Contact
CLSPGT
+44 (0)116 252 5710
Dr Ralf Schmid (Course Convenor)
+44 (0)116 229 7023
bioscipgt@le.ac.uk
- Course description
- Entry requirements
- Fees and funding
- Careers and employability
- Related courses
Course description
Course description
Please note, this course is being advertised subject to approval.
Understanding cancer at the molecular and cellular level is essential for developing new treatments. In a modern scientific research environment, this requires mastery of both computational bioinformatics and experimental laboratory approaches. This MSc will train you in cutting-edge bioinformatics and molecular biology approaches, equipping you with the skills needed to drive advances in cancer research.
You will begin by spending three months learning bioinformatics skills by working in the Linux environment, on a course-supplied and configured laptop, learning programming in Python. You will also learn about cutting-edge approaches to genomics, transcriptomics and protein bioinformatics. Subsequently you will undertake four months of intensive taught lab work, tutorials and lectures that are focussed on the molecular and cellular aspects of cancer biology.
This will be followed by a three-month independent experimental research project, that can involve computational and laboratory analyses. Throughout the course you will learn how to mine large datasets, analyse research data, critically assess research papers, and communicate complex scientific ideas and processes.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Careers and employability
Related courses
Course structure
- Modules
- Research Project
Modules
Modules
- Gene and genome analysis
- Proteins: Structure and Bioinformatics
- Bioinformatics Programming and Advanced Topics in Bioinformatics
- Introduction to Molecular Techniques
- Research Methods in Cancer Biology
- Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology
Plus your research project.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Research Project
Why Leicester?
You will have the opportunity to learn from some of the UK's leading researchers about contemporary approaches to the analysis of large biological datasets and laboratory approaches to genetics research.
This course combines a practically-orientated, full-time computational and laboratory training programme with a three-month individual research project.
Departmental Seminars and College Research Theme Days, featuring visiting and internal speakers, will bring you right up-to-date with your chosen topic.
Teaching and learning
The course material is taught using a combination of lectures, problem-solving, small group work, drop-in sessions and self-directed learning. The taught modules are assessed by in-module assessments (e.g. practical reports, programming assignments, presentations) and by exams.
In your research project you will develop independence, initiative and understanding whilst performing the project and present your results in a thesis and a final oral presentation. To bring you right up-to-date with your chosen topic, you can attend departmental seminars and College research days dedicated to specific topics that include both visiting and internal speakers.
Key dates
September 2025 start
- Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
- Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
- CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Bioinformatics and Cancer Biology | Qualification MSc | Duration 1 year, full-time | Start Dates September each year |
Availability
This course is being advertised subject to approval. |
