Semester 1

SCM8096 Research Translational: from Concept to Commercialisation (Full Year) - 20 CATS

This module covers the principles of disease biology and new technological developments that increase our understanding of disease processes. It develops an appreciation of the importance of innovation, business awareness, and leadership skills in the translation of discovery science to clinical implementation.

SCM8144 Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (Semester 1) - 10 CATS

This module provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis and treatment of common solid and hematological malignancies, including breast, ovarian, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal cancers as well as leukemias. An overview of the common diagnostic pathways in clinical practice will be provided, and this will include gaining an understanding of imaging modalities and histopathological techniques in routine use.

SCM8065 Cancer Biology (Semester 1) - 10 CATS

This module provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of carcinogenesis highlighting how normal control processes are bypassed during tumour formation. The pathogenic mechanisms to be discussed will range from genomic alterations in key gene families to epigenetic mechanisms of gene control, alterations in kinase activities or protein turnover, or activation of aberrant phenotypes such as invasion and angiogenesis.

Semester 2

Students will choose one of the following 3 streams:

1) Precision Cancer Stream

SCM8142 Cancer Genetics and Genomics - 10 CATS This module will provide students with a comprehensive foundation of concepts in genetics and genomics about cancer etiology and molecular pathology with emphasis on both inherited predisposition to cancer mediated by germline genetic variation and consideration of the contribution of the tumor genome to disease pathogenicity.

SCM8066 Translational Cancer Medicine - 1O CATS

This module provides a comprehensive overview of current cancer treatments and their limitations. The principles of resistance to standard chemo- and radio-therapies will be addressed and how new targeted therapies are being developed to overcome this resistance. Students will also be introduced to the principles of stratified or precision medicine, using molecular biomarkers to select patients most likely to respond to particular therapies.

In addition, students will learn how high throughput technologies such as transcriptome profiling and next-generation sequencing can be utilized to identify new biomarkers and anti-cancer drug targets. The module will also cover how novel pre-clinical discoveries are developed and applied in prospective clinical trials.

OR

2) Radiation Oncology and Medical Imaging Stream (ROMI)

SCM8141 Biology of Radiotherapy - 10 CATS

This module is taught through a series of lectures and tutorials and will enable students to develop knowledge and skills in understanding the principles of radiation interactions and the molecular basis of radiation response in cells, tissues, and tumours. Through the delivery of a multidisciplinary taught program, students will cover how radiation affects and disrupts cellular processes and use established theoretical models to explore the concepts behind the use of radiation for cancer treatment.

SCM8143 Clinical Radiation Biology and Imaging - 10 CATS

Building on the biological basis of radiotherapy, this module will develop knowledge and skills in understanding clinical radiotherapy and medical imaging. Through the delivery of a multidisciplinary taught program, students will cover clinical tumor and normal tissue biology, radiological imaging, and the design of radiotherapy treatment plans. This will develop the clinical rationale for radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer and highlight emerging treatment combinations and techniques for biomarker discovery in radiation oncology.

OR

3 Oncology Drug Discovery Stream (ODD)

SCM8138 Target Identification and Hit ID -10 CATS

Using the knowledge gained in the Cancer medicine modules in semester 1, we will look at what makes a good anti-cancer drug target and how we start to validate that target biologically. With the early validation of a potential drug target completed, we will look at the different approaches that can be used to identify chemical starting points, more commonly referred to as hits against this target. This will be followed up with approaches employed within drug development to validate these chemical hits to underpin future research.

SCM8139 Drug Optimization, Drug Delivery, and Clinical Trials - 10 CATS

The second module will cover the processes around further optimizing validated hit matter and how this leads to the identification of in-vivo compatible tool compounds. We will also cover what are the additional challenges in converting these tool compounds into pre-clinical drug candidates, such as drug delivery, formulation, and patentability. There will also be lectures on the use of nanoparticle delivery systems that are used to overcome toxicity and/or lack of efficacy in disease and patient systems.

SCM8067 Research Project - 60 CATS

You will undertake a 24-week project in the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, which will run throughout both semesters.

SCM8147 Dissertation - 60 CATS

This module comprises the write-up contribution to the overall research element of the program, with the Research Project (SCM 8067). The Dissertation will represent the student's studies in the literature, a description of the experimental execution of their project, data presentation, analysis, and interpretation, followed by critical discussion and conclusions.

This program will equip you with the skills to work in a translational medicine setting in an academic or hospital environment and the biotech/ pharmaceutical industries. You will gain an insight into the financial, management, and entrepreneurial aspects of translational research, so you may end up working in the industry or potentially initiating a spin-out company of your own. You will also be able, should you wish, to progress to a Ph.D. in a biomedical discipline.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programs alongside sterling integration with business experts help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. In addition to the comprehensive training offered by this Master's program, the Graduate School at QUB offers a range of supplementary courses ranging from Project Management and Leadership qualifications to the development of personal proficiencies such as Academic Writing and Presentation skills.

Employment after the Course

As this is a research-intensive degree many of our students go on to pursue further Ph.D. studies in healthcare research within the Institute of Health Sciences here at Queen's and further afield at other academic institutions. Others go on to work in a wide variety of roles in both the private and public sectors here in Northern Ireland and internationally. The following are some of the jobs they have taken on:

• Scientist, Randox
• Research Assistant Curtin University, Perth, Australia
• Assistant Peer Review Officer- BBSRC
• Project Coordinator Almac Group
• Research Project Coordinator, Almac Diagnostics
• Graduate Software Engineer BT TSO

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports, and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognized by a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.