A new BSc/MSci course in Cancer Sciences is being launched by the School of Medicine (Division of Cancer and Stem Cells) for 2019 entry.

The BSc will be a three year, internationally supported, research intensive, undergraduate degree in cancer sciences – and will be the first course of its kind available in the UK.

It will equip undergraduate students with core scientific skills required to embark on, and progress to specialism in, research in cancer sciences in the pharmaceutical, biotech, finance and contract research industries, as well as in the academic cancer research field.

The programme will educate students in the normal functioning of the human body, including basic molecular and cellular biology, physiology, biochemistry and immunology, which will provide both the breadth and depth of basic biological and medical sciences for the cancer context.

The course will be delivered in association with the School of Life Sciences ensuring an ethos of multidisciplinarity, enabling cancer research students to work across research disciplines. In developing the course staff in the Division of Cancer and Stem Cells have also worked with Pharmacy, Veterinary Sciences and Engineering to understand the aspects of these courses that have made their pedagogical approach a successful one.

From their second year onwards students will receive some elements of their teaching in the new Centre for Cancer Sciences (CCS), located in the new multidisciplinary CBS building.  Year three of the degree will be hosted in the CCS as research seminars and laboratory projects. Those students taking the four year MSci version will spend part of their final year on placement in industry or in a Centre of Excellence, nationally or internationally.

Professor David Bates, Director of the University of Nottingham Centre for Cancer Sciences said: “We are excited that we will be offering this innovative first of its kind, bespoke course, training the next generation of scientists for the global cancer research industry. Half of UK people will get cancer, and new treatments will always be needed. These will be developed by well-trained cancer scientists in industry, business and academia, who are passionate about changing health outcomes for people all over the world. The University of Nottingham is proud to be at the forefront of innovative training for the global cancer research industry.”

Find out more about this course.