MSc Molecular Pathology of Cancer / Course details

• Critical insights into diverse tumour types exploring how tissue, stage and cell of origin can affect both detection and treatment success
• Cellular composition of common tumours
• The role of the microenvironment in tumour progression
• Appreciate the impact and effect of toxicity resulting from different therapeutic strategies and combinations (Medical, Clinical and Surgical)
• Understand potential off target effects and learn ways to minimise normal cell damage
• Consider the importance of supporting patients' decision-making regarding treatment choices
• Consider the differences in the biological understanding and diagnosis of rarer cancer types
• Understand the greater challenges associated with non-palpable tumours and current methodologies
• Learn about developing screening and detection strategies to combat less common cancers

This unit will provide an appreciation of tumour diversity and intra-tumour heterogeneity. Building on your background knowledge of basic tumour biology, this unit will extend and update your understanding of how the underlying biology of any tumour might impact detection and treatment success. We will introduce the concept of heterogeneity within individual tumours including cellular composition and how this might affect tumour growth and detection. We will differentiate between different tumour types and explore how these present challenges within the clinical setting. You will learn current strategies, methods and approaches used to inform key decision making.

Students' learning for the taught element of this course unit is 100% online. There will be a combination of online materials provided that students must engage with, including podcasts, videos, lectures and interviews. Students will be able to complete diverse online tasks to monitor and evidence their achievement of the learning objectives. Students will also learn through engaging in directed and independent wider reading. Whilst the majority of this unit will be accessible in an asynchronous manner increasing the agility and flexibility of learning, there will be opportunities to interact with Unit leads and peers during synchronous teaching sessions. We will use online tools to facilitate peer-peer interaction and small group activities.

An important differentiating element of this course unit is the students' requirement to keep a reflective learning journal which will create their portfolio of knowledge enabling direct reference and integration into clinical or research practise. Students will make notes on their day-to day experiences of key aspects learned within the unit. Through this, they will learn to be present in and conscious of their practice, which will inform their assessment and provide a practice-based context for their learning and assessment.

Students should/will be able to:

• Describe different tumour types and discuss intra-tumoural cellularity
• Explain the relationship between cells in the tumour microenvironment
• Demonstrate a mechanistic understanding of cytotoxicity
• Identify biomarker sources and methods of analysis

Students should/will be able to:

• Evaluate the importance of understanding tumour heterogeneity
• Critically appraise the challenges presented by different tumour types
• Reflect on the key issues of tumour/host toxicity
• Understand the limitations of current techniques used for screening including biomarkers

Students should/will be able to:

• Plan and execute guided and independent research
• Constructively debate current clinical approaches to different tumour types
• Retrieve relevant, supplementary information from a variety of sources (library, electronic and online)
• Report findings in a concise and structured manner

Students should/will be able to:

• Present findings in a clear and concise way using appropriate media
• Constructively deliver feedback to peers
• Demonstrate independent thinking and evidence integration to formulate hypotheses
• Manage time and show evidence of scheduling tasks in order of importance

Written assignment or presentation: 40%

Reflective journal/portfolio: 30%

Online tests (MCQs): 30%

University policy is to provide feedback within 15 working days of submission