Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (Cancer Biology)

at University of Westminster - Cavendish Campus United Kingdom

This exciting interdisciplinary degree considers how the structure and function of the brain gives rise to mental processes while it interacts with its physical, social, and cultural environment.

Cognitive and clinical neuroscience blends theoretical, experimental and applied aspects of psychology with neuroscience, and overlaps with other psychological disciplines including physiological, cognitive and clinical psychology, developmental science, psychopharmacology and neuroanthropology.

Our unique course places a particular focus on brain-behaviour relationships, by bringing together evidence from molecular and cellular neuroscience, brain injury studies, neurological illness, and also looks at developmental and cognitive aspects. It explores a wide range of research-based and clinically relevant methodologies including brain imaging, computational modelling and comparative cognition (considering evolutionary and developmental approaches).

During your degree, you’ll consider all aspects of cognitive functioning, from learning, memory and language through to concepts such as intelligence, decision-making, creativity and consciousness.

Our course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to develop a career across a vast range of highly sought-after employment areas, including academic research, clinical psychology, experimental research, IT and neuropsychology. You’ll also gain the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.

Our course examines the best ways to design, build, maintain and evaluate software systems. It uses many of the technical aspects of computer science, especially programming, and aims to develop the professional attitudes, interpersonal and technical skills you’ll need in the software engineering industry.

The course provides a solid foundation in software engineering theory and practice to develop professional software systems. It will equip you to take up a wide range of career opportunities, including software engineer, web application programmer, software designer/analyst or website designer/programmer.

You’ll study software development, programming languages, technologies and applications including Python, Java, HTML, PHP, UML, database technologies, machine learning, algorithms and data structures, web and mobile computing, Agile software development, Big Data technologies, cloud computing, concurrency and formal methods. Sharing a common first year with the Computer Science BSc Honours course to which you can transfer in Year 1, you specialise is Software Engineering from Year 2.

In Year 4 (Master's level), our integrated Master's course enables you to extend your knowledge and experience of software engineering gained at the BEng level by studying and developing systems of increased complexity, gaining a developer knowledge of new paradigms and studying advanced issues around cybersecurity – threats facing businesses and organisations that depend on IT systems.

Top reasons to study with us

• Our integrated Master's course will give you advanced software engineering knowledge
• Our course will help you develop your problem-solving skills. We practise problem-based teaching, allowing you to develop your skills in analysing problems within contexts so you can find the best technological solutions
• You'll be involved in real-life projects and gain hands-on experience of working either individually or in a software development team
• Our course reflects the dynamics of the software industry – you'll learn state-of-the-art techniques and subjects such as machine learning, AI algorithms, robotics and smart systems, the Internet of Things, Big Data technologies, complex heterogeneous systems, and cloud-based, distributed and parallel software solutions
• You'll qualify for free British Computer Society (BCS) academic membership for the duration of your studies. The BCS supports those working in the IT industry and has a commitment to making IT good for society. The organisation has over 60,000 members in 150 countries, and a wider community of business leaders, educators, practitioners and policy-makers. Membership of the BCS will allow you to continue your professional development and enjoy a range of valuable networking opportunities.

Smart computer system engineering is a growing market in today’s computer industry. Embedded systems have become widespread and can be found in almost all modern consumer devices, from washing machines to cars and robots. Computer system technologies are becoming smart and expanding even further to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity. You’ll study all of these topics throughout our course.

Our Smart Computer Systems BEng is designed around three themes: software/hardware programming, wireless networking and smart technologies. You’ll be exposed to many programming opportunities for a multitude of platforms and operating systems, and acquire an excellent knowledge of networking and client/server programming leading to the latest developments of the Internet of Things ecosystems, security and smart technologies such as smart sensors, robotics, machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Our course aims to provide an exciting, enjoyable and rewarding learning experience, which will serve as a solid foundation for a successful professional engineering career and meet the current demand from employers.

Top reasons to study with us

• Expert-led workshops will help you develop in-demand skills
• An exciting, enjoyable and rewarding learning experience in the heart of London
• Our course will prepare you to be resilient and adaptable to changes that engineering and technology bring
• You'll qualify for free British Computer Society (BCS) academic membership for the duration of your studies. The BCS supports those working in the IT industry and has a commitment to making IT good for society. The organisation has over 60,000 members in 150 countries, and a wider community of business leaders, educators, practitioners and policy-makers. Membership of the BCS will allow you to continue your professional development and enjoy a range of valuable networking opportunities.

Our Computer Science BSc will give you the computing skills and knowledge to help shape the future of businesses and organisations.

A key benefit of our course is its flexibility. You'll be able to build a customised route within computer science, following a pathway in one of several computing areas to suit your interests. You'll develop a wide range of skills and knowledge in areas such as creative computing, information systems, graphics and games development, mobile and web computing, software engineering, design and development, software security, and artificial intelligence.

You'll use industrial tools and techniques throughout our course and graduate well versed in all aspects of the software lifecycle. You'll have the chance to apply your new knowledge and skills to real-world problems, usually in the form of a small-scale project set by an external organisation. As well as the technical skills you'll develop as part of this project, and you'll build vital transferable skills around the areas of commercial awareness, leadership and organisation.

Top reasons to study with us

• Choose your own path – Our flexible course allows you to study the areas of computing you are most interested in, while still getting a broad education in computing
• Get real-life work experience – Increase your employability and put your problem-solving skills into practice by completing a year in industry during your course. Past destinations for our students include: Apple, AppNexus, Bromley Healthcare CIC, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, PGIM, ServiceNow, Sony, SR Group
• Prepare for your career – Career prospects for computer science students are excellent, and our degree will prepare you for graduate roles such as computer programmer, web developer, junior specialist developer, and software developer
• Start your journey as an IT professional – Our course is intended to fulfil the requirements of the British Computer Society (BCS), which means it complies with rigorous academic and professional standards as set out by the BCS. It also allows graduates to gain registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and partial registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Improved global life expectancy has resulted in a cancer epidemic. It is well recognised that accurate early diagnosis is an essential aspect of the administration of increasingly expensive and tailored cancer treatment care plans.

The Biomedical Sciences (Cancer Biology) MSc programme has been devised to provide knowledge of key aspects of this increasingly important disease area.

You will become familiar with the genetic and cellular changes occurring in both solid and blood-borne cancers, the current and emerging technological approaches for diagnosis of the disease and the effect on pertinent cellular changes on patient prognosis. Studies on populations and the influence of genotypic variation will ensure that you are qualified to make sense of cancer statistics.

You are able to tailor your programme by selecting from a menu of option modules and pursuing a research project in an area ranging from molecular through to cellular or tissue-based aspects of cancer.

During the course you will join our thriving research environment and will have access to excellent laboratory facilities within the School. On successful completion of the course you will be equipped to take forward your career with an in-depth knowledge of this increasingly common disease area.

Our Biochemistry BSc will give you the skills and knowledge to establish yourself in a range of careers related to biochemistry, including the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology industries.

Biochemistry is a pivotal degree discipline and a fundamental part of all the biological sciences. It is the study of living systems at the molecular level, and biochemists study the ways in which cells and organisms are formed. This involves examining the structure and function of molecules found in living systems, as well as experimental investigations of the properties of biological systems ranging in complexity from cell extracts to whole organisms, and elucidating the roles of specific genes in the cells in which they are expressed.

The foundation of our course is our thriving research in diverse areas of biochemistry, including biotechnology, cancer biology, membrane transport, molecular diagnostics and therapeutics, plant biochemistry, and protein structure.

In this degree, you'll gain a sound foundation in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and analytical biochemical techniques. Your laboratory and research skills will be developed throughout your degree, culminating in your final-year project in which you'll undertake original research of your own.

This course will enable you to enhance your knowledge and understanding of modern cellular pathology through a range of option modules. In addition, the core modules in cellular pathology are designed to deliver a comprehensive overview of contemporary technical practice in the context of service delivery to the pathologist for diagnostic practice, or for the scientist engaged in cell and tissue-based research.

Our specialist cellular pathology modules are supported by the online use of interactive digital microscopy, for example in pathology case studies, to illustrate the applications of a range of visualisation methods in cellular pathology. Practical experience in research design and methodology is gained through the laboratory-based research project.

Recent technological advances decreasing hardware costs and the ‘Internet of things’ has led to a rapid explosion in the amount of data generated in a variety of domains, including data-driven science, telecommunications, social media, large-scale e-commerce, medical records and e-health. Big data refers to the ability of exploiting these massive amounts of extremely heterogeneous in structure and content data that are routinely generated at an unprecedented scale from an ever-expanding variety of data sources. Business and industry used their big data to extract a better understanding of customers’ needs and behaviour, to develop targeted new products and to cut operational costs. The competitive advantages and productivity gains that big data brought led to a great number of a big data projects and a shortage of people with the required skills.

This course is aimed at people who want to move into this rapidly expanding and exciting area; it has a strong vocational flavour as it has been designed to build your knowledge and understanding of big data systems architectures and to equip you with the range of highly marketable, hands-on skills employed by the core technologies utilised in big data projects.

Working in the world of information systems can be exciting and rewarding as businesses become more and more reliant on information systems to support innovation, decision making and day-to-day operations.

The creative use of information systems can transform organisations. Successful enterprises require hybrid managers and analysts who can evaluate and use the tools, gauge the risks and provide the key insights and sound direction for strategic business planning.

Our Business Information Systems BSc will give you a clear perspective of the current nature and practice of business information systems, and will develop your understanding of the business challenges of an enterprise, and your ability to conceive and manage solutions which are increasingly ICT dependent.

You’ll integrate your skills of problem solving and information systems modelling with your knowledge of business processes and environments. You’ll be able to consult on, support or develop the technological platforms of an enterprise to achieve competitive advantage, building a career in roles ranging from systems developer to business manager.

Our course offers a short-term work-based learning experience that will give you the opportunity to work on a real-life problem, which is normally set by an external organisation as a small-scale project. This experience will allow you to put your new knowledge and skills into practice by addressing a real-life situation, usually within the context of a business-related problem.

Our Data Science and Analytics BSc will give you the combination of analytical, technical and presentation skills to convert data into valuable insights.

In a constantly changing global environment, the massive use of social networks and the Internet of Things are generating a huge and fast-growing amount of data. Data processing is carried out through increasingly complex and sophisticated computer capabilities and algorithmic models, and involves advanced storage technologies such as cloud computing. 

As a result, there is currently a great need for professionals who can process, understand and present this data in an appropriate and effective way. These skills are much needed by businesses, which collect data from customers, partners and from the market in which they operate to support evidence-based decision making. Governments rely on data to improve their policies and deliver better services as well.

Studying our course, you'll develop knowledge of the fundamental principles and technologies that underpin the disciplines of maths, statistics and computing with an emphasis on the skills and theories required in data science and analytics. You'll learn how to apply cutting-edge maths, statistics and computer science techniques and tools to collect, store, prepare, analyse and visualise data, while analysing and understanding organisations’ operations, environment and related issues. 

Top reasons to study with us

• Master key data science skills – You’ll learn how to make sense of data using various machine learning algorithms and statistical techniques, and how to use top programming languages such as R and Python for a career in Data Science and Analytics
• Boost your employability – You’ll have the opportunity to experience work-based learning including working for a year in industry, gaining skills that’ll give you an edge in the graduate market
• Use state-of-the-art computing facilities – You’ll have access to 34 specialist labs, various Operating Systems (Windows 10, Unix, Linux and Mac OSX), Microsoft development software for free, and VR hardware available in our labs to develop with
• Develop in-demand skills – Data analysis is a growing industry, with governments and businesses in need of professionals who can analyse data to support key decision-making
• Learn the fundamentals – You'll graduate with knowledge of the fundamental principles and technologies that underpin maths, statistics and computing