University of Bradford
Institute of Cancer Therapeutics
Award and Teaching Institution:
Final Award:
Programme Title:
Duration:
Subject Benchmark statement:
Date Produced:
University of Bradford
MSc (QAA Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications at Level M)
Cancer Pharmacology
Fulltime (1 year)
Not applicable
17th February, 2006, amended August 2007
Background
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 patients tumour. This is an exciting
time to be involved in cancer therapeutics and 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 MSc course in Cancer Pharmacology will be hosted by the Institute of Cancer
Therapeutics which is situated in the heart of the Universities campus in brand new,
purpose built facilities. The Institute has a strong research ethos and it is particularly
well known as a centre of excellence in Cancer Pharmacology. It is a multidisciplinary
organisation incorporating a broad spectrum of skills ranging from chemistry through
preclinical studies to early clinical trials. This course is designed to provide the
student with a ‘state of the art’ course in modern cancer pharmacology that meets the
demand of employers and students at taught post graduate level.
For career progression within this sector you require a postgraduate qualification. For
pursuit of this type of programme, you will already have a degree qualification,
usually from biological, chemistry, medicine, pharmacological or related disciplines.
The course promotes advanced scholarship within specialised areas concomitant
with the development of key transferable skills (in IT and bioinformatics) and
research techniques. The course uses a range of teaching strategies to promote
independent study and research to develop a systematic and critical understanding
of the molecular basis of cancer and cancer pharmacology, and enhance
autonomous learning and personal transferable skills. This course will facilitate
development of the skills you require for careers in academia, industry or for further
research. Enhancement of your independent learning skills during the course will
equip you with the skills to succeed as lifelong learners.
A.
Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
A1
Enable you to develop a systematic understanding and critical
awareness of, and skills in, selected disciplines within the field of
cancer biology and pharmacology.
A2
Develop within the context of cancer pharmacology, a comprehensive
understanding of communication, research and scientific method;
A3
Provide you with a detailed knowledge of pre-clinical experimental
approaches and legislative regulations
A4
To provide learning opportunities to enable you to think critically and
to further develop as an autonomous and lifelong learner;
A5
Further develop your ability in a range of personal and key skills.
B.
Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the programme you will be able to:
B1
Subject Knowledge & Skills
B1.1 critically evaluate specialized areas of cancer biology and
cancer pharmacology.
B1.2 critically evaluate scientific literature and communicate
scientific data.
B1.3 critically evaluate and appraise experimental laboratory
techniques with specific emphasis on obtaining a Home Office
personal license for animal studies.
B1.4 write and interpret scientific reports.
B1.5 write a grant proposal.
B1.6 demonstrate self-direction and originality in implementing a
research project, employ appropriate experimental approaches
and report your findings in relation to current research
knowledge and understanding.
B2
Core Academic Skills
B2.1 demonstrate critical thinking through ability to independently:
 recognise, define and prioritise problems;
 analyse, interpret, objectively evaluate and prioritise
information, recognising its limitations;
B2.2 demonstrate a conceptual understanding of research and
scientific method through ability to independently:
 critically evaluate methodology;
 critically analyse and interpret data;
 formulate conclusions based on complete and incomplete
data.
 critically evaluate pre-clinical strategies of drug analysis in
vitro and in vivo.
 critically analyze a therapeutic target and current
therapeutic approaches to that specific target.
 sourcing genetic databases to determine genetic variation
in the human and mouse genomes and its influence on
pharmacological response.
B3
Personal & Key Skills
B3.1
C.
Develop autonomy in learning and apply skills in; timemanagement, presentation, written communication and
problem-solving.
The Curriculum
The Postgraduate Diploma is studied over two semesters, each comprising of
60 Credits studied as double (20 Credit) and linked (20 Credits spread
across two semesters) modules. The Masters programme follows on from
this and incorporates an additional 60 Credit research project.
The programme is designed as a core curriculum; in both semester 1 and
semester 2 you will study units amounting to 40 Credits. A further 40 Credits
will be obtained from the linked modules. In semester 1 all units run in parallel
whereas in semester 2 there is an intensive training in Experimental Design in
the first four weeks of the semester followed by study of the other units in
parallel over a 7-week teaching period.
D.
Teaching, Learning & Assessment Strategies
A wide variety of teaching methods appropriate to the learning outcomes of
the individual modules are employed throughout the programme, and are
supported by Blackboard, the virtual learning environment, provided by the
University. A seminar program involving external speakers with International
reputations in the field will be established and you will have the chance to
discuss specific issues with them in tutorial sessions to be held after the
seminar. In addition, the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics has regular internal
research seminars and attendance at these is encouraged. The teaching
methods focus on student-centred approaches to learning. In this way you will
develop the attributes needed for life-long learning and continued professional
development.
Unit Code
CR4001D
CR4002D
CR4004L
BM-9132L
Unit Title
Semester 1
Molecular Basis of Cancer and
Cancer Therapy.
Preclinical models for drug
evaluation.
Critical Appraisal of a Current Topic
in the Biomedical Sciences (ICT)
Research and Analytical Methods
Module
Type
Credits
Level
Sem
Core
20
M
1
Core
20
M
1
Core
10
(Linked)
10
(Linked)
M
1
M
1
20
20
10
(Linked)
10
(Linked)
M
M
M
2
2
2
M
2
60
M
N/A
Core
Semester 2
BM-9133D
CR4003D
BM-9132L
Experimental Design
Cancer Pharmacology
Research and Analytical Methods
Core
Core
Core
BM-9119L
Critical Appraisal of a Current Topic
in the Biomedical Sciences
MSc
Research Project (ICT)
Core
CR4005Z
The curriculum may change subject to the university course approval, monitoring and
review procedures.
Outcome B1.1 will be developed through a series of lectures, workshops and
directed study and assessed by unseen written examination questions, critical
appraisal, and course work assignments. Outcome B1.2 will be developed
and assessed by course work. Acquisition of outcomes B1.3-1.6 will occur
gradually and cumulatively through a number of modules employing a mix of
lectures, laboratory investigations, coursework, workshops, individual project
work and directed private study. They will be assessed by unseen written
examination using constructed-response (essay) type questions, course work,
grant proposal, assignments, oral presentation, dissertation and project work.
Directed private study will involve you in a variety of activities, which include
directed reading of selected textbooks and specified source literature,
Blackboard (directed Web-based materials), report writing and other
assignments.
The development of outcomes B2.1 and B2.2 will be through involvement in
small-group seminars, Journal Clubs, laboratory investigations and individual
project-based work and assessed by critical appraisal, course work, seminar
paper, written assignment, oral presentation and project work. Key skills are
embedded in the curriculum and some modules develop or consolidate and
assess one or more of the key skills listed in outcome B3.1.
More detailed description of the way that learning is related to assessment in
the modules that make up this programme can be found on the module
descriptors.
E.
Admission requirements
Up to 30 students can be admitted onto the Masters programme in Cancer
Pharmacology, and this includes a significant number of applicants from
outside the EU. Offers are made following detailed consideration of each
individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our
assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their
ability to succeed on this particular course. Entrance requirements will vary,
but are set after consideration of each applicant’s academic background and
achievements and all other relevant experience. As a general guideline,
acceptance on the Masters programme requires an Honours degree in a
related scientific discipline or equivalent. The expectation is that this would be
at 2.2 classification or above. Applicants whose first language is not English
will need to demonstrate proficiency in English in accordance with University
Regulations. For example, in the International English Language Testing
Service test (IELTS) you need to achieve an overall band of at least 6 with 5
in each of the four sub-tests. The Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New
Jersey, 08540, USA. You will need to score at least 550 on the paper-based
test, 220 on the computer-based test and 83 on the internet-based test. For
further details, see http://www.brad.ac.uk/international/english.php. Students
with prior learning or prior experimental learning may be accredited on a case
by case basis by a claim for APL or APEL.
F.
Assessment regulations
To be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Cancer
Pharmacology you must attain at least 40% in individual units amounting to
100 Credits and at least 35% in individual units amounting to the other 20
credits. To be eligible for the award of Masters in Cancer Pharmacology
you must attain at least 40% in individual units amounting to 160 Credits
(including a 60 Credit Research Project) at least 35% in individual units
amounting to 20 credits. If you obtain an overall weighted average of at least
70% at the first attempt, including a mark of over 70% in the 60 Credit project
at first attempt you will be awarded a Masters degree with Distinction. If you
obtain an overall weighted average of at least 60% at the first attempt,
including a mark of over 60% in the 60 Credit project at first attempt will be
awarded a Masters degree with Merit. The full assessment regulations
covering postgraduate courses are available on the University website.
G.
Student Support & Guidance
The Institute of Cancer Therapeutics will integrate the established practices of
the Department of Biomedical Sciences that has a good reputation in this
area with students on the Masters programme being supported by both a
dedicated Course Tutor through fortnightly meetings with the cohort of
students and allocated individual personal tutorial support. Regular Staff
Student Liaison meetings inform the course team of student views and
Academic Committee meetings have student representation. Student
academic support also is provided by individual tutors / supervisors for the
Critical Appraisal and Research Project through regular meetings for the
duration of these activities. Formalised formative feedback is given on drafts
of these elements prior to submission. Departmental support is enhanced by
University Learning Support Services that includes Library and Computing
services, a Careers Service and a Disabilities Office.
H.
Further Information
Further information can be obtained from the Postgraduate Admissions Tutor,
Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford
(www.cancer.brad.ac.uk).