Cancer Biology and Precision Oncology (Online Learning) MSc, PgCert, PgDip

By the end of this programme, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and a critical appreciation of how this understanding is translated to a clinical setting
• analyse and critically evaluate complex research outputs and apply creative and inventive thinking to develop appropriate hypotheses/solutions
• explain and communicate both basic and clinical cancer research effectively in multiple situations to diverse audiences
• apply an innovative and creative approach to problem-solving
• plan and lead projects on the molecular and clinical aspects of cancer research with increased confidence in your professional ability
• analyse, interpret, and present "big data" using a variety of applications

This programme is designed to enhance your career prospects and to develop your ability to apply laboratory research to personalised cancer treatment.

Some examples of who this programme will suit include:

• Health professionals working in a clinical environment (e.g., hospital-based doctors, specialist nurses, specialist GPs, veterinarians, pharmacists)
• those who are working ever closer with the Research & Development side of the business and would like to develop the skills and scientific knowledge to apply research to patient treatment
• biomedical science graduates working in an academic or clinical laboratory seeking a stepping-stone to a PhD
• professionals working in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
• mathematicians, chemists, or physicists wishing to cross disciplines
• professionals in pharmaceutical sales who regularly liaise with scientists and clinicians

This is a three-year online programme with the option of graduating after:

• 1 year with a postgraduate certificate (60 credits required)
• 2 years with a postgraduate diploma (120 credits required)
• 3 years with a Masters (180 credits required)

Year 1

In Year 1, you will study 5 courses:

Molecular Biology of Cancer 1: the hallmarks of cancer

• You will cover the hallmarks of cancer and learn how these influence the aetiology and treatment of the most common cancer types.

Precision Oncology I: Multi-omics approaches in oncology

• You will learn the basics of multi-omic technologies (to explore epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome) and be able to demonstrate how these are being used to improve patient outcomes.

Core Data Analysis and Presentation Skills in Cancer

• You will be given an omics dataset and be taught how to analyse the data with statistics in R, bioinformatic analysis, and digital pathology software. You will learn how to present the data to peers and to the public, and how to write reports.

Molecular Biology of Cancer 2: tumour host interactions

• You will explore tumour intrinsic and extrinsic conditions of the host that impact tumour initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. Specifically, you will investigate immune evasion and immunotherapies, the tumour microenvironment, and how metabolic and hormonal changes influence tumour growth. How this knowledge can be harnessed to improve therapies will also be discussed.

Precision oncology II: cancer drug discovery and clinical application

• This course will focus on drug design and mechanism of action from chemistry, and phenotypic screening to clinical trials and biomarker identification. You will learn from success stories of local drug discovery and benefit from input from specialist nurses, trial coordinators, and patients.

Year 2

You will select six electives from a choice of ten:

• Cancer vaccine sciences
• Reproductive tract cancers
• Comparative oncology and veterinary cancer
• Epigenomics and Cancer
• Lifestyle, genes, and cancer
• Infectious causes of cancer
• Data analysis with R
• Innovative approaches to health challenges across disciplines
• Science communication and engagement for practice
• Fundamentals of cancer with a focus on infectious causes

Year 3

In your third year, you will undertake an original research project with the support of a dissertation supervisor. The dissertation is an opportunity to further develop your expertise in an area of interest through an independent and original piece of research. You will develop skills in research techniques, analysing data, report writing and presentation.