Research Skills & Technology Exploitation
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ONCG4015 | Cancer and Stem Cells | 4 | 20 | Full Year UK |
- Code
- ONCG4015
- School
- Cancer and Stem Cells
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Full Year UK
Summary
The purpose of this module is to develop the skills to critically appraise scientific research papers to learn about commercialisation of research and to develop a business plan to a novel therapeutic approach for a specific disease.
The module will consist of a journal club (specific to the course the students are on) and a series of lectures, workshops and tutorials looking at the Biotech industry and the commercialisation of research.
There will be lectures on patent applications and technology transfer with individuals from the biotech and pharm industry giving overviews. Students will gain hands on experience in the design of a business plan to raise the funding to develop a product.
Training will be provided, and students will be expected to demonstrate understanding (through assessment) in the key aspects of writing and presenting a business plan, defining the product and its competition, and quantifying the need for finance. Students will be divided into teams which will form a company, and each assigned an individual role within that company.
The team will select a recent paper that describes a technology that could be commercially viable and together work through the development plan. Individually team members will write and present a business plan to bring that technology closer to market.
Support will be given to students in the form of lectures and tutorials but the onus is on the individual and the team to work independently and together (respectively).
Although students will work as a team, ALL assessments will be submitted, and marks awarded on an individual basis.
Target Students
Primarily postgraduate students in the Division of Cancer and Stem Cells
Classes
50 hours of lectures with discussion and small group activities, across Semester 1 & 2 and private study
Assessment
- 20% Timed Assessment: In-class assessment. Critical analysis of a research paper (3 hours)
- 20% Presentation 1: Oral Presentation of Group Business Plan (15 minutes total)
- 60% Coursework 1: Individual presentation of business plan (3000 word report)
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
To develop the students ability to critically evaluate scientific research papers and to learn the skill necessary for the development of a business plan.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
A student who completes this module successfully will be able to describe, interpret and appraise the applicability of research skills and exploitation of technologies related to stem cells or cancer immunology or oncology in clinical applications, tissue engineering, commerce and basic research.
The curriculum will provide purpose-designed lectures to ensure appropriate coverage of the topic, with many features reinforced and further explored in the tutorial classes and Graduate School courses and other University resources such as the University careers service. The assessed Business Plan competition will require students to research the topic independently and in small groups.
Intellectual Skills
A student who completes this course successfully will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to translation and commercialisation of basic research and relevant research skills required during this process collate and critically analyse scientific data / arguments to enable clear and correct oral or written presentation to both lay and specialist audiences.
Apply an entrepreneurial mindset to both research and industrial applications.
The Business Plan competition assessments will enable the students to express research evaluation and business proposals in different formats.
Practical Skills
A student who completes this module successfully will be able to:
Apply numeracy and calculative skills to enable experimental design and data analysis / interpretation.
Prepare a business plan to develop / exploit stem cell, cancer immunology or oncology technologies
Understanding of this theory is likely to be tested by the multiple choice and short answer exam questions, oral presentation of the business plan as well as in the assessed written Business Plan.
Transferable (key) Skills
A student who completes this module successfully will be able to:
Communicate effectively both with scientific professionals and the public using a variety of formats, including technical writing oral and poster presentations, and discussions.
Effectively time-manage, as evidenced by the ability to plan, self-motivate and implement efficient modes of working.
Exploit a range of information sources to enable effective problem solving, research implementation and coherent debating.
Show an ethical attitude to research and commerce
Demonstrate information technology skills, including word processing, bibliography management and internet communication.
Demonstrate interpersonal and team-working skills, including effective listening, leadership, team building, influencing and project management skills.
Display evidence-based critical learning
Research for the Business Plan will encourage the use of a wide range of available resources and the feedback during progress tutorials will ensure continued development.
Students will be encouraged to practice the presentation skills learned in the Graduate School courses within the Business Plan assessments.
Information on course (module) registration and enrolment can be found on the Course (Module) Enrolment site.