Oncology MSc

• The nature of research; scientific methods of enquiry, pure versus applied ways of problem solving. The building blocks of scientific research: types of research (analytical, descriptive, experimental, and qualitative), scientific parlance (hypothesis, concepts, operational definitions, and dependent/independent variables), sampling procedures, and measurement issues (reliability and validity)

• Research and data collection methods: experimental research (developing hypotheses, variables, control, sample selection, design, validity); descriptive research (questionnaires, correlational studies); qualitative research and methods of obtaining qualitative data and analysing qualitative data

• Critical appraisal of literature- primary and secondary literature.

•  Importance of evidence based medicine; identifying a topic area, devising specific questions, discovering what is already known (reviewing the literature), determining feasible ways to answer the questions, including consideration of medical and research ethics and confidentiality

The module aims to equip students with the skills required to source and critically analyse relevant research and to apply the theories of evidence based medicine to evaluate relevant concepts in medicine.    

Students will gain an appreciation of aspects of data collection and analysis through lectures , practicals and computer-based sessions covering:

• The sample – collection, transport, storage 
• The assay – assay development, method validation, precision, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity
• Regulatory issues - quality control, SOPs, COSHH, risk assessments 
• Analysis – recording, raw data presentation, statistical analysis using statistics software, summary data and statistical analysis presentation, reference values, interpretation.

 Students will gain experience of a number techniques of relevance to their programme and may include:

• Gel electrophoresis & Western blotting
• Flow cytometry
• Molecular biology techniques (e.g. PCR)
• Immunoassays (e.g. ELISA)
• Histology & microscopy 
• Culturing methods – cell culture, culturing bacteria
• Cell counting methods

The module aims to:

• Develop an understanding of the theories underpinning modern analytical and molecular techniques of relevance to the biomedical and molecular laboratory scientist.
• Develop a critical appreciation of the uses and limitations of a range of analytical and molecular techniques relevant to the biomedical and molecular sciences through practical experience.
• Develop skills in collection, analysis, presentation and interpretation of data. 

This module is focused on the precision medicine approach, looking systematically at a bigger picture of a patient journey from a presentation to NHS with first symptoms to the treatment protocol passing the diagnostic process.

Students will focus on diseases or elements of the pathology or system of relevance to their programme.

The module aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of concepts important to our understanding of patient journey in NHS process. The module will focus on the impact of diagnostical procedures on treatment protocol in different pathologies. 

Studies the diagnosis and management of cancer patients. Areas include:

• The hallmarks of cancer
• Characteristics of benign and malignant tumours
• Diagnostic tools
• Metastasis
• Cancers of the blood
• Solid tumour
• Management of cancer patients

To provide comprehensive knowledge of and ability to evaluate prognostic and diagnostic challenges in oncology depending on hallmarks and bio-markers of different types of cancer.

Reviews current guidelines and their evidence base for the treatment of cancer. Areas include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Genetic approaches
• Immunotherapy
• Personalised medicine in cancer patients

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the treatment strategies for different cancer types based on evidence-based evaluation of recent literature.

This module introduces the student to several assessments and consultation tools that are used in different medical specialties. The module will cover:

-       How a diagnosis is made in the clinical setting

-       The science and the art behind medical decision making, including clinical reasoning 

-       The principles of Clinical Audit and Quality Improvement are quality improvement processes that aims to improve patient experience and team performance in different medical specialties 

The module aims to develop high standards in clinical assessment, to a level of best practice according to the available evidence base. Additionally, this module will enable the student to develop the knowledge and skills to evaluate the individual and team performance in clinical settings and compare it with the recommended standards. 

On completion of the taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. This knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project relevant to their taught programme of study. The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the dissertation module leader (Dissertation Co-ordinator). The subject matter may be related to any area of relevance to the area of study.

1.       To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate a research project of direct relevance to the programme of study and his/her personal interests.

2.       To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in the broad biomedical, clinical and medical science fields.

3.       To present the outcomes of the research performed in the form of a research article in a format ready for submission to a suitable journal and as an oral presentation 

• Overview of scientific research.
• Research and data collection methods.
• Ethics in research.
• Introduction to statistical analyses software (SPSS and/or other).
• Different types of data (nominal, ordinal, continuous [ratio and interval]) to determine an appropriate type of statistical test (parametric vs. nonparametric).
• Dependant and independent variables and interpretation of P value.
• Selection of appropriate statistical tests on the basis of sample distribution, data type, and study design.
• Data analysis for descriptive and experimental data
• Calculation of sample size and power.
• Interpretation of meta-analysis, survival analysis, hazard ratio, odd ratio and relative risk ratio.
• How to develop a research project.

1. To expose students to the essential elements in the process of conducting sound scientific research.
2. To develop students’ skills in the key aspects of data handling and statistical analysis in preparation for the planning and completion of the Research Dissertation.