MSc Cancer and Molecular Diagnostics, an internal Masters Degree, awarded by Teesside University, UK, has been designed as a specialised and advanced research focused Degree to solve global challenges facing humanity. It provides the students with the skills to synthesize information from a wide variety of sources and develop their effective decision-making abilities in solving complex problems relating to cancer and molecular diagnostics. The Degree prepares graduates for a broad range of careers within industrial, commercial, government and environmental settings.
Students will investigate a range of innovative forward-looking research into the physiological aspects of disease, diagnostic techniques and the associated pioneering treatments that are currently being developed. Students will fully develop the essential transferable skills of research and critical thinking by regularly reading and evaluating the data in primary research articles by formative presentations and in-class debate. These employability skills will be indispensable in the students' career development and their progress to posts in research industry. The module will be delivered as a combination of keynote lectures and seminars providing an in-depth understanding of biological aspects of a variety of diseases and the critical analysis of scientific literature relating to this discipline.
Students will explore genomics, epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, proteomics and bioinformatics. They will learn about the most recent technologies, next generation sequencing, CRISPR-Cas system and genome editing, genomic and bioinformatics analyses, genomic application for disease treatment and prevention (pharmacogenomics), personalised medicine as well as ethical challenges in this field. This module is delivered via a combination of interactive lecture and seminar sessions. The module is assessed by a literature review on the application of genomics and bioinformatics in the specific disease state.
This module will focus on a range of analytical instrumentation used in bioscience research applications; emphasis will be placed upon chromatography, mass spectrometry and spectroscopy instrumentation. The importance of these practical instrumentation techniques to modern investigations including proteomics and metabolomics will be explored. The students will learn core laboratory skills for sample extraction, sample preparation, instrumentation methodology and how to interpret spectra.
The Pathobiology of Cancer module aims to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the hallmarks of cancer. Processes such as cancer angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, as well as mechanisms by which tumours escape immune destruction, are covered. The module introduces students to genetic and epigenetic alterations as causes of malignancies.
This module provides a translational context of the cellular and molecular circuits of cancer, exploring detection, diagnosis, and current treatments in personalised cancer medicine. It introduces cutting-edge diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches for malignancies.
This module explores advanced topics in biochemistry with special focus on clinical applications and diagnostic techniques, including clinical analysis of bodily fluids to aid in disease diagnosis and monitoring.
The module provides students with the opportunity to undertake a major independent practical research project within a research team. Students complete a hypothesis-driven project using appropriate laboratory or computational research methodologies.
Northumbria University and BMS have built a strong partnership over the past 25 years. This partnership has resulted in diverse degree pathways in Business and Management, Biomedical Science, Banking and Finance, Biotechnology, and Design. The Northumbria - BMS partnership has produced graduates who have made significant contributions locally and globally.
