MSc Oncology Research / Course details

Students are required to attend a series of Clinical Masterclasses. For individuals to obtain a specialist interest in oncology, they require a sufficient understanding of general clinical practice within this discipline. To this end, a series of Clinical Masterclasses will be delivered where students are taught the principles of oncology. The variety of staff included in this Course Unit provides a multidisciplinary foundation in the key issues related to oncology. As the classes are delivered by staff members who may be internationally recognised experts in their field, students will receive a state-of-the-art overview of new developments and emerging concepts and technologies in this rapidly developing area. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to learn about research being carried out in the School and thereby to acquire a broad knowledge of sciences related to oncology. Students should participate in group discussion and will be encouraged to be interactive.

This unit aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the multidisciplinary practice of oncology.

Student will be able to:

• understand how cancer is diagnosed;
• understand the principles of cancer surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy;
• gain knowledge of the use and role of other therapies for the treatment of cancer: hormonal therapy, biological therapy, complimentary medicine;
• understand the cancer patient journey from primary to palliative care.

The unit will consist of a series of interactive session led by clinical experts in the relevant field.

Lectures - Clinical masterclasses will be delivered in two separate weeks in semester one. Each masterclass will last approximately 1.5 hours. In most cases, the first 40 minutes of each class will give a comprehensive overview of the subject area, the next 20 minutes, a specific example of the area is reviewed and in the last 30 minutes the students will be encouraged to ask questions and discuss different aspects of the subject covered and relate knowledge acquired from other modules to promote multidisciplinary learning.  

Each class will be delivered by staff who are recognised experts in their field and will aim to give an overview of the basic principles of the topic along with new developments and emerging concepts and technologies. These classes will give students the opportunity to meet with staff and vice versa.  

Assessment of the course will be two 3,000-word essays – one drawn from each of the two weeks of masterclasses. Selection of essays will be through Canvas and will be competitive on a first come first served basis. A maximum of 3 students will be allowed for each essay. The specific focus of the essay can be chosen by the student in conversation with the masterclass lecturer.

Feedback to the students for each essay will be in the form of written feedback via Blackboard.