2012/2013

PhD (Cancer Biology)

NFQ Level 10, Major Award

The PhD (Cancer Biology) is a full-time programme that runs for 48 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Applicants must be able to undertake full-time study to the value of 90 credits per annum. Part-time study for this programme is not available.

Entry Requirements
For the PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology, applicants must possess a primary degree (minimum 2.1 honours or equivalent) in the biological sciences, medicine or pharmaceutical sciences. Applicants must submit a Personal Statement with their CV, along with the names and contact details of two academic referees. The Personal Statement should highlight past research experience and current research interests, as well as the applicant's intent to undertake PhD training at UCC. The Personal Statement is a critical component of the application; therefore the statement should reflect the applicant's professional goals, as well as familiarity with the PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology and faculty at UCC.

Applicants will be evaluated and accepted on the following selection criteria:

• academic qualifications
• research experience and focus
• quality of the Statement of Research Interests
• intent, rationale and commitment to cohort-based PhD training
• recommendation letters from referees

Programme Requirements
The PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology involves completion of high-level, original research work undertaken in years 2-4 of the programme, leading to the submission and examination of a PhD Thesis in Year 4 of the programme. Year 1 of the programme consists of three programme-specific modules (CB7004, CB7005, CB7006), three, twelve-week, laboratory rotation projects (CB7001, CB7002, CB7003), and a choice of two general, postgraduate training modules. Throughout Year 1, there will be special skills training workshops, designed to introduce students to various research techniques and methodologies, and seminars on topics relevant to cancer biology from local, national and international speakers. In years 2-4 of the programme, students will continue to participate in the programme via a cancer biology journal club (CB7007 and CB7008) and may avail of any training workshops and research seminars offered. Students in years 2-4 may also be assigned audit credits by the Programme Steering Committee for attendance at relevant modules, workshops and meetings on offer locally, nationally or internationally. Still, the primary focus of years 2-4 of the programme is high-quality, independent, biomedical research, leading to the award of the PhD.

Due to the cyclical nature of the PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology, a maximum of two attempts to pass specified modules is permitted. However, students have only one attempt to pass CB7001, CB7002, and CB7003. Therefore a student who fails to pass the First University Examination will be unable to proceed and must withdraw from the PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology.

YEAR 1

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Core modules
Students take 65 credits as follows:

CB7001 Cancer Biology: Advanced Laboratory Skills I (15 credits)
CB7002 Cancer Biology: Advanced Laboratory Skills II (15 credits)
CB7003 Cancer Biology: Advanced Laboratory Skills III (15 credits)
Note: The modules above are 12-week laboratory projects.
CB7004 Cell and Molecular Biology (10 credits)
CB7005 Human Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering Techniques (5 credits)
CB7006 Cancer: Biological and Clinical Perspectives (5 credits)

Elective modules
Students take 10 credits from the following:

PG6001 STEPS - Scientific Training for Enhanced Postgraduate Studies (5 credits)
PG6003 Teaching and Learning Module for Graduate Studies (5 credits)
PG6005 Biotechniques (5 credits)
PG6006 Commercialisation Skills for Research (5 credits)
PG6009 Graduate Information Literacy Skills (5 credits)

Research (15 Credits)

Near the end of year one, candidates will prepare, and orally present and defend, a 3,000 word thesis proposal facilitated by their chosen thesis mentor on their proposed thesis topic to the value of 15 credits.

YEAR 2

Students take 90 credits as follows:

CB7007 Current Topics in Cancer Biology I (5 credits)

Research (85 Credits)

Students will undertake supervised thesis research to the value of 85 credits.

YEAR 3

Students take 90 credits as follows:

CB7008 Current Topics in Cancer Biology II (5 credits)

Research (85 Credits)

Students will undertake supervised thesis research to the value of 85 credits.

YEAR 4

Research (90 Credits)

Students will undertake supervised thesis research to the value of 90 credits, leading to the completion and submission of a PhD thesis for examination.

Specialised Workshops (Years 1-4) not for credit:

Specialised workshops will form a core part of the programme. These workshops will include:

• Good lab practice, health and safety (year 1, 2)
• Scientific report writing (year 1-3)
• Scientific communication and presentation skills (year 1, 2)
• Developing a thesis proposal (year 1) ]
• Research ethics ((human, animal, misconduct, etc.) year 2)
• Bioinformatics training (years 2, 3)
• Project and time management (year 2)
• Grant planning and writing (year 3, 4)
• Thesis planning and writing (year 3, 4)
• Commercialisation, intellectual property (year 3)
• The professional environment, CV development and career planning (year 3)
• Interview skills (year 4)

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules, 2012/2013

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2013 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2012/2013.

See also under the General Regulations for the PhD Degree.