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Cancer Biology and Therapeutics MSc

Start a rewarding career in cancer research and cancer treatment with our comprehensive MSc in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
Code
PGB132
Start
September 2024
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Fees
£10,500 (UK) *
£16,800 (INT) *
Course leader
Song Wen

Our MSc programme will develop your knowledge and understanding of cancer diagnosis and therapeutics.

Why study MSc Cancer Biology and Therapeutics* at Middlesex University?

This course will provide you with the necessary framework and general concepts in the cancer research field, as well as up-to-date and advanced knowledge of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

In addition, you'll be taught by experts who work on the frontline of drug development and drug delivery. You'll acquire useful novel laboratory skills using nanotechnology and the Multiplex drug delivery system, which will equip you with the essential skills for pursuing a range of career options. Once you graduate, you may also choose to proceed to further scientific training or you would be well-equipped to carry out research.

You will be working in laboratories equipped with up-to-date instrumentation including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI- Tof MS), liquid chromatography (LC)- MS, gas chromatography (GC)- MS, conventional and quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, Confocal microscopy, Licor Imaging system and fully equipped histopathology laboratory and tissue culture facilities.

What you will gain

Some of the benefits of joining us on this course include:

  • A chance to acquire laboratory research skills in drug delivery using nanotechnology which stands at the frontline of the cancer clinical research arena
  • Teaching from experts in the field of cancer research, including academics and those working in the clinical area
  • Opportunities to develop expertise in a variety of laboratory techniques in our modern and well-equipped laboratories, which form part of the Centre for Investigative & Diagnostic Oncology.

3 great reasons to pick this course

  • Excellent reputation
    Top 2 university in the UK – Times Higher Education Young Universities, 2022
  • Innovative drug development
    You'll acquire useful novel laboratory skills using nanotechnology to deliver potential anti-cancer agents directly to cancerous tissue
  • Expert teachers
    All our teaching staff are active researchers or practitioners, they teach leading research from the front line of the subject area.

Find out more

Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.

Our Cancer Biology and Therapeutics MSc will develop your knowledge and understanding of cancer diagnosis and therapeutics. The course focuses on up-to-date diagnostic techniques and emerging tumour markers and their potential applications in specific diagnostics for various types of cancers.

You will also be exploring drug delivery systems and learning to make drug carriers for targeting cancers using nanotechnology. We will train you to perform a range of molecular, cellular and proteomics laboratory techniques used for detecting tumour markers and monitoring therapeutic effects.

This course is made up of five core modules: advanced bio-analytical techniques, ethics, leadership, research methods and research project modules. Additionally, there are four 15-credit specialised cancer modules, covering cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The specialised modules are arranged as follows: you will take two modules in term one, which will provide you with the basic concepts of cancer, biomarkers, and general principles of cancer diagnosis and management and haemato-oncology.

Then you will progress to term two, where you'll get further exposure to the advanced knowledge and techniques in cancer diagnostic theories and laboratory practices along with drug delivery systems using nanotechnology.

In term three, you'll conduct a research project which will be based on the theme of cancer. You'll have the support of a supervisor, who will be drawn from the university’s research active staff and will have the appropriate expertise in cancer research.

  • Modules

    • Biomedical Ethics and Law (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      The module will provide you with an insight into a range of ethical and legal issues that relate to professional practice, to research with human and animal subjects and to human reproduction, particularly various forms of reproductive technology. It will also give you a broad overview of the relevant current UK ethical and legal regulations for research using human tissues. The module will further explore the ethical issues present in the rapidly developing area of genetic technology, including genetic testing and selection, genetic engineering, and the concept of genetic disease.

    • Advanced Bioanalytical Techniques (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      Through this module you will examine advanced bioanalytical techniques that are used in biomedical research, for the analysis of products, for improving disease understanding and for the analysis of disease biomarkers. It also will provide you with a detailed understanding of the principles, theory and practice of bioanalytical techniques, including safety, instrumentation, sample preparation techniques together with analysis and interpretation of analytical data.

    • Leadership and Management (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      The module will provide you with current theories and approaches to leadership and management in order that they can bring about effect positive changes in the team or organisation that they lead or manage.

    • Experimental Design and Statistics (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module will provide you with the tools required to design effective and efficient experiments and to test scientific hypotheses. The module will also equip students with the tools necessary for statistical analysis in a hypothesis testing context.

    • Advances in Tumour Diagnosis (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      The module aims to provide you with an understanding for tumour pathogenesis, screening programme for cancers, and an advanced knowledge of cancer diagnostics. You will explore different types of tumour markers, both existing and emerging, and their applications with regard to diagnosing different types and stages of cancers. A variety of diagnostic techniques will be introduced, examined and evaluated including mass-spectrometry and Multiplex Immunoassay. Data interpretation following the diagnosis are explained.

    • Cancer Therapeutics (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      The module aims to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of management strategies for cancers. Gene therapy, immunotherapy and adjuvant complementary therapy will be introduced and discussed together with conventional therapeutics for cancers. You will be introduced to nanotechnology as a method for facilitating drug delivery and explore various drug carriers that can be used as drug delivery systems. You will also explore various molecular cellular pathology techniques used for evaluating the treatment outcomes.

    • Haemato- Oncology (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      You will be  introduced to specialist diagnostic techniques used in Haemato-Oncology, providing deep appreciation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of leukaemias, lymphomas and myelomas. It will empower you with techniques to analyse the roles of the haematology laboratory in diagnosis and treatment of patients with these conditions.

    • Cancer (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      You will be provided with the knowledge and understanding of the principles of carcinogenesis, malignancy and metastasis. You will understand how to apply molecular techniques to the diagnosis and management of a range of common cancers and to apply cellular pathology techniques in cancer and gain experience of interpreting results from patient investigations.

    • Research Project (60 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module will empower you to develop your skills in planning and execution of an analytical, laboratory-based study and critical evaluation of real research results drawing on their acquired knowledge from other modules. In addition, it will enable you to develop your communication skills to enable them to communicate their findings in written and oral form.

To find out more about this course, please download the Cancer Biology and Therapeutics MSc specification (PDF).

How we'll teach you

We'll introduce you to essential information and knowledge through lectures, which will then by reinforced through seminars, group discussions and problem-solving exercises.

You'll take part in tailored individual or group presentations which address subject-specific areas. Then in term three, you'll take part in an individual project which will be supervised by an experienced researcher actively working in the cancer research field.

You’ll submit written work and give presentations, learn to carry out literature searches and analyse research literature, and undertake your own independent study in your spare time. This will include using a range of online resources which will be designed, to support the teaching provided by the lecturers.

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience. You'll also be supported by your personal tutor, usually your course leader.

Where will I study?

You will be based at our north London campus.

Timetable

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available at least two weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Teaching vs independent study

In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.

Typical weekly breakdown

A typical week looks like this:

Learning

Hours per week

On-campus

10

Online

4

Independent study

42

Learning terms

On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.

Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like Kaltura or Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.

Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.

Part-time study

You can also study this course part-time.

Academic support

We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.

Coursework and assessments

You'll be assessed through practical exams, your research project and dissertation, and through presentations and written assignments. These will include essays, laboratory reports, data analysis exercises, and papers made up of a literature review, hypothesis and research question.

Feedback

We will evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you will work in groups and assess each other's progress.

Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.

Facilities

You will be working in laboratories equipped with up-to-date instrumentation including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI- Tof MS), liquid chromatography (LC)- MS, gas chromatography (GC)- MS, conventional and quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, Confocal microscopy, Licor Imaging system and fully equipped histopathology laboratory and tissue culture facilities.

The Sheppard Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:

  • Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
  • 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
  • Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

How can the Cancer Biology and Therapeutics MSc support your career?

Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.

95% of our postgraduate students go on to work or further study – Graduate Outcomes, 2022.

Career paths

Some of the roles our graduates have gone on to include research scientists in industries or research institutes and previous students have worked for the NHS or diagnostic centres.

MDXWorks

MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.

Global alumni network

You’ll be studying with students from 122 countries who’ll become part of your personal global network. You'll learn how to work with a global mindset and make invaluable connections on your course for your chosen industry.

  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

The fees below are for the 2024/25 academic year:

UK students1

Full-time students: £10,500
Part-time students: £70
Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit

International students2

Full-time students: £16,800Part-time students: £112 per creditPart-time students: £56 per dissertation credit

Additional costs

We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.

  • Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
  • Free specialist software for your course
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Financial support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.

Postgraduate scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

  • The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
  • The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
  • The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
  • The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
  • Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees.

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Help from your employer

Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.

Work while you study

If you are not currently working, we can help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Dr Song Wen
Senior Lecturer

Dr Wen is medically qualified and has extensive experience in HPV associated cancer therapeutics and drug delivery using liposomal nanotechnology.

Professor Richard Bayford
Professor

Professor Bayford- is a bio-physicist and has enormous knowledge and vast experience in both teaching and the research in designing devices in diagnosing and monitoring cancer development and therapeutic effects from drug delivering system using nanotechnology.

Professor Stephen Dilworth
Professor

Professor Dilworth graduated from Cambridge University and worked as a researcher at a few prestigious universities before joined Middlesex University. Stephen's research focusses on identifying the essential changes that occur in cells as they become cancerous, using the oncogenic viral proteins made by the mouse polyoma virus as a model system.

Professor Ajit Shah
Professor

Prof Shah has around 20 years’ experience in pharmaceutical industry and 10 years in academia in teaching and management of analytical laboratory, specialising in chromatography and mass spectrometry. He is an accomplished bioanalytical scientist with a proven track record in the development and application of mass spectrometry to the measurement and characterisation of small molecules and proteins, proteomics, and metabolomics. This has been currently used for identifying changes of biomarkers from a range of cancer types.

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