Master of Science in Cancer Biology and Immunology

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

From crowdfunding to cryptocurrencies, and from automated trading to Alipay, recent innovations in financial technologies have revolutionised the way we spend, save, borrow, and invest. Companies in the financial services sector are now able to intelligently harness data to provide tailored products and services; big technology corporations offer financial services to customers through their social media accounts; and disruptive technology start-ups have quickly scaled to challenge the dominance of traditional banks by developing new forms of finance from the ground up.

This new MSc offers an opportunity to join the financial technology revolution. Students will learn the key design features of a number of financial technology applications and will develop skills to implement, assess, and engineer these technologies. Students will also develop an understanding of the computational, statistical, and machine learning principles necessary for insightful large-scale data analysis used in data-driven finance.

Hosted by a world-leading engineering faculty, this is a technology-focused MSc and not a finance or accounting programme that is traditionally provided by a business school. Therefore, we expect applicants to have a strong background in computer science, engineering, or a numerate science; a background in economics or finance is not expected or required.

This MSc is likely to appeal to applicants looking to start or advance their careers in data-driven finance and technology. The UK is a world leader in financial technology and the Bristol region has the largest fintech ecosystem outside of London. The programme has been co-designed with industrial partners and will offer opportunities to engage with industry on real-world commercial projects.

This degree is designed for students with potential who do not have a science background. You can automatically progress from this course to our BSc or MSci Chemistry degrees.

Our chemistry courses offer a superb grounding in the subject. In years one and two you will study fundamental concepts in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, and applications in areas such as analytical, environmental, materials and theoretical chemistry.

You will also develop your ability to design experiments and interpret results and gain key skills through our chemistry-specific communications and mathematics units.

You will get the opportunity to specialise after the first two years. BSc final-year project options include work in a research laboratory or a local school, helping to develop science resources or carrying out chemistry education research. On the MSci course you will complete a 20-week research project with an academic member of staff in your final year.

We are one of the UK's biggest chemistry schools and we have a superb reputation for teaching and research; over a third of our research was rated 'world-leading' in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.

If you are curious about our planet and interested in finding solutions to global problems, this course is for you. Learn about the physics, chemistry and history of the Earth through hands-on examination of earth materials such as rocks, minerals and fossils, and use remote sensing techniques to explore the structure and chemistry of its inaccessible areas.

Learn with experts whose research feeds directly into your studies at the cutting edge of scientific developments. Recent options have included Volcanic Hazards, Global Tectonics, Mineral Resources and Hydrogeology.

MSci courses allow you to study advanced material in greater depth during the additional year, giving you a career boost through investing in your skills development or preparing you for further research.

We have a large geology collection and the ability to measure unique geochemical reactions, giving you an insight into geology in practice.

Field trips are a huge part of why our community is so tight knit, and you’ll get to know your course mates while honing your practical skills. You will gain plenty of hands-on experience, with over 40 days of fieldwork both in the UK and overseas, the cost of which is included in your tuition fee.

The skills developed throughout your studies are highly valued by employers, from scientific and technical skills including coding, modelling, lab skills and data analysis, to transferable skills such as communication, creativity and resilience.

Studying biology at Bristol exposes you to the breadth of biological sciences, from enzymes to ecosystems. During your study you will gain knowledge of the diversity, evolution and functions of living organisms and the interactions between animals, microbes and plants.

Our course reflects the interdisciplinary nature of modern biology, taking into account the past, present and future of life on Earth.

Our biology degree starts broadly and then introduces more choice in years two and three, giving you the freedom to specialise or maintain breadth in your studies depending on your interests. The range of research-oriented and transferable skills you will learn will also enhance your employability as a graduate.

We have outstanding facilities in our brand new state-of-the-art Life Sciences Building and our lecturers are world-leading researchers in their fields.

This course immerses you in groundbreaking research and gives you the opportunity to contribute to work that could have a significant impact on future generations. It offers a breadth of topics, allowing you to choose your specialism while developing your knowledge and research skills.

In your first two years you will supplement your study of biochemistry with molecular biology and biotechnology units. Recent options have included Fundamentals of Molecular Microbiology, Disease and Defence, and Infection and Immunity.

Your third year introduces specialist, cutting-edge aspects of biochemistry, such as synthetic biology, DNA-protein interactions, and protein science in therapy and technology.

We prepare you for your future career with subject-specific employability and enterprise sessions and the chance to gain additional research experience on a summer studentship.

Our MSci course is ideal if you want to continue in research or to stand out when applying for a PhD.

In your first year you will gain a broad understanding of the biology of normal and cancerous cells. In addition to studying the immune system, you will take pathology, microbiology and biochemistry units.

In the second year you will study the cellular and molecular basis of cancer and its therapy as well as autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes and arthritis, and human cancers caused by viruses, such as papilloma and hepatitis B. You will take molecular genetics and an optional unit, possibly biochemistry or pharmacology, from a selection offered by other schools.

All practical teaching in years one and two is supported by the eBiolabs dynamic laboratory manual.

You will progress to undertake a research project or scientific dissertation, working in a research group in our Biomedical Sciences building or in one of the surrounding hospitals. Your work may even be published in scientific literature.

The additional, fourth year includes an extended research project and advanced research skills training with an emphasis on enterprise. You will plan projects, communicate with a variety of audiences and learn to translate and commercialise research.

The School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine focuses on turning science into medicine and these courses aim to launch you into a research career with an emphasis on translational research.