Course Structure
The MSc is scheduled to run over two academic years as a part time, online course consisting of eight compulsory taught modules, a residential week in Oxford and research based dissertation.
Learning objectives
The overall learning objective for the course is to provide you with the multidisciplinary skill set and knowledge required to design, conduct and lead precision medicine research, and to deliver precision medicine in the health service.
The course will:
- provide you with technical knowledge and an in-depth scientific background in genetics, bio-informatics and statistics;
- raise your awareness of the societal implications of precision cancer medicine with a focus on ethics and health economics;
- introduce you to clinical interpretation, and experimental approaches for validation;
- foster your research skills, in particular critical appraisal and discussion of research findings, with the aim of bringing you to a position to apply for DPhil/ PhD positions on graduation.
Outline Schedule:
Year 1
| Oct-Nov |
Module 1: Introduction to Human Genetics and Genomics
|
| Dec-Jan |
Module 2: Applied Precision Diagnostics
|
| Feb-March |
Module 3: Clinical Interpretation of Precision Diagnostics and Response Monitoring
|
| April-May |
Module 4: Clinical Bioinformatics
|
| June-July | Module 5: Treatment, Pharmacogenomics, Clinical Trials and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics |
Year 2
| Sept-Oct | Module 6: Ethics and Health Economics |
|
Nov-Dec |
Module 7: Molecular Pathology and Imaging |
| Jan-Feb | Module 8: Onco-immunology and Genomics |
| Feb-March | Revision |
| March | In-person Residential and Examination |
| April-Aug | Dissertation |
The above schedule provides a general overview for the two years of study. This will vary slightly from year to year and is only intended as a basic guide.
This course is reviewed annually and subject to minor changes in response to feedback and evaluation.
TAUGHT MODULES:
The taught modules take place from October (Year 1) to February (Year 2).
You will be given access to state-of-the art technology to support your learning including the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), Canvas.
Lecture materials will be pre-recorded and will be available for you modularly to watch in your own time, alongside recommended reading and other activities.
MODULE STRUCTURE:
- Each module is led by two module leads plus additional lecturers for specialist input;
- The module curriculum consists of 6-10 one hour recorded lectures (each split into smaller bite-sized recordings of 10-20 minutes) over a 7-week period;
- All lectures focus on interactive learning throughout and include case studies and quizzes;
- Real time, online discussion groups (approximately 3 for every module) are led by members of faculty using conferencing software to facilitate your learning;
- Feedback is provided to you after each formative assessment.
Please view our Course FAQs for further information.