Subject overview

Programme outline

This course aims to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the molecular and cell biology of cancer, with the practical and experimental skills required for research careers in cancer cell biology. The MSc is taught by research scientists from the School of Life Sciences, including those working on DNA damage and repair in the internationally renowned Genome Damage and Stability Centre. 

Teaching is delivered in a variety of ways, including laboratory-based and self-taught components covering bioinformatics and experimental theory. The advanced methods, cancer biology and genome stability modules are primarily lecture based but the latter also contains some group seminars. The spring-term topics module consists of a mixture of seminars and student-led presentations. The project-associated modules are delivered on a more individual basis, relying on a close interaction between the student and their supervisor.
This course is subject to validation. 

Assessment 

A variety of assessment strategies include lab reports, essays, unseen examinations, portfolios, problem sets, research proposals, presentations and a dissertation. 

Course structure

We continue to develop and update our modules for 2014 entry to ensure you have the best student experience.

Autumn term: you take Advanced Methods in Molecular Research • Practical Techniques. 

Autumn and spring terms: you take Cancer Biology. 

Spring term: you take Genome Stability, Genetic Diseases and Cancer • Topics in Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology. You also produce your research proposal and begin work on your MSc research project. 

Summer term: you continue work on your MSc research project. 

Entry requirements

UK entrance requirements

A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in a relevant science subject.

Overseas entrance requirements

Overseas qualifications

If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

Country	Overseas qualification
Australia	Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
Brazil	Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8
Canada	Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+)
China	Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university
Cyprus	Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5
France	Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13
Germany	Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better
Ghana	Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division
Greece	Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.5
Hong Kong	Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
India	Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent
Iran	Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15
Italy	Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105
Japan	Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum average of B+ or equivalent
Malaysia	Bachelor degree with class 2 division 1
Mexico	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8
Nigeria	Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Pakistan	Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3
Russia	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4
South Africa	Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70%
Saudi Arabia	Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent
South Korea	Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
Spain	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4
Taiwan	Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university
Thailand	Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
Turkey	Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 depending on your university
United Arab Emirates	Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
USA	Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university
Vietnam	Masters degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or equivalent

If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

Related programmes

• Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology MSc
• Global Health MSc

Fees and funding

Fees

Home UK/EU students: to be confirmed
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: to be confirmed
Overseas students: to be confirmed

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

Faculty interests

The Genome Damage and Stability Centre currently houses these research groups: 

Dr Jon Baxter Work in the Baxter lab focuses on how duplicated chromosomes are resolved, both during DNA replication and mitosis. 

Dr Alessandro Bianchi We study how the natural ends of the chromosomes, the telomeres, ensure the protection and integrity of the genome. 

Professor Keith Caldecott The Caldecott Laboratory focuses on understanding how broken DNA is repaired in humans, and the consequences to human health and disease if this repair is attenuated or absent.  

Professor Tony Carr The Carr Laboratory studies how the mistakes made while duplicating our DNA can lead to changes in our genetic code that in turn can cause cancer. 

Professor Aidan Doherty We investigate novel cellular mechanisms involved in the replication and repair of damaged DNA. 

Dr Jessica Downs The Downs Laboratory is interested in understanding the dynamic interplay between chromatin and genome stability.  

Dr Sherif El-Khamisy Breaking and sealing one strand of DNA: the consequence of the imbalance. 

Dr Helfrid Hochegger The Hochegger Laboratory uses chemical genetic approaches, advanced microscopy and proteomics to study how mitotic kinases and phosphatases drive mitosis and orchestrate cell division. 

Dr Eva Hoffmann We study the property of chromosomes, how structural changes to chromosomes are mediated, and the importance for our genetic makeup.

Professor Penny Jeggo Breaks in both DNA strands arise from normal growth and following radiation exposure. We study the response to such breaks and their impact on human health. 

Professor Alan Lehmann FRS I am interested in how cells repair DNA damaged by UV light from the sun, and in genetic disorders that result from defects in repairing this DNA damage.

Dr Johanne Murray We are interested in how cells correctly replicate their DNA, with a specific interest in the Smc5/6 complex which regulates homologous recombination.  

Dr Matt Neale My lab investigates the mechanisms underpinning DNA repair and genetic variation using the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 

Dr Mark O’Driscoll We study the underlying causes and effects of impaired DNA repair using patient material from various known and new human genetic diseases.

Dr Tony Oliver I use structural biology techniques to study the mechanisms underlying the assembly and regulation of multi-component systems involved in DNA damage repair.  

Professor Laurence Pearl FRS Structural studies of multiprotein complexes regulating DNA damage and stress responses, and their exploitation for drug discovery. 

Dr Steve Sweet The Sweet Laboratory studies the alteration and potential re-establishment of epigenetic modifications after the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. 

Dr Hideo Tsubouchi We are interested in understanding the mechanism and regulation of homologous recombination of DNA using budding yeast as a model organism.  

Dr Felicity Watts We are interested in a number of DNA damage processses. 

Careers and profiles

Our graduates will be well-prepared for a range of careers in the paramedical professions, pharmaceutical industries and particularly in research. Successful students will have a range of transferable skills including understanding how to execute a successful research project, intellectual and evaluative skills, as well as the ability to use experimental data in a variety of ways, and to design and implement experiments. 

School and contacts