(MSc) Master of Science
Cancer Biology
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
Biosciences
MSC C13312
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A degree with an overall 2.2 or equivalent in a relevant subject such as : Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Genetics, Pharmacology, Medicine, Chemistry.
Your Degree should contain some Biology/Medical components including Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Drug Design, Immunology, Microbiology and Virology. We will consider applicants with an unrelated degree but with relevant work experience in Biology or Medicine.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Lakjaya Buluwela
Reader in Cancer Medicine
Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
The overall aim of this course is to provide students with basic and advanced knowledge, and hands-on experience, in modern molecular and cellular cancer biology, a general knowledge of current commercial applications related to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease, and a broad range of generic and advanced professional and technical skills.
- Offer students the opportunity to study cancer biology within an environment informed by current research in bomedical science, molecular and cellular biology, genomics and bioinformatics.
- Provide students with core theoretical understanding and practical / bioinformatics skills in gene and protein engineering and genome analysis.
- Provide an in-depth treatment of cancer biology, with opportunity to complement this with advanced study of a complementary specialised area such as molecular immunology or human genetics.
- Enable students to critically analyse and interpret biological data, including molecular, cellular and biochemical data using appropriate bioinformatic and statistical tools.
- Encourage students to develop an appreciation of the multi-disciplinary nature of cancer biology.
- Enable students to plan and conduct a research programme in cancer biology.
- Expose students to the business of biopharma, and provide them with practical guidance and an understanding of employment opportunities in this area.
- Enable students to develop skills that will enhance and widen employment opportunities, e.g. information retrieval, evaluation and synthesis, numeracy, IT skills, presentation skills, effective working with others, complex problem solving, self-evaluation and reflection, independent-learning ability.
- Allow students to develop their entrepreneurship skills.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Advanced knowledge and understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of cancer.
A2: A comprehensive, systematic knowledge and understanding of selected biomedical/biopharma applications.
A3: Fundamental and advanced molecular technologies including genomics, and post-genomic methodologies and their application in molecular medicine.
A4: The importance of bioinformatics in molecular medicine as a whole.
A5: Key regulatory and ethical issues that are of central importance in molecular medicine
A6: Research-based knowledge and research methods relevant in cancer biology.
Learning methods
A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 - lectures, seminars and coursework.
A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 - analysis of papers / case studies, self-learning.
A3 and A4 - laboratory and computer practical classes.
A6 - lectures and the research project.
Assessment methods
A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 - coursework (essays, action plan, literature review, group project report, oral presentations).
A1, A2, A3 - examinations.
A3, A4 - laboratory reports in scientific paper format and worksheets.
A6 - scientific paper format report of the research project, oral and poster presentations.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Systematically retrieve, select and integrate a variety of advanced biomedical and molecular information.
B2: Critically evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of a range of molecular and bioinformatics methods.
B3: Analyse a given problem and propose the most appropriate approaches in molecular medicine and tools for its solution.
B4: Analyse and interpret quantitative information such as molecular data, graphs, figures, tables and apply appropriate statistical tests.
B5: Integrate and link information across course components from different disciplines
B6: Review a research topic and plan and conduct a research project
Learning methods
B1, B2, B3, B5 - lectures, seminars, coursework, self-learning, practical classes and the research project.
B4 - lectures, problem sheets and practical classes, and the research project.
B6 - research project and its associated training seminars.
Assessment methods
Assessment Methods: B1, B2, B3, B5 - coursework (essays, action plan, literature review, group project report, oral presentations), and scientific paper format report of the research project.
B2, B4, B5 - examinations and scientific paper format report of the research project, oral and poster presentations.
B5, B6 - scientific paper format report of the research project, oral and poster presentations.
C: Practical skills
C1: Design, plan and carry out appropriate experiments in the laboratory effectively, working within current technical, regulatory, safety and ethical frameworks.
C2: Combine, apply and develop appropriate up-to-date biological methodologies (including bioinformatics) to address questions relevant to cancer biology.
C3: Describe and explain the principles and limitations of a range of current molecular and analytical methodologies
C4: Work as a member of a team, contributing to the planning and competent performance of research in molecular medicine and developing a venture organisation.
Learning methods
C1 - practical classes, the research project and associated training seminars.
C2, C3 - lectures, seminars, practical classes and the research project.
C4 - practical classes and the research project.
Assessment methods
C1, C2 - laboratory reports in scientific paper format and as worksheets; scientific paper format report, oral presentation and poster from the research project.
C3 - laboratory reports in scientific paper format and worksheets, essays, examination.
C4 - group project report and oral presentations.
D: Key skills
D1: Write clear, concise structured reports, including graphical material, describing complex and original material. Construct well-argued and clearly presented essays and reviews; give oral and poster presentations to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Write an in-depth review of the literature for selected topics. Prepare a professional Curriculum Vitae.
D2: Use networked PC operating systems for file management. Use common word-processing, spreadsheet, web browsing and email packages. Able to locate and use on-line catalogues, databases and appropriate software packages.
D3: Apply appropriate advanced statistical and quantitative methods to analyse data. Apply other advanced quantitative methods used in molecular medicine.
D4: Explore, analyse and find effective solutions for problems involving moderately complex information.
D5: Work effectively as part of a team to collect data and/or to produce reports and presentations, and organise a scientific conference.
D6: Work independently, set realistic targets, plan work and time to meet targets within deadlines and evaluate and reflect on own performance, and how this can be improved to enhance employability.
Learning methods
D1 - lectures, seminars, coursework, self-learning, the research project and its associated training seminars.
D2, D3, D4 - lectures, seminars, coursework, self-learning, practical classes and the research project.
D5 - lectures, seminars, coursework, self-learning, practical classes and the research project and its associated training seminars.
D6 - seminars, coursework, self-learning, practical classes and the research project.
Assessment methods
D1 - laboratory reports in scientific paper format and as worksheets; examinations; essays; literature review group project report and oral presentations; action plans; CV; scientific paper format report, oral presentation and poster from the research project.
D2 -.laboratory reports in scientific paper format and as worksheets; examinations; group project report and oral presentations; action plans; CV; scientific paper format report, oral presentation and poster from the research project.
D3 - laboratory reports in scientific paper format and as worksheets; examinations; class tests; scientific paper format report, oral presentation and poster from the research project.
D4 - laboratory reports in scientific paper format and as worksheets; examinations; essays; literature review; group project report and oral presentations; action plans; scientific paper format report, oral presentation and poster from the research project.
D5 - group project report and oral presentations; action plans; preparation of a scientific conference.
D6 - laboratory reports in scientific paper format and as worksheets; examinations; essays; group project report and oral presentations; action plans; CV; scientific paper format report, oral presentation and poster from the research project; preparation of a scientific conference