Course Syllabus

Complexity of Cancer

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2018 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:

Biology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science

Prerequisites:

One year of biology and one year of chemistry at university level

Faculty Members:

Henrik Villibald Hansen and Bodil Engelmann

Program Director:

Lisbeth Borbye 

Time & Place:

Mondays & Thursdays, 16:25-17:45, V10-A32

Faculty

Henrik Photo-1.jpg

Henrik Hansen
M.D., Ph.D. (University of Copenhagen, 2008/2015). Clinical Oncology Fellow, Department of Oncology, National University Hospital (Rigshospitalet). With DIS Since 2011.

 

Bodil Photo.jpg

Bodil Engelmann
M.D., Ph.D. (University of Copenhagen, 2007/2014). Clinical Oncology Fellow, Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital. With DIS since 2014.

 


Course Description

This course offers an in-depth, clinically focused, examination of major cancer types. In order to get an understanding for the clinical reality surrounding solid tumors and cancer patients, overall themes will include classifications, biological foundations, diagnostics, specific therapies, and respective complications. Through journal clubs, students will evaluate the most recent clinical studies.

Classes will also include transposed patient cases, as well as student presentations.


Expected Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this course, students will be able to

Express knowledge about tumor biology, therapy and the most common solid tumors.
Explain the basic concepts of clinical research in oncology.
Appreciate that cancer is both a clinical and an experimental science in constant development.
Appreciate the importance and validity of the ‘established’ therapies.
Increase awareness of the impact of a cancer diagnosis for the individual patient.

DIS Contacts
Lisbeth Borbye, Program Director
Bethany Cucka, Program Assistant, bcu@dis.dk
Science & Health Programs Office: Vestergade 10-B12

  

Required Readings

  • Textbook: Cancer and its Management. Robert Souhami & Jeffrey Tobais. Blackwell Publishing. 5th and 6th editions in use, page numbers differ only slightly
  • Reading on Canvas (https://canvas.disabroad.org/login/canvas):
    • Rubin, E, et al. Neoplasia (Chapter 5 pp.165 –207) in: Rubins Pathology. Emanuel Rubin 4ed. 2005

Please make sure to read all the material assigned; the reading material has been carefully chosen and all of it is pertinent to your success in Complexity of Cancer. You have an obligation to your fellow classmates and yourself to come prepared to class. If you have questions or need clarification about readings or lecture material do not hesitate to speak up. The professors for this course have no office hours so please feel free to set up appointments with them via email. The professors’ emails are below; please feel free to also email program assistant Bethany Cucka at bcu@dis.dk


Field Studies

Throughout the semester, you will have a workshop and a field study. Both are meant to provide you with new perspectives on topics being learned in class. These take place on Wednesdays so as not to interfere with your other classes. The first, a workshop, provides a relaxed atmosphere in which we will present the students with tools for reading, understanding and presenting scientific papers in oncology – tools we will use throughout the semester.  

 

Expectations of the Students
Classroom Etiquette

Access to the Internet can be a valuable aid in the classroom learning environment. Students are welcome to use laptops, smart phones, and other devices in order to explore concepts related to course discussions and topics only. Students are discouraged from using technology in ways that distract from the learning community (e.g. Facebook, texting, work for other classes, etc.). Doing so will influence your ability to perform optimal in class and hence influence your participation grade.

 

Evaluation
Assignments

During the course, the students are asked to present one scientific paper as a group presentation (in groups of 4-6 people) as part of a journal club. All students are expected to have read the papers and to be prepared for classroom discussions.  The groups will present their work to the class, as a part of the day´s lecture, and their presentation will be part of the material covered in the tests. The groups will also be asked to prepare a simulated consultation informing a patient on a specific treatment setup

 

Tests and Final

There will be three tests throughout the semester. These tests will consist of a mix of short answer questions, and short essay questions. The material covered in each test, will be all that has been covered prior to the test. Tests in class will generally last approximately 40-60 minutes depending on the amount of information covered.  The final for this course will be cumulative and will be written in the same manner as the three tests.  The final will be two hours in duration.   


Grading

Participation                                             25% 

Tests (3 each 15%)                                   45%

Final                                                         30%

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Course Summary:

Date Details Due