- UCAS course code
- B9R9
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Biomedical Sciences with a Modern Language
Duration: 48 Months. [Full-Time]
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: B9R9 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Study with a language
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: AAA-AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB-ABB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36-35 points overall with 6, 6, 6 to 6, 6, 5 at HL, including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Additional expenses
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Course unit details:
Molecular Biology of Cancer (E)
| Unit code | BIOL31742 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
You will gain an understanding of the molecular events which lead to cancer. Particular attention will be paid to: the specific molecular events leading to the formation of specific tumours; the processes of apoptosis, cell cycle, chromatin and gene regulation and signal transduction to tumorigenesis; the latest developments in basic cancer research. You will also explore the impact of molecular biology on developing cancer therapies. The lecture series will split into the three main topics of tumour formation, molecular basis and therapies covering a diverse range of topics including "Genomic approaches to cancer research”, "Tissues invasion and metastasis" and "Cancer cures and possible therapies".
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dynamic Cell | BIOL21121 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
| Genome Maintenance & Regulation | BIOL21101 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
| Introduction to Cancer | BIOL21742 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
Aims
To provide students with a general understanding of the molecular events which lead to cancer.
Learning outcomes
The students will; (a) have an understanding of the specific molecular events leading to the formation of specific tumours; (b) be able to relate the processes of apoptosis, cell cycle, chromatin and gene regulation and signal transduction to tumorigenesis; (c) be acquainted with the latest developments in basic cancer research; (d) to be able to apply molecular knowledge in developing cancer therapies.
Syllabus
Tumour formation and progression
• Statistics and environmental causes of cancer.
• Concept of multi-step progression and the multiple-hit hypothesis.
• Introduction to the cellular changes and the stages in cancer progression.
• Mechanisms of genomic instability.
• Cell cycle checkpoints and telomere maintenance
• DNA repair mechanisms, drug metabolism and their relationship to cancer.
• Translocations and cancer.
• Predisposition to cancer. e.g. in retinoblastomas and breast cancers.
• Tissue invasion and metastasis
Molecular basis
• Tumour suppressor proteins including p53 and RB and relationship to cell cycle
• Epigenetic, chromatin and gene regulation changes in cancer
• Introduction to MAP kinase signal transduction pathways
• Nuclear targets of MAP kinase signal transduction pathways.
• Relationship between oncogenes and signal transduction pathways.
• Pathway crosstalk and relationship to tumourigenesis.
• Apoptosis and its relationship to cancer.
Therapies
• Cancer diagnosis, cures and possible therapies.
Self-directed learning
• Research into specific cancers and identification of specific molecular changes associated with individual tumours.
• Research into the following topics; Telomeres and cancer, Cancer Stem Cell Hypothesis, Tumour Angiogenesis, additional signalling pathways disrupted in Cancers.
• Formative post lecture interactive tests on Nearpod.
eLearning activity
Online interactive quizzes, one of which illustrates the molecular defects found in cancer cells in the context of diagnosing and treating a patient with lung cancer.
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Assessing primary research papers is important here and is a skill that should be developed.
- Problem solving
- There is an online learning resource which asks students to work through a case scenario, which leads to a cure for cancer. They then uncover what the molecular features are.
- Research
- As with all units, students need to evaluate the literature critically, and assess which research gives a useful advance, and which does not.
- Written communication
- Short essay writing (1 page essay plan) as part of in course assessment. Also 2 essays in final exam.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 95% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 5% |
Feedback methods
Feedback will be provided on the in course assessment, and via an interactive e-learning exercise.
Recommended reading
Weinberg, RA (2006/2014) The Biology of Cancer. Garland Science
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 2 |
| Lectures | 18 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 80 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Andrew Sharrocks | Unit coordinator |