msc in cancer therapeutics

MSc, PGDip and PGCert Cancer Therapeutics

Introduction

The MSc in Cancer Therapeutics is run by the Institute of Cancer(www.cancer.qmul.ac.uk) at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. The Institute of Cancer is ranked 5th in the country for research quality in cancer studies and is based in oneof the UK’s top four research focused medical schools (ResearchAssessment Exercise 2008). The mission of the Institute is to establisha major international centre of excellence in both cancer research andclinical cancer care on the West Smithfield site at St Bartholomew’s(Barts) Hospital and in Charterhouse Square.

There are now six centres within the Institute with over 250 researchscientists allied to a major Cancer Centre on the Barts site. This bringstogether an almost unique grouping of cancer expertise that means we are able to offer this learning opportunity at Masters level, bringingtogether basic, translational, and clinical aspects of CancerTherapeutics.

The taught element involves eight modules taken during the first and second semester. The final semester is spent entirely on alaboratory-based research project with a value of four modules. On successful completion of all 12 modules, students are awarded a Master of Science degree.

This programme is available as a full-time, part-time, or distance learning programme.

Introduction

The MSc in Cancer Therapeutics is run by the Barts Cancer Institute,one of the top 5 cancer research institutions in the UK (ResearchAssessment Exercise 2008). The Institute is part of the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, Universityof London, and is based at the Charterhouse Square campus in theheart of the City of London.

The MSc Cancer Therapeutics programme is taught by experts in thefield. The taught element takes place over semester one and two andsemester three is usually spent on a laboratory based project in anactive research group in one of our six research centres.

This programme is available as a full-time, part-time, or distancelearning programme at the MSc, postgraduate diploma andpostgraduate certificate level.

Queen Mary, University of London 03

Contents

Barts Cancer Institute 04

Programme information 05• Learning objectives• Career prospects

Programme structure 06•Programme outline• Core modules• Module options• Laboratory project• Programme timetable

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies 11• Teaching strategy• Additional learning and support• Assessment strategy

Student experience 12

Further information 13•Admission criteria• Information enquiries• How to apply

Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry 14•Our Campus• Queen Mary, University of London

Barts Cancer Institute – a Centre of Excellence

The MSc in CancerTherapeutics at the BartsCancer Institute is taught byrenowned experts in the fieldand the innovative learningenvironment offers you anexceptional educationalexperience, exposure tomodern techniques and stateof the art laboratories. We arecommitted to developing thenext generation of scientistsand clinicians. The Barts Cancer Institute, part of the Barts andThe London School of Medicine and Dentistry,Queen Mary University of London, was formed in 2003 and in a short space of time has becomeone of the leading cancer research institutions in the UK.

We were awarded Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence status in 2009 and have continuedto move towards our goal of establishing acomprehensive cancer centre translating cancerresearch to patient treatment.

You will have the opportunity to work in one ofthese research centres as part of your laboratorybased project. (Work based project are alsoconsidered.)

Our research centres:• Centre for Cancer and Inflammation

• Centre for Cell Signalling

• Centre for Experimental Cancer Medicine

• Centre for Haemato-Oncology

• Centre for Molecular Oncology

• Centre for Tumour Biology

04 Queen Mary, University of London

Programme information

The MSc in Cancer Therapeutics is designed to give students a detailed and thoroughunderstanding of cancer therapeutics, based on knowledge of cancer biology, pathology, andresearch methodology.

This will provide you with a good grounding in theuse and evaluation of cancer therapies, whichwill enhance your career prospects and prepareyou to undertake higher level research in anacademic, professional or industrial setting.

This is a well-established course, taught byexperts in the field. We are able to offer such aprogramme because of the grouping of cancerexpertise that exists within the Barts CancerInstitute and our clinical academics based at theRoyal London Hospital and the new Barts CancerCentre at Barts Hospital, one of the mostadvanced cancer treatment facilities in Europe.

Learning objectivesOn completion of the programme, you will:

• Have a thorough knowledge of cancer biologyand pathology as well as the principlesunderlying cancer treatment

• Be able to demonstrate skills in gathering,recording, analysing, and presentinginformation

• Understand the regulatory frameworkunderlying clinical research

• Understand the principles of laboratorymethodologies applied to clinical trials

• Understand the steps involved in developingand implementing new treatments

• Be able to apply this knowledge in your ownprofessional roles

• Be able to contribute to the research activityand knowledge base in improving cancer care.

Career prospectsThe MSc in Cancer Therapeutics ensures that oncompletion you will have the relevant theoreticaland practical background, and a broad range oftransferable skills that will enable you to beprepared and competitive in the open market forjob and studentship opportunities.

Graduate destinations include:

• PhD Student

• Research Assistants

• Various aspects of cancer drug developmentand clinical evaluation in the context of earlyphase trials.

• Medical School

Each year we have retained a proportion of ourgraduates within the Institute as PhD students,research assistants or clinical trials coordinators.


Programme structure

Programme outlineAwarding body/institution:Queen Mary, University of London

Teaching institution:Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry

Name of final award:Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)Master of Science (MSc)

Programme Directors:Dr Simon JoelDr Richard Grose

Core modulesResearch Methods and Science Skills (2.0 unit module) The module contains both taught and practicalelements in which you will:

• Learn the principles and applications of a rangeof laboratory techniques and data analysis

• Be made aware of the ethical framework inwhich research is undertaken

• Gain experience in handling tissue samples

• Learn about and use a range of statisticalmethods.

Cancer Biology (1.0 unit module)This module covers cell and molecular biologyrelevant to cancer, including:

• The processes of carcinogenesis and DNAdamage

• The key cellular and molecular processesaffected in tumour development

• Key proteins and pathways regulating cellproliferation and cell death

• A broader concept of malignancy and itsenvironment

• Processes involved in invasion and metastasis.

Cancer Pharmacology (1.0 unit module)This module will provide teaching inpharmacology relevant to the treatment of malignant disease, including:

• The basic concepts of cancer chemotherapy

• Practical and theoretical aspects ofpharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

• The basic clinical and molecular pharmacologyof the major classes of anti-cancer agents

• Novel cancer therapies using small molecules.

Biological Therapies (1.0 unit module)This module will provide an understanding of thescience behind the biological therapies of cancer,and an up-to-date review of the current status ofpreclinical and clinical trials. The module will alsoprovide an insight into the ways that laboratoryresearch is translated into clinical trials. By the end of the module you will be able to:

• Understand the basis of biological therapy of cancer

• Understand the role of non-malignant cells andmediators in cancer growth and progression

• Understand the mechanisms by whichknowledge of cancer biology is translatedinto clinical trials.


Ablative Therapy (0.5 unit module)This module will provide an understanding of the science and principles underlying the use of radiotherapy and surgery in the treatment ofmalignant disease.

Site Specific Tumour Treatment (0.5 unit module)This module will provide you with anunderstanding of the basic principles andmanagement of the major types of cancer,including:

• Diagnosis and staging

• Treatment

• Prognosis

• Late effects of treatment.

Drug Development (0.5 unit module)On completion of this module you will havedetailed knowledge on the principles andpractice of drug development at all stages of the development process, including:

• Ethical and good practice issues

• What a therapeutic target is

• How novel therapeutic targets are identified

• How therapeutic targets are validated

• Early clinical trials methodology.

Module optionsImaging (0.5 unit module)This module will provide an understanding of thescience and principles underlying the use of anumber of imaging techniques in the diagnosisand treatment of malignant disease. Aims are:

• To introduce the vital role imaging plays in allaspects of the management of patients withcancer

• To provide an overview of different imagingtechnologies and their application for thispurpose

• To introduce the role of imaging in developmentof cancer treatments (drug, radiotherapy,surgical)

• To introduce the principles of the generation ofimages of all these technologies (ultrasound,computed tomography, magnetic resonanceimaging, nuclear medicine)

• To understand the risks of imaging to thepatient.


Programme structure (cont)

Pathology of Cancer (0.5 unit module)This module will provide an understanding ofcellular and clinical aspects of cancer pathology,focusing mainly on the histological features ofneoplastic processes in common tumours. Bythe end of the module you will have a goodunderstanding of:

• Normal tissue histology

• Tumour histology

• Effects of tumours on normal pathology.

Genomic Approaches to Human Disease (0.5 unit module)This module will provide detailed teaching on the principles and interpretation of large scalegenomic and proteomic approaches to cancer,including:

• The application of genomic technology

• The working principles of expression array and genotype array technology

• The principles of bio-statistical analysis ofgenomic data

• The advantages and limitations of the variousgenomic approaches described

• The use of proteomic approaches in studyingcancers.

Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology (0.5 unit module) The module will provide an intense andcomprehensive overview of Paediatric andAdolescent Oncology, from disease aetiology tonovel treatments, and aims to equip the studentwith a fundamental understanding of the subjectarea. Topics covered include:

• The aetiology of paediatric leukaemia andselected paediatric solid tumours

• The molecular aspects of selected paediatriccancers, and how understanding the geneticbasis of such cancers has improved moleculardiagnostic techniques

• The principles of paediatric cancer therapy,from past to present, including novel targetedtherapies

• The treatment of cancer in adolescent patients.

Cancer Prevention and Screening (0.5 unit module)This module will provide an understanding ofpopulation-based studies and methodology usedin cancer epidemiology, focusing on the valueof these approaches in cancer prevention and in the design and evaluation of screeningprogrammes. Topics covered include:

• The major environmental causes of cancer and their contribution to cancer worldwide


• The potential for reducing cancer incidence

• The role of screening in cancer control

• The prospects for the chemoprevention of cancer in the next ten years.

Students must select three out of the five optionmodules. We require minimum of six students foran optional module to run for the academic year.

Laboratory Project(4.0 unit module)The aim of this module is to give you theopportunity to complete a substantial researchproject within an Institute research laboratory. An appropriate project will be assigned to eachstudent according to their interests. This modulewill give you the experience of working as part of a research group. On completion of the project,you will be able to:

• Carry out background research into a project

• Design and implement their own experiments

• Interpret data and analyse their own results

• Prepare a scientific project report

• Prepare and give an oral presentationdescribing project findings.

Programme timetableSemester one modules (September – December)• Research Skills and Sciences

• Cancer Biology

• Cancer Pharmacology

• Pathology of Cancer*

Semester one examinations – January

Semester two modules (January – April)• Site Specific Tumour Treatment

• Ablative Therapy

• Drug Development

• Biological Therapies

• Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology

• Imaging*

• Cancer Prevention and Screening*

• Genomic Approaches to Human Diseases*

Semester two examinations – April

* Option modules – Availability of option moduleswill be subject to minimum student numbers.

Semester three: Laboratory Project (April – July)12 week lab project

Semester three presentations and viva – August

Winter graduationDecember


Programme structure(cont)

Mode of studyFull-time: Students will have two full days ofteaching in semesters one and two, and 12weeks in the lab for semester three.

Part-time: Students will have one full day ofteaching per semester for two academic yearsand can select which year to do the lab project(providing academic requirements are met).

Distance Learning This programme is now also available as adistance learning option, based on QMPlus.Students are able to follow each lecture online vialecture recording and slide/whiteboard content.These are uploaded automatically and alsoavailable as podcasts for students to listen towhile away from a computer.


Coursework/Practicals: All assigned work is submitted via QMPlus withstudents presenting posters and give PowerPointpresentations to lecturers using Skype. For theResearch Skills and Science module detailedinstructional videos are available withcomprehensive practical notes to provide a solidfoundation for laboratory work. Videos andpictures are provided for other demonstrations to ensure students are kept fully informed.

Lab ProjectFor those students who are working whilst doingthis course we strongly suggest they try to do aproject at their place of work where possible. To help them with this their course directorusually acts as an Institute supervisor to offerguidance on the type of work undertaken.Alternatively there are a range of non-lab basedprojects available.

Distance LearningCommunityStudents are encouraged to interact withteaching staff and other students via onlinediscussion forums and joint or group activities.Course Directors also arrange for a face to facemeeting through Skype each semester to ensurestudents are reaching their full potential.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies

• Additional support classes for academicEnglish language and IT packages are alsoavailable.

Assessment strategyTo be eligible for each award the student mustsatisfactorily complete:

• Postgraduate Certificate – four unit modules

• Postgraduate Diploma – eight unit modules

• Master of Science – twelve unit modules.

Assessment of individual modules will consist of multiple-choice questions, short answerexamination papers, practical assessments,presentations, and marked coursework. Therewill be variation in the relative contribution ofeach assessment method between modules.


Teaching strategyModule and project teaching will comprise the following:

• Seminars/lectures

• Practical classes in our dedicated teachinglaboratory in pairs or small groups, where youwill receive hands-on training for specificmethods.

• Demonstrations – these will take place inInstitute laboratories or the classroom to teachspecific technologies (expression arraytechnology) or methods (array data analysis)

• Student poster and oral presentations onspecific topics.

Additional learning and support • Individual tuition will take place for all studentsduring the four-unit project module, or forstudents who require additional input in aparticular topic area

• Mentors are available on entry to theprogramme. Mentors can advise on issues arising from the programme and onemployment and further training opportunities.

• You will be encouraged to attend the Institute’sweekly seminar programmes where you willhave the opportunity to hear internal andexternal clinical and non-clinical researcherstalk about their work. You will also be invited tothe Distinguished Guest Lecture series whichwill have internationally renowned scientistspresent their research.

Student experience


Graduate profile: Asmah SyedGraduate with Distinction

Prior to studying Cancer Therapeutics I had justcompleted my undergraduate study in BiomedicalSciences at Queen Mary, University of London.

I decided to pursue the Cancer Therapeuticscourse because I had been taught by many of theacademic staff from the Barts Cancer Institute andI enjoyed the material as well as the differentteaching styles.

I had always planned to study Medicine and I feelthat the course has been an invaluable experience in allowing me to thrive in the demanding field ofMedicine.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the taught modulesthroughout both semesters. The highlight of thecourse for me has to be the lab project, where youcan apply the techniques you have been taught toinvestigate an aim. The lab project allows you to work with a lab group and actually experience life as a research scientist. Nothing can compare to the feeling of getting your first positive results from an experiment you did yourself!

I completed the course with a distinction and I amnow studying Medicine. I feel that the Master’scourse has shaped my future because I now feel that Oncology may be the speciality for me.

I would highly recommend the MSc CancerTherapeutics course to anyone interested inOncology and cancer research. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on this course and I have gained much valued knowledge.

Graduate Profile: Firas Abed, Graduate with Distinction

The Cancer Therapeutics course offers a portal to the new world of cancer research. Through itsdiverse modules, the course covers cancer fromdifferent angles that may interest students fromdifferent backgrounds as it has a 'dish for everytaste'. Despite the fact that it is mainly intoresearch, prior lab experience is not an issue toprogress through the course. I did Medicine for my Bachelor Degree and I had near zero labexperience. This has not been a problem, however, owing to the Research Skills Module,which provides a starting point for those with no lab experience and consolidates lab skills for students that already have it.

The course not only introduced me to the availablecancer medicines and novel therapies, but alsogave me an insight into the steps required todevelop new medications and take them to clinical trials in the real world.

A powerful thing about the Cancer Therapeuticscourse is that you get to learn from your mistakes!Marking of all course work is given withprofessional feedback that I found extremelyhelpful and allowed me, with time, to upgrade my skills in scientific writing and presentations, an important goal of the course.

Contacting the tutors and the staff was very easyand you can get an answer for every question youhave in very short time.

Finally, I was lucky enough to practice what I havelearned in the course as I joined the CancerPharmacology Group at the Barts Cancer Institute. I am using the same skills I acquired during the lab project to trial new cancer medicines.

Further information

Admission criteriaThe programme is open to graduate scientists,nurses, clinicians, and other professionals alliedto medicine, working in healthcare, thepharmaceutical industry, or contract researchorganisations. We aim to enrol 20 students each year.

For admission to the programme you will needeither:

• A good degree or degree equivalent from arecognised academic institution

or

• An appropriate, equivalent, professionalqualification or experience acceptable to theProgramme Director and Institute PostgraduateTutor

Students for whom English is a second languagewill also require a minimum score of IELTS 7 orTOEFL 610.

Other factors contributing to selection for entry to the programme will be:

• Previous educational qualifications

• Work and research experience

• The reasons for taking the programme

• Future career and/or research plans

• Letters of recommendation.

Please see the university website for the currenttuition fees: www.qmul.ac.uk

Enquiries General course enquiries Teaching Centre Tel: +44(0) 207 882 2081email: [email protected]

Programme Director:Dr Simon JoelTel: +44(0)207 882 3821email: [email protected]

How to applyPlease visit our website for further details and online application information.

Alternatively please email us:email: [email protected]

Scan the QR code below to visit the MSc CancerTherapeutics mobile friendly webpage.

QR readers can be downloaded for free online.Data charges may apply. Please contact yournetwork provider for more details.


Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry

Our CampusBarts and The London School of Medicine andDentistry is a major centre of medical and dentalteaching and research in London. It was formedin 1995 following the merger of the MedicalCollege of St Bartholomew's Hospital and theLondon Hospital Medical College, both importanttraining institutions with long and distinguishedhistories. This united the strengths of theseinstitutions and the skills of the staff who areinvolved in clinical care and internationallyacclaimed research.

Barts and The London offers international levelsof excellence in research and teaching whileserving a population of unrivalled diversity.

At the heart of the School’s mission lies worldclass research, the result of a focusedprogramme of recruitment of leading researchgroups from the UK and abroad and a £100million investment in state-of-the-art facilities.

Barts cancer Institute is based on the beautifulgrounds of Charterhouse Square campus, in theheart of the City of London.

The historical and modern buildings set thebackdrop for this diverse area of London, whichis just a short tube journey from the new LondonOlympic Village.

The local area is buzzing with cafes, restaurants,and markets, with the Barbican Centre at yourdoorstep hosting year round events andexhibitions relating to theatre, dance and musicensuring there is something for everyone.

“Queen Mary has caught the mood of regeneration in east London.”Sunday Times Good University Guide

Queen Mary, University of London Queen Mary is an extremely attractive setting inwhich to study, offering first-class academicteaching and resources in one of the world’s mostdynamic cities. Founded in 1887 as the People’sPalace, Queen Mary became part of theUniversity of London in 1915.

We are currently ranked in the top 150universities in the world (THES World UniversityRankings 2012) and the work of our 2,800academic staff regularly features in the news –both in the UK and internationally –www.qmul.ac.uk/news/


This guide has been produced byMarketing and Communications for theBarts Cancer Institute – Teaching Centre– Pub9949

For further information contact:Barts Cancer Institute - Teaching CentreBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryJoseph Rotblat BuildingCharterhouse SquareLondon EC1M 6BQemail: [email protected]: +44 (0)20 7882 2081

The information given in this brochure is correct at thetime of going to press. The College reserves the right to

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Any section of this publication is available upon request in accessible formats (large print, audio, etc.). For further

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