Course Title: Cancer Biology and Therapy

Cancer remains a leading cause of death, but great strides are being made in our knowledge of basic cancer biology as well as potential therapies. This course provides specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of basic molecular, genetic and biological processes associated with cancer together with an emphasis on the advances in pathology, diagnosis and therapy.  The award will prepare the student for further study to PhD level or a career in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or healthcare industries.

Modules include: Social, Ethical and Legal Aspects of Cancer Therapy, which addresses the social impact of cancer, diagnosis and therapy together with legal issues; Cancer Biology, which studies the development of malignancy, role of stem cells; triggers of cancer, molecular biology and tumour immunology; Drug Design and Delivery, which examines the development and synthesis of new drugs and their effects; Research Project, housed in a suite of dedicated biomedical research laboratories; and Research and Laboratory Skills.

Key Facts

Award Type:

MSc

Ancillary:

Additional awards:

Delivery Method:

Standard

Course Length:

Full time:
one year

School:

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Campus:

Preston

Partner Colleges:

Year of Entry:

2010

Start Month:

September start

Entry Requirements

For 2011 entry please contact our course enquiries team for entry requirements as these may differ from 2010.

Entry requirements for postgraduate courses vary and you are advised to check for any specific requirements with Enquiry Management and on our website. Normally the following general entry requirements apply:

Postgraduate Diplomas, Certificates and Conversion Courses:
A recognised British first degree or its equivalent, or a BTEC Higher Diploma/Certificate.

Taught Masters Courses:
A recognised British honours degree to a good standard, or its equivalent. Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits and in the light of the nature and scope of the programme or work proposed. Informal enquiries are welcomed and will normally be followed by an initial advisory interview.

Specific entry requirements for the course are:

Those applicants seeking entry with appropriate experiences will be required to demonstrate the suitability of this experience both on application and at interview.

Course Content

MSc Cancer Biology and Therapy comprises the following modules:

Social, Ethical and Legal Aspects of Cancer Therapy:  Addresses the social impact of cancer, diagnosis and therapy together with legal issues relating to clinical trials.
Research and Laboratory Skills:  Includes development of research skills and an introduction to a range of advanced laboratory techniques to allow planning of your research project.
Cancer Biology:  Looks at the development of malignancy and the role of stem cells; possible triggers of cancer, molecular biology and tumour immunology.
Drug Design and Delivery:  Examines the development and synthesis of new drugs and their effects; current chemotherapies; radiotherapy and surgery; drug delivery systems and strategies; photodynamic therapy; anti-angiogenic therapy.  This module also examines the cancer genome and the development of gene therapy.
Research Project: housed in the dedicated postgraduate biomedical research laboratories.

Course at a Glance

Year 1

Social, Ethical and Legal Aspects of Cancer Therapy:  Addresses the social impact of cancer, diagnosis and therapy together with legal issues relating to clinical trials.
Research and Laboratory Skills:  Includes development of research skills and introduction to a range of advanced laboratory techniques to allow planning of your research project.
Cancer Biology:  Looks at the development of malignancy and the role of stem cells; possible triggers of cancer, molecular biology and tumour immunology.
Drug Design and Delivery:  Examines the development and synthesis of new drugs and their effects; current chemotherapies; radiotherapy and surgery; drug delivery systems and strategies; photodynamic therapy; anti-angiogenic therapy.  This module also examines the cancer genome and the development of gene therapy.
Research Project:  Housed in the dedicated postgraduate biomedical research laboratories.

Links with Professional Bodies:

The course is offered on a one-year full-time basis, taught over three terms.  It includes 6 taught modules in the first two terms in which all lecture material will be provided on our VLE to enable access.

Assessment

Assessments are by a combination of examinations, essays, data handling and interpretation, log-books, practical reports, project reports, poster and oral presentations allowing a full range of skills to be developed.

Learning Environment

Teaching on the course comprises a diverse range of methods and styles including lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer-based learning, case studies and laboratory practicals. As well as the traditional methods of teaching, e-learning (based around a virtual learning environment) and problem-based learning techniques will be used.

Careers

A course module that will help you plan your career is available as a free choice module (called an elective), which you can study as part of your degree programme.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this course, our comprehensive How to Apply pages will guide you through the process. Here at UCLan, our aim is to encourage you to develop your potential and we offer a flexible approach to admissions, which reflects our commitment to all those who would benefit from our courses.

Prospective full-time students should apply via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Details and application forms are available from careers departments in colleges or schools or you can apply directly at UCAS.

MSc Full-time, one year

Money Matters

Most graduates of this University are entitled to a 20% reduction on tuition fees for our postgraduate courses, if self-funding.

Details of current fees are available from Enquiry Management,

University of Central Lancashire
Preston PR1 2HE,
United Kingdom
Tel: 01772 892400

Students with Disabilities/Learning Difficulties

The University is concerned to provide an educational experience of the highest quality for students with disabilities/learning difficulties. We strongly recommend you contact us before applying to find out if we can offer you the support you need. We are always pleased to hear from those enquiring about or applying to the University. Tel: 01772 892593 (telephone/text phone) for advice.

International Applications

"We welcome applications from international students for full-time study and the application procedure previously described should be used. Forms and literature on studying in the United Kingdom are available from the British Council offices or British Embassies throughout the world. You can also find lots of information about living and studying in the UK on the British Council's website www.educationuk.org"

Contact Details

Enquiry Management
University of Central Lancashire
Preston
PR1 2HE
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1772 892400
Email: cenquiries@uclan.ac.uk

More Information

You can visit the following websites for information about the city of Preston, the University and the Students' Union:
www.visitpreston.com
www.uclansu.co.uk
www.uclan.ac.uk

Open Days

You are welcome to see the University and all it has to offer at one of our Open Days which run throughout the year. However, if you would like to visit the University independently, you are welcome to join one of our regular Campus Tours. For more information about both, ask for Advancement Services on 01772 201201 or book online at www.uclan.ac.uk/opendays/.