Paper 1415/BMSBoS/6
College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
School of Biomedical Sciences Board of Studies
12 November 2014
Creation of a Theme in Cancer Biology for the MSc (R) in Biomedical Sciences
Brief description of the paper
Proposal to create a new theme within the MSc Biomedical Sciences programme.
Action requested
For approval.
Resource implications
Costs will be covered by the business plan for MSc in BiomedicalSciences.
Equality and Diversity
There are no equality and diversity implications.
Originator of the paper
Dr Andrew Hall
30 October 2014
Freedom of information
This paper to be included in open business.
Proposal to Introduce a new Theme ‘Cancer Biology’ in the MSc(R) Biomedical Sciences Programme.
Proposers: Dr Andrew C. Hall (Programme Director); Prof. Lesley Stark (Proposed Course Organiser).
Background: The MSc (by Research) in Biomedical Sciences, which is administered by the School of
Biomedical Sciences, is a well-established and popular programme which has been running for many
years. The main elements of the Programme are two 20-week research projects and a Project plan.
The research projects are based around a Theme (e.g. Cell Communication, Infectious Diseases)
which includes a ‘taught element’ in the form of seminars, workshops, student presentations etc.,
which runs in parallel with the project, typically for the first 10 weeks. Several years ago a theme in
Cancer Biology offering both Projects and the taught element in Cancer Biology, was available to
these students. Although this was a very popular option, it was unfortunately cancelled because of
staff changes. However every year since then, we have had MSc students asking if it possible to do
projects in Cancer Biology, and while this can be managed they must still take a ‘taught element’ in
parallel as one does not currently exist in Cancer Biology. Students instead normally take the ‘taught
element’ of Cell Communication, which is not ideal. This proposal is therefore to establish a new
Theme in Cancer Biology as an option within the existing MSc Biomedical Sciences Programme. This
new Theme would offer students a range of research projects and also a ‘taught element’ which
would be specifically aimed at Cancer Biology.
SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
COURSE PROPOSAL FORM
Course Name*:
Postgraduate course: Cancer Biology
Course Proposer*:
Lesley Stark
Have you confirmed that the appropriate resources are in
place (finance, teaching staff, IT)*:
yes
Have you confirmed that the appropriate support
services are in place (library, computing services)*:
yes
Normal Year Taken*:
One year postgraduate course
Course Level*:
SCQF Level 11 (postgraduate
Available to Visiting
Students?*
No
SCQF Credits*:
80
Credit Level*1:
11
Home Subject
Area*2:
Biomedical Sciences
Other Subject Area:
None
Course Organiser:
Lesley Stark
Course Secretary:
Mrs Marie Manson
% not taught by this
institution:
0
Collaboration
Information:
No Collaborations
Total Contact
Teaching Hours*:
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 30, Dissertation/Project
Supervision Hours 40, Supervised
Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 540,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Formative Assessment
Hours 20, Summative Assessment Hours 70, Programme
Level Learning and Teaching Hours 16, Directed
Learning and Independent Learning Hours 82 )
Any costs to be met
by students:
None
Pre-requisites
(course name &
code)*:
None
Co-requisites (course
name & code)*:
None
Prohibited
N/A
Combinations (course
name & code)*:
Visiting Students
Pre-requisites:
Course Description*:
N/A
Cancer arises due to a complex combination of genetic and
molecular changes within a cell that ultimately cause
increased cell proliferation, decreased death and changes in
differentiation, metabolism and cell motility. The integrated
approach to this theme will consider all aspects of cancer
biology including genetic susceptibility, treatment and
prevention, molecular drivers of cancer initiation, growth and
metastasis and new approaches to cancer drug discovery.
Our aim is to give a sound introduction to the most up to
date information on this subject area and to cutting edge
approaches for investigating molecular changes in cancer
cells such as super resolution imaging, proteomics and
metabolomics. There will normally be 4 hours 'teaching' each
week run by an eminent scientist. These sessions will
comprise lectures, student-led seminars and interactive
discussion.
Keywords3:
Molecular biology, Cancer, pharmacology, Genetics
Default Course Mode
of Study*4:
Class and Assessment including centrally arranged
examinations
Default Delivery
Period*5:
Semester 1 or 2
Course Type*6:
Dissertation
Class sessions 7
Summary of Intended The aim of this course is to act as an elective research
Learning Outcomes*: theme for the MSc/Diploma by Research in the
Biomedical Sciences Programme. The taught element
will cover a range of current research topics within the
Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre and discuss and
analyse research papers to stimulate the development of
critical thinking. The course will provide students with
the opportunity to acquire relevant research skills and
associated generic/transferable skills, in order to:
- provide students with thorough and specific
preparation for 3 year PhD training in biomedical
science;
- award an MSc by Research en route to the PhD;
-provide an opportunity, if necessary or desirable, to exit
from research training at the end of Year 1 with an
Edinburgh Masters or Diploma by Research Degree in
the Biomedical Science
Special
Arrangements:
N/A
Components of
Assessment (inc. %
weightings)*:
Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0
%
Exam Information*8
One 20 week maxi project write-up (maximum 10,000
words) = 100%
Syllabus/Lecture List:
Convenor of Board of
Examiners:
Details of any
supporting
documentation 9
Comments (including
Honours Elective
Course Leader
details)
To be finalised.
Dr Richard Weller