CBAS).
• The MSc enables students to debate a range of topics that are current and pertinent to the healthcare and science and technology sectors and improves graduate employability.

Careers

• Further study – PhD in a similar subject.
• Further professional study e.g. as a bridge to a degree in Medicine or Dentistry.
• A wide range of careers in the health and bioscience sectors – potential jobs after completing this course include clinical trials manager in a pharmaceutical company, research associate in clinical and non-clinical research studies at the interface of medicine and society, science writer, roles within medical charity organisations, and many more.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £5,800 full-time; £2,900 part-time

International students: £13,500 full-time; £6,750 part-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements

A relevant UK honours degree of 2:1 standard or overseas equivalent.  
We expect the programme will appeal to students from social science, humanities, and biological and other life science and natural science backgrounds. 

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• TOEFL Paper test: 580 (TWE 4.5)
• TOEFL Internet test: 92 (R20, L20, S20, W20)
• Pearson: 59 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT 65% (min 60% in all areas)

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.