MSc(Res) Oncology Drug Discovery
Academic Year 2019/20
A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.
Programme Title |
MSc(Res) Oncology Drug Discovery |
Final Award |
Master of Science by Research |
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Programme Code |
MED-MSR-OD |
UCAS Code |
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HECoS Code |
100270 |
ATAS Clearance Required |
No |
Health Check Required |
No |
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Portfolio Required |
Interview Required |
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Mode of Study |
Full Time |
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Type of Programme |
Postgraduate |
Length of Programme |
1 Academic Year(s) |
Total Credits for Programme |
180 |
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Exit Awards available |
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INSTITUTE INFORMATION
Awarding Institution/Body |
Queen's University Belfast |
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Teaching Institution |
Queen's University Belfast |
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School/Department |
Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences |
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Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level |
Level 7 |
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QAA Benchmark Group |
N/A |
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Accreditations (PSRB) |
REGULATION INFORMATION
Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations No |
Programme Specific Regulations Awards, Credits and Programme of Learning Outcomes |
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 |
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME
Acquire the background knowledge and lab based skills to further understand the principles of drug discovery and development.
Participate in novel and high-quality research drug discovery projects with the aim of making an impact on the future of healthcare.
Demonstrate scientific writing skills through the write up of their research as a Dissertation and the completion of written course assignments.
Evaluate current and future developments in the drug discovery process from target ID to clinical use and be able to critically assess these processes.
Critically analyse scientific literature and show proficiency in scientific writing of research articles.
Recognise and employ key skills in time management, personal management and team building.
Demonstrate ability to incorporate innovation into project development.
Further develop the capacity for self-directed and life-long learning.
Demonstrate the knowledge and research skills for progression to PhD programmes.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Analyze, interpret and appraise experimental data |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures Methods of Assessment Essays |
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 Methods of Assessment Presentation |
Demonstrate the ability to write a grant application |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Tutorials Methods of Assessment Presentation |
Learning Outcomes: Transferable SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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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 |
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 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 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 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 Methods of Assessment Written assignment |
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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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 SpecificOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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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 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 |
Interpret data to prepare a scientific paper based on established guidelines for a chosen journal |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures 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 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 Methods of Assessment Presentation |
Critically evaluate new methods for drug delivery |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures Methods of Assessment Presentation |
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 Methods of Assessment Presentation |
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 Methods of Assessment Presentation |
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 |
MODULE INFORMATION
Programme Requirements
Module Title |
Module Code |
Level/ stage |
Credits |
Availability |
Duration |
Pre-requisite |
|
Assessment |
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|
|
|
|
S1 |
S2 |
|
|
Core |
Option |
Coursework % |
Practical % |
Examination % |
Dissertation |
SCM8068 |
7 |
60 |
YES |
12 weeks |
N |
YES |
100% |
0% |
0% |
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Cancer Biology |
SCM8065 |
7 |
10 |
YES |
6 weeks |
N |
YES |
70% |
30% |
0% |
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Target Identification and Development in Drug Discovery |
SCM8139 |
7 |
10 |
YES |
6 weeks |
N |
YES |
70% |
30% |
0% |
||
Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer |
SCM8144 |
7 |
10 |
YES |
6 weeks |
N |
YES |
60% |
40% |
0% |
||
Research Translation: from Concept to Commercialisation |
SCM8096 |
7 |
20 |
YES |
YES |
24 weeks |
N |
YES |
70% |
30% |
0% |
|
Research Project |
SCM8067 |
7 |
60 |
YES |
YES |
24 weeks |
N |
YES |
70% |
30% |
0% |
|
Drug Optimization, Drug Delivery and Clinical Trials |
SCM8138 |
7 |
10 |
YES |
6 weeks |
N |
YES |
70% |
30% |
0% |
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NotesStudents must take all modules (180 CATS). |