MSc(Res) in Translational Oncology

Global cancer incidences are rising rapidly each year and are a huge economic burden to society and the cause of much suffering to patients and carers alike. Translational Oncology is the process by which fundamental laboratory research informs the development of new therapies for the treatment of cancer, a subject which embraces an ever-widening range of disciplines. Unravelling the basis of cancer, in addition to development of new therapies, is of utmost importance and incorporates a range of employment possibilities. This is a rapidly advancing area of biomedical research with massive therapeutic and commercial potential.

Our MSc(Res) programme will give both scientists and clinicians an in-depth understanding of the scientific and clinical challenges pertinent to the management of tissue-specific cancers and offers theoretical and practical training in fundamental aspects of contemporary oncology encompassing the cellular and molecular basis of cancer, tumour microenvironment, cancer epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment, cancer technologies and clinical research. The MSc(Res) course provides an innovative and progressive programme with teaching delivered by leading research scientists and clinicians including regular ‘Keynote Lectures’ by international clinical researchers on the topic of ‘bench to bedside’ in addition to the main modules.

Translational Oncology in Sheffield

Translational oncology research in Sheffield is well established, spanning several faculties and departments, with strong basic sciences and clinical research linking into a successful Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre providing an exciting and world class research environment for your MSc(Res). Indeed, our research environment encompasses the entire scope from basic research into molecular mechanisms and their implementation in new therapies, with a strong emphasis on translation to the clinic, thereby giving students the opportunity to experience research at all stages of drug discovery and development. Students will be taught and supervised by highly interactive, multidisciplinary research teams of basic and clinical scientists applying state of the art approaches to translational oncology. The course will be based in the Department of Oncology, in the Medical School, which is part of the CR-UK/YCR Sheffield Cancer Research Centre.

Attendance

The degree is offered as both a one year full-time and two-year part-time course, but please note that the research project requires full-time attendance for 25 weeks. Part-time candidates wishing to carry out their research project at their place of work must provide a statement of reference from a work based person in the Oncology field indicating his/her willingness to act as a local tutor to the candidate. The proposed project will be subject to approval by the course committee.

Course structure

The course gives students a thorough grounding in five core components of Translational Oncology through taught modules in Cellular and Molecular basis of cancer, Cancer Epidemiology, Tumour Microenvironment, Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, and Cancer Technologies and Clinical Research. Students also undertake a literature review and gain direct experience of performing a six month hypothesis-led translational research project.

Careers

The MSc(Res) in Translational Oncology will provide students with a springboard for their future career. A series of tutorials including CV writing, career tracking and critical appraisal among others will help with personal development to improve student employability. Furthermore, the research project and literature review, seminar programmes, tutorials and taught modules provide a range of subject specific and transferable skills pertinent to a career in academia, industry or elsewhere.