Cancer Medicine

Overview

The MSc(Res) in Cancer Medicine will provide students with new knowledge of how precision medicine can improve and shape future healthcare. Students will gain hands-on experience of molecular techniques and the equipment/devices used in a modern molecular laboratory; the course will provide training in laboratory and research skills that are applicable across multiple scientific disciplines in a supportive learning environment. Central to this research-intensive programme is a 24-week Research Project (which runs throughout both semesters) where students undertake hands-on research training within active research teams. Through taught modules students will be able to evaluate how novel therapeutic approaches can be used to stratify patients into treatment groups for better clinical management (a concept known as stratified / precision medicine). They will observe the delivery of precision medicine through tours of the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre.



There are optional modules in the second semester allowing students to explore the fundamental principles of carcinogenesis and the translational approaches (including cutting edge technologies) which allow cancer scientists and clinicians to advance our understanding and treatment of cancers.



The Precision Cancer Medicine stream provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the hallmarks of cancer from the role of genetic/epigenetic alterations, cell cycle control and metastases/angiogenesis to the development of applications to help diagnose cancers earlier, improve treatments, rationally design clinical trials and reduce chemotherapy drug resistance.



The Radiation Oncology and Medical Imaging (ROMI) stream will develop skills in understanding the biological principles of radiotherapy and its clinical applications in the treatment of cancer. This will include the physical and chemical basis of radiation interactions and the biological consequences of radiation exposures. Clinical aspects of Radiation Oncology will be covered including principle of advanced radiotherapy delivery, cancer imaging techniques and biomarker discovery.



The Oncology Drug Discovery (ODD) stream will give an insight into both academic and biotech drug development. The course will provide an understanding of what makes an interesting anti-cancer drug target and how, as researchers, we validate this target for clinical use. In addition, you will also gain an understanding of the different drug development platforms that are currently employed for hit identification, hit to lead development and pre-clinical candidate selection.



Importantly, all streams show how our improved understanding of the molecular processes driving cancer growth and spread can be ‘translated’ through research-intensive MSc projects to improve the treatment and survival of cancer patients.



Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.



Please note a deposit will be required to guarantee a place on the course. Due to high demand, applications may not be considered if the course has reached its maximum class size and will be placed on a waiting list. Please see deposit terms and conditions for more details.



Course Structure

1. Students may enrol on a full time (1 year) basis. Students will undertake 3 core modules (40 CATS), 2 of which are in Semester 1 and the 3rd core module is taken throughout the year.



There are three optional streams within Semester 2 but optional modules (ie. Streams) will only run with a minimum of 6 participants.



1. Precision Cancer Medicine Stream (20 CATS)

2. Radiation Oncology and Medical Imaging (ROMI) Stream (20 CATS)

3. Oncology Drug Discovery (ODD) stream (20 CATS)



Students also undertake an intensive 24 week research project (60 CATS)



The MSc(Res) is awarded to students who successfully complete 120 CATS of taught modules and a Research Project. (60 CATS)



A Diploma Exit qualification is available to those students who have successfully completed 120 CATS points.



A Certificate Exit qualification is available to those students who have successfully completed 60 CATS points.

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.



Year 1

Core Modules

Cancer Biology (10 credits)

Dissertation (60 credits)

Research Project (60 credits)

Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (10 credits)

Research Translation: from Concept to Commercialisation (20 credits)



Optional Modules

Cancer Genetics and Genomics (10 credits)

Translational Cancer Medicine (10 credits)

Biology of Radiotherapy (10 credits)

Target Identification and Development in Drug Discovery (10 credits)

Drug Optimization, Drug Delivery and Clinical Trials (10 credits)

Clinical Radiation Biology and Imaging (10 credits)

Graduate

Normally a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a relevant biological subject. Evidence of equivalent professional qualifications (MBBS, BDS or BVSc) or experience will be considered on an individual basis.



Intercalating Medical and Dental Applicants:

External:

An external medical or dental student wishing to intercalate will be considered if:

A) They have successfully completed all assessments at first attempt for the year in which they are applying.

B) Achieved at least an overall Upper Second Class Honours degree standard as determined by their University



Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal.



Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course.

Assessment is by a combination of oral presentations and written assignments. The research project is written up as a dissertation.

1 academic year full-time.

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects

Introduction

This programme will equip you with the skills to work in a translational medicine setting in an academic or hospital environment and in the biotech/ pharmaceutical industries. You’ll gain an insight into the financial, management and entrepreneurial aspects of translational research, so you may end up working in industry or potentially initiating a spin-out company of your own. You will also be able, should you wish, to progress to a PhD in a biomedical discipline.



Employment after the Course

As this is a research intensive degree many of our students go on to pursue further PhD study in healthcare research within the Institute of Health Sciences here at Queen’s and further afield at other academic institutions. Others go on to work in a wide variety of roles in both the private and public sector here in Northern Ireland and internationally.



The following are some of the jobs they have taken on:

• Scientist, Randox

• Research Assistant Curtin University, Perth, Australia

• Assistant Peer Review Officer- BBSRC

• Project Coordinator Almac Group

• Research Project Coordinator, Almac Diagnostics

• Graduate Software Engineer BT TSO