StudyQA — Master: Cancer Pharmacology

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This is an exciting time to be involved in cancer therapeutics. Based upon a greater understanding of the molecular aspects of cancer, new opportunities for therapeutic intervention have emerged that are effectively 'target orientated'. These new therapeutics are quite distinct from the classical chemotherapeutic agents and they offer the prospect of truly selective cancer therapies that are tailored towards the individual patient's tumour. Cancer pharmacology plays a key role in drug development. In both the laboratory and the clinic, cancer pharmacology has had to adapt to the changing face of drug development by establishing experimental models and target orientated approaches.

The programme is designed to provide you with a 'state-of-the-art' course in modern cancer pharmacology that meets the demand of employers and provides an expert view of the available cancer medicines and the development of new cancer therapies.

It promotes advanced scholarship within specialised areas at the same time as the development of key transferable skills (in IT, communication, and time management) and research techniques. The taught component of the course provides the in-depth knowledge and skills necessary to work in cancer research, and is delivered across 2 semesters through lectures, workshops, practicals and 1-to-1 tutorials with ICT staff. You will then join one of our research teams to complete the MSc research project.

The programme has a central core of modules in the first semester which are designed to train you in widely used laboratory techniques, research methodology, and in critical analysis and thinking. The 20-credit Practical Skills in Research module is designed around common laboratory techniques and skills including ELISA, flow cytometry, Western Blot, statistical analysis etc. You will have a series of workshops to learn these techniques with a lab session where you carry out the procedure.

In the 20-credit Critical Appraisal module, you are assigned a topic under the supervision of one of our academics and are asked to write a 5000-word critical review. In this module, you will receive a wide range of training and advice on scientific writing, compiling scientific data, data analysis, scientific presentation etc.

The remaining 20-credit first semester module, Molecular Basis of Cancer and Cancer Therapy, provides you with the core academic knowledge required in this field. During the first semester, you will gain knowledge of the breadth of cutting edge research at ICT and either choose or suggest a research project plan.

In semester 2 you will study 20-credit Preclinical Models for Drug Evaluation module designed around protocols and techniques used in the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of drug potency and 20 credit Cancer Pharmacology module designed around recent advances in the development of cancer therapeutics. The remaining 20-credit module can be chosen from a list of options to reflect your career aspirations.

In semester 3 you will join research laboratories within the ICT, to undertake your 60-credit Research Project module. During this time, you are trained in specialist laboratory techniques and conduct your chosen research.

All module information is for 2019 entry, and is subject to change.

To be admitted to the programme, applicants must have an undergraduate Honours qualification (minimum 2: 2) or equivalent in a scientific discipline, usually within chemistry, biology, pharmacy, biomedicine, or related fields. Candidates who do not meet these entry criteria, but who can show relevant experience may also be considered.

For North American students a GPA of normally 2.0 and above (on a scale of 4.0), or an equivalent, is required.