1. MSc Cancer and Clinical Oncology Induction 2019-2020
Dr John Riches
Clinical Senior Lecturer/Consultant Haemato-oncologist

2. Welcome!
You are now part of one of the UK’s top Cancer Research Institutes
Formed in 2003
Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence
300 staff, split into 6 research centres
100 PhD students
>80 MSc students
Fantastic research environment with leading research scientists and clinicians

3. Course overview Module title Credit value Module leader
CANM937 Research Methods 15
Prof John Marshall
CANM902 Cancer Biology
Dr Grose & Dr Braun
CANM903 Cancer Pharmacology
Dr Grose & Dr Sosabowski
CANM909 Pathology of Cancer
7.5
Prof Louise Jones
CANM904 Site Specific Tumour Treatment
Dr Michelle Lockley
CANM905 Ablative Therapies
Dr Rachel Lewis
CANM906 Drug Development
Dr Gunnel Hallden
CANM908 Imaging
Dr Jane Sosabowski
CANM911 Paediatric & Adolescent Oncology
Dr Tony Ford
CANM912 Cancer Prevention and Screening
Prof Duffy & Dr Sestak
CANM940 Genomic Approaches to Cancer
Dr Tatjana Crnogorac-Jurcevic
CANM907 Biological Therapies
Dr Kallon & Dr Hopkins
CANM935 Molecular Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy for Blood Cancers
Dr Andrejs Braun
CANM936 Dissertation 60
Dr Richard Grose

4. Course Structure: Semester 1
Lectures: September – December 2019
Examination period: 6th – 17th January 2020

5. Research Methods 15 credits 30 hours contact teaching Aims:
Teaching basic research methodology
Interpretative skills; data analysis and statistics
Writing skills

6. Cancer Biology 15 credits 30 contact hours
Series of lectures and presentations
Focusing on molecular and cellular biology, and how it goes wrong in cancer

7. Cancer Pharmacology 15 credits 30 contact hours
Series of lectures and presentations
Focusing on understanding the classes of chemotherapeutics and their mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics

8. Pathology of Cancer 7.5 credits 15 contact hours
Introduction to normal histology and histopathology and how it changes in cancer

9. Course Structure: Semester 2
Lectures: January – April 2020
Examination period: 20th April – 1st May 2020

10. Semester 2: Optional Modules
Molecular targeted therapies and immunotherapy for blood cancer
Biological Therapies
Minimum of 5 students per Option
Will be asked to choose mid-semester 1

11. Online materials
MySIS ( is the University’s Student Information System. This contains your personal and programme details, including any confirmed results
QMplus ( is the University’s virtual learning platform. All teaching materials and recordings of lectures will be available to you here
my.qmul ( provides general QMUL wide information for students
ARCS ( provides details of QMUL policies, guidelines and student support services available
BCI website ( is the Institute’s website and provides information about our research and opportunities
QMUL app (downloadable to your phone/tablet) provides links to MySIS, QMplus, your student , campus maps, relevant news feeds etc.
Printer credit ( Top up credit online

12. Online materials
MySIS ( is the University’s Student Information System. This contains your personal and programme details, including any confirmed results
QMplus ( is the University’s virtual learning platform. All teaching materials and recordings of lectures will be available to you here
my.qmul ( provides general QMUL wide information for students
ARCS ( provides details of QMUL policies, guidelines and student support services available
BCI website ( is the Institute’s website and provides information about our research and opportunities
QMUL app (downloadable to your phone/tablet) provides links to MySIS, QMplus, your student , campus maps, relevant news feeds etc.
Printer credit ( Top up credit online

13. Assessments In-course assessment: Exam:
Research methods: statistics questions, poster.
Cancer Biology: dissertation + presentation
Pathology of Cancer: practical write-up
Cancer Pharmacology: dissertation and presentation
Exam:
MCQ + SAQ
RSS includes data interpretation
1st week 2nd semester
Usually 60:40 split exam:coursework

14. Plagiarism
When a writer deliberately uses someone else’s ideas, language or other original material without acknowledging its source.
Be aware that technology, such as TurnItIn, is now available at QMUL that can automatically detect plagiarism.
It will be penalised!
So:
Be sure to record your sources when taking notes
Be sensible in referencing ideas
Be particularly careful with quotations and paraphrasing
Ensure that all works used are referenced appropriately

15. Assessments To pass MSc must have average >50%
Allowed to condone 2 units (>40% <50%)
If fail more than 2 units can resit end of academic year (August)
To progress to the project dissertation must have average >50% and passed 6 units

16. Dissertation 12 weeks from May – July 2020; Full time
In depth critical research and analysis of an area of clinical oncology
10,000 word thesis
Oral presentation
60 credits
Choose mid semester 2
Most based in BCI
Supervisor usually teaches on course

17. Awards MSc: 180 credits Average >50% Must pass dissertation
PG Diploma:
120 credits
PG Certificate
60 credits

18. Awards MSc grade boundaries:
>70.0% overall and >65.0% in project = Distinction
% overall = Merit
% overall = Pass

19. Mentors and support staff
You will be assigned a mentor.
Mentors are available to offer guidance and advice for non-course related issues
Meeting at the start of the programme and then they are available you discuss your progress, career or to help with any difficulties
For all questions relating to the content of a module or lecture please contact the module leader.
Contact details are available in the relevant module guide
Teaching Office staff and the Programme Director are also available to help with any course related queries or to discuss any problems that may impact on your studies.

20. What our graduates are doing now…
PhD (UEA)
Clinical medicine degree
Clinical Trials (NHS)
Quality Assurance (Health Service Laboratories)
CPD (Director of Merck, doctors)
Specialist training in oncology

21. MSc Culture This is a Postgraduate Course!
Encourage learning and understanding
Transferable skills
Active, self-directed learning
Encourage interaction with tutors
Strongly encourage constructive feedback
Enjoy it and make the most of your opportunities!

22. Thank you for your attention Enjoy the course!