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Molecular exercise physiology is an important new sub-field in sports science. It can be defined as follows:
Molecular exercise physiology is the study of genetics and signal transduction in relation to exercise. Molecular exercise physiologists aim to identify the genetic determinants of human performance on a molecular level and characterize the mechanisms responsible for the adaptation of cells and organs to exercise (Spurway and Wackerhage 2006)
Molecular and cell biology methods are now required to address many of the big, unanswered questions in sports science but few sports scientists are trained in these techniques. The major aim of this MSc is to address this skills gap by providing hands on training in techniques such as PCR and Western blotting for graduates of sports-related degrees. This will enable you to be employed in molecular exercise physiology or life sciences research.
You will also be introduced to molecular exercise physiology topics in order to enable you to understand and teach this subject. Mechanisms that make us adapt to exercise, genetic variations that determine traits linked to performance and the mechanisms by which exercise improves disease will be covered. The demand for teaching these topics as part of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees is increasing and the MSc should equip you for teaching this subject practically and theoretically.
Aberdeen has a long history in Sports Science teaching and research and takes a lead in promoting molecular exercise physiology in the UK.
The MSc in Molecular Exercise Physiology is a degree which aims to train graduates in molecular and cell biology research, molecular exercise physiology teaching and related careers. The key objectives of the MSc programme are to:
We offer MSc, Diploma and Certificate programmes in Molecular Exercise Physiology. The following courses are common to all three programmes.
Molecular Exercise Physiology methods (15 credit points)
The aim of this course is to provide hands on training in many of the techniques used in molecular exercise physiology including PCR, RT-PCR and Western blotting. Students who are able to carry out these techniques will have an important advantage when applying for molecular exercise physiology and life science research positions.
Mechanisms that regulate adaptation to exercise (15 credit points)
We now know much about the mechanisms that make us adapt to exercise but little of this is taught as part of sports-related degrees in the UK. The aim of the course is to introduce students to research in this area.
Genetic techniques (15 credit points)
An important part of molecular exercise physiology is to search for genotypes that are linked to performance-linked traits. In this course you will learn to carry out the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect known and unknown mutations in DNA. You will be also introduced to manipulating DNA.
Human population genetics (15 credit points)
In this module you will learn about the genetic laws that determine the genetic composition of a population.
The courses ‘genetic techniques’ and ‘human population genetics’ are also part of a MSc in medical molecular genetics.
The completion of the above four courses is required for the certificate in molecular exercise physiology. Students continuing to the diploma and master degrees progress to the courses listed below.
Molecular exercise physiology topics (30 credit points)
A variety of molecular exercise physiology topics will be covered in this course.
Students, according to their marks for the above courses, can continue to either a MSc project or diploma literature review:
Research project in molecular exercise physiology (90 credit points; for MSc)
This is a full-time original research project carried out in Aberdeen or at another academic institution in the UK or overseas, which covers a wide range of topics from method optimisation to mechanisms that regulate the adaptation to exercise.
Literature review in molecular exercise physiology (30 credit points; for diploma)
This is a literature review on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with an appointed supervisor.
Assessment
The courses are assessed by continuous assessment (online tests, essays and oral presentation) and by written examinations. The MSc project is assessed by thesis.
MSc co-ordinator:
Dr Henning Wackerhage
Institute of Medical Sciences
Foresterhill
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen AB25 2ZD
Scotland
E-mail: h.wackerhage@abdn.ac.uk
