Programme Title

MSc(Res) Oncology Drug Discovery

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Science by Research

Programme Code

MED-MSR-OD

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100270

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

1 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

180

Exit Awards available

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

N/A

Accreditations (PSRB)

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

No

Programme Specific Regulations

Awards, Credits and Programme of Learning Outcomes

The following regulations should be read in conjunction with the University’s General Regulations:

1. Any student who fails 60 credits or more of taught modules will not be able to proceed to the dissertation module until the taught modules are successfully completed. Students can then choose whether to graduate with the Postgraduate Diploma or re-enrol to take the Dissertation in the next academic year.

2. In the case of failed modules, students will normally be permitted one resit attempt in each module. Students who fail any module twice will normally be required to withdraw.

3. Candidates who pass all the taught modules but who fail to achieve a mark of at least 50% in the dissertation, shall be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma.

Students with protected characteristics

Normally there are no barriers, but as this is a laboratory based subject, each case will be considered individually

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No
No (With the exception of students who are taking this as an intercalated degree and whose primary programmes are subject to Fitness to Practise (FTP) regulations) FTP programmes are those which permit students to enter a profession which is itself subject to FTP rules

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Analyze, interpret and appraise experimental data

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Essays
Research Project

Adopt various experimental approaches and combine information from different sources to develop an experimental plan

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentations

Assess publically available data sets and outline how they would be useful in their research approach.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Research project

Evaluate issues in the drug development field

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Masterclasses
Journal Clubs
Guided Self-Directed Learning
Small Group Learning

Methods of Assessment

Presentation
Written assignment

Demonstrate the ability to write a grant application

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials
Workshops

Methods of Assessment

Presentation
Written assignment

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically evaluate scientific literature

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Written Assignments

Apply analytical, numerical and creative thinking skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentations

Work independently and take responsibility for own learning

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Research Project

Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills including the presentation of scientific information

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Masterclasses

Methods of Assessment

Presentations
Written assignments

Manage time effectively and prioritize tasks

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals

Methods of Assessment

Research Project

Develop scientific ideas and incorporate innovation

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures
Tutorials
Thesis

Methods of Assessment

Written Assignment

Develop own knowledge and skills and contribute to the development of others, through active participation in teamwork and group learning opportunities

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Journal Clubs
Small Group Learning

Methods of Assessment

Presentations

Use information technology with particular emphasis on the recording of information and data retrieval

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Guided Self Directed Learning
Small Group Learning
Practical's

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Apply scientific research principles and audit

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Enhance their Professional and Career Development portfolio

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars
Masterclasses

Methods of Assessment

Written assignment

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically analyse and discuss principles of drug discovery process

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Essays

Discuss experimental approaches, techniques and design in their individual projects

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Oral Presentations (PowerPoint)

Understand genomic alterations that lead to cellular phenotype changes in human disease

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Poster Presentations

Discuss the use of biomarkers in disease diagnosis and prognosis and appreciate their role as surrogate markers of drug efficacy and disease response

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Masterclasses

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Outline the principles of clinical trial design and indicate how translational studies can be incorporated into clinical trials

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Critically evaluate current scientific literature.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Journal Clubs

Methods of Assessment

Presentations

Discuss and outline how research discoveries may be commercialised for rapid development and translation to new treatments

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Small Group Learning

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically analyse experimental approaches

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Essays

Explain techniques that will underpin the experimental design of their Research Project

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Oral Presentations

Develop and present a Research Proposal for their Research Project

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Written assignment

Interpret and analyse the results of their Research Project to write a comprehensive dissertation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Masterclasses
Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Project dissertation

Generate a grant proposal with the aim of funding their research proposal

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Small Group Learning

Methods of Assessment

Oral Presentations
Written assignments

Interpret data to prepare a scientific paper based on established guidelines for a chosen journal

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures
Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Explain what makes a good drug target and understand the requirement for the development of companion diagnostics in tandem with innovative drug development

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Discuss the factors that contribute to a high quality clinical trial.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures
Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Presentation

Analyse how new drug targets are identified, validated throughout the drug discovery process and how assays are developed

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures
Tutorials
Masterclasses
Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentation
Written assignments

Critically evaluate new methods for drug delivery

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures
Tutorials
Masterclasses
Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentation
Written assignments

Describe how chemical matter is identified through screening, developed through hit to lead and lead optimization towards clinical use

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures
Tutorials
Masterclasses
Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentation
Written assignments

Demonstrate an understanding of how external factors contribute to the development process, such as market place and commercial outputs

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures
Tutorials
Masterclasses
Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentation
Written assignments

Evaluate the important elements of biomarkers as prognostic and predictors of disease

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments, Oral Presentations

Demonstrate the ability to use publicly available datasets

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Masterclasses, Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments, Project dissertation

Construct a Research report, indicating progress and future plans/directions

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Guided Self Directed Learning

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments