Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer (P02411)

? Credit Points : 40 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : MED-P-MED

This Module is designed to provide insight into the multi-disciplinary nature of modern cancer research. Emphasis will be put on the need to integrate studies on gene expression and genome integrity with understanding the role of protein structure/function and cell signalling in the development and progression of cancer, as well as the identification of potential targets for therapeutic intervention. This will lead to discussions on how cancer treatments can best be developed and targeted.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Life Sciences, (Medicine, Schedule R)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : To be arranged/Unknown

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

? Additional Class Information : The course will be based around a current text (Biology of Cancer by Robert Weinberg) that is suitable for postgraduate teaching. Twice weekly sessions will be held and led by members of the IGMM who are based in the Cancer Research Centre.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The purpose of the mini-project is to ascertain that students:
- have a thorough knowledge of the relevant literature, can make a critical appraisal of the key material in it and can place their own proposed project in its context;
- can accurately report the work already done and its significance

Assessment Information

Twice weekly sessions on a number of topics will be held and led by members of the IGMM who are based in the Cancer Research Centre. Students will be expected to prepare and present research articles selected by the member of staff and discussions will be based around the presentation and the appropriate text. To tie in with the discussion sessions the students will also carry out a 10 week research project in the Cancer Research Centre chosen from 8-10 possible projects supplied by the discussion session organisers.

Students will produce a report at the end of the mini-project for assessment in the form of a scientific paper (no more than 5,000 words) to provide practice in accurate and concise writing. The mini-project report should be prepared to high standard. Students will also be asked to include in this report a brief critique, spelling out the strengths and weaknesses of the project design or experimental approach.