Cancer Biology and Precision Oncology MSc, PgDip, PgCert (Online learning) The University of Edinburgh

This new programme will equip students with the knowledge and skills required to tackle the challenges related to cancer diagnosis and treatment in the 21st Century.

The programme will integrate an in-depth understanding of the molecular basis of cancer with the knowledge and skills required to rapidly translate this understanding to new personalized treatment protocols and diagnostic tools. Individuals with this dual expertise are essential in the rapidly advancing field of precision oncology.

Courses will be delivered by expert scientists and clinicians from the world-renowned Edinburgh Medical School. They will include:

• Molecular Biology of Cancer 1: the hallmarks of cancer (including how the hallmarks of specific cancer types are targeted to improve patient outcomes)
• Precision Oncology 1: Multi-omics approaches in oncology
• Core data analysis and presentation skills in cancer
• Molecular Biology of Cancer 2: tumour host interactions (focused on immune-oncology)
• Precision Oncology 2: Cancer Drug Discovery and Clinical Application

Each year the syllabus will be fine-tuned to incorporate the latest advances in molecular understanding, technologies and precision oncology.

In Year 3, you will have the opportunity to undertake original research based on the expertise of cancer research scientists in the Medical School.

Why Choose this Programme?

Study something you are passionate about

Cancer-related morbidity and mortality are set to increase significantly in the next 20 years. This programme aims to develop practitioners and researchers who are focused on making a significant contribution to reducing the burden of the disease globally.

Learn at an internationally renowned Medical School

Edinburgh Medical School is internationally renowned in the fields of cancer cell biology and precision oncology and is a world leader in advancing research into real-world applications.

Grow a lifelong network of experts in the field of cancer research

Our programme team brings together experienced clinicians and world-changing researchers. Through ‘meet the scientist’ and ‘meet the clinician’ sessions you will expand your professional network of experts who are leading developments in patient care, clinical trials, drug development, and research.

Learn alongside like-minded professionals around the world

A big part of your learning experience is achieved through engaging with your peers, exchanging ideas, and developing different perspectives to solve problems. You will be part of a global community that, together with academic staff, will form the foundation of your network.

Online learning

Learning is delivered through:

• core and guest materials available for you to read, watch and listen to in your own time, including sound cloud interviews with patients and clinicians that will immerse you in real-world learning, putting you in the shoes of the clinicians, facing the challenges they encounter regularly
• opportunities to connect regularly with scientists/clinician-scientists in online discussion boards and live sessions
• assessments aligned to real-world activities, including grant proposals, patient materials and presentations, that will reinforce what you have learnt
• group assignments and online discussions with your peers that will expose you to different perspectives and new ways of thinking about a problem or topic

The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked 15th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

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

Programme structure

Year 1

In Year 1, you will study 5 courses:

• Cancer biology I: Cellular and Molecular Biology 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 skills: research techniques and science communication. 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.
• Cancer Biology II: 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: From bench to bedside. 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 twelve:

• Cancer vaccine sciences
• Cancer stem cells
• Reproductive tract cancers
• Comparative oncology
• Epigenomics and Cancer
• Lifestyle, genes, and cancer Infectious causes of cancer
• Introduction to R
• Innovative approaches to health challenges across disciplines
• Science communication and engagement for practice
• Bioinformatics and data management
• Data ethics and ownership

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.