Radiobiology MSc

**The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.** <br/><br/>The MSc in Radiobiology is a one-year, full-time course, designed for individuals interested in a career in academic research in radiobiology or radiation oncology, or in professions that require a knowledge of radiobiology.<br/><br/>The main aim of this course is to combine the principles of radiobiology at molecular and cellular level with their clinical applications, providing a thorough grounding in radiobiology for MSc students, who may go on to a research degree, to complete a medical degree, or into an industry role or allied profession.<br/><br/>The course is based on a series of overarching learning outcomes, which you will be able to demonstrate on completion of your studies:<br/><br/><br/>- Explain the underpinning physics which governs the interactions between ionising radiation and biological tissues<br/><br/><br/>- Critically analyse the effects of ionising radiation on DNA and the associated DNA damage response, with respect to their effects on cell survival<br/><br/><br/>- Critically appraise the irradiation response of cells and tissues, including the factors that modify this response, with respect to how this may affect clinical practice<br/><br/><br/>- Evaluate the relationship between the characteristics of the tumour microenvironment and the response of that tumour to irradiation<br/><br/><br/>- Critically discuss the risks associated with radiation exposure, at the whole body and population level, and precautions which can be taken to mitigate these risks<br/><br/><br/>- Critically appraise the use of novel external beam radiotherapy techniques for the treatment of cancer<br/><br/><br/>- Explain the rationale and mechanisms of action of common treatments used as alternatives to, or in combination with, external beam radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer<br/><br/><br/>- Explain and evaluate the research approaches used in applied and translational research within the field of radiobiology<br/><br/><br/>- Apply the scientific method to address research questions within the field of radiobiology <br/><br/><br/>**Compulsory modules**<br/>You will take eight compulsory modules, which are delivered in two-week blocks, following on from each other:<br/><br/><br/>- Physics of Radiation Interactions<br/><br/><br/>- Molecular Radiation Biology<br/><br/><br/>- Radiobiology of Cells and Tissues<br/><br/><br/>- Tumour Immuno-Microenvironment and Radiation Response<br/><br/><br/>- Hazards of Radiation<br/><br/><br/>- Clinical Radiation Oncology<br/><br/><br/>- Combination Therapies and Theranostics<br/><br/><br/>- Translational Research Methods and Applications<br/><br/><br/>Modules one to four are delivered in Michaelmas term and build a picture of the biological responses to radiation from the sub-atomic level through to the effects on whole tissues, in both tumours and normal tissue.<br/><br/>Modules five to eight are delivered in Hilary term and cover the application of the underpinning principles of radiobiology in examples ranging from individual cancer patients through to whole populations in studies of radiation exposure.<br/><br/>**Balance of teaching**<br/>You can expect to receive seven to eight lectures and three to four tutorial or practical classes per module. There will also be preparatory reading, independent study tasks, and formative assessments set throughout the course, to be completed in the non-contact hours. Alongside the module specific tutorials, you will also attend a series of compulsory Directors’ Tutorials throughout the year. These cover overarching themes such as critiquing a scientific paper, or essay writing skills, and help to prepare you for specific assessment methods, including the dissertation.