Course Syllabus

 

Complexity of Cancer

 

Semester & Location:	Spring 2023 - 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:	Ida Christine Jacobsen Ahmad Kaouk Current students please use the canvas inbox to contact
Program contact:	Science and Health Department shsupport@dis.dk
Program Director:	Susana Dietrich
Time & Place:	Mondays & Thursdays, 16:25-17:45 in N7-B12

 

Faculty

	Ida Christine Jacobsen   M.D. (Copenhagen University, Denmark). Prior research work in the Dept. of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital. Currently working at the Depart. of Internal Medicine at Holbæk Hospital. With DIS since January 2019 as CA on the semester course Human Health and Disease: A Clinical Approach. Email: idja@dis.dk
	Ahmad Kaouk M.D. (Odessa Medical National University, Ukraine.) Previous 3 years, assistant professor in the Radiology department in Odessa National Medical University. Currently working in the Oncology department (radiotherapy) at Næstved hospital. With DIS since 2022.

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. Through journal clubs, students will evaluate the most recent clinical studies.

Classes will also include patient cases.

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.

  

Required Readings

• Textbook: 
  • Cancer and its Management. Robert Souhami & Jeffrey Tobais. e-book
• Reading on 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. 

Field Studies

Throughout the semester, you will have two field studies. 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.

 

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

Participation

Class participation covers the following areas:

- Attendance and level of preparation
- Contribution to class discussions and field studies

Class participation is an important part of this course and to receive full credit students should be present at all the scheduled classes and actively participate.

Journal Club presentations

During the course, the students are asked to present one scientific paper as a group presentation 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. 

Tests 

At least two written assignments consisting of short essay and multiple choice questions will test the students progress throughout the course.

Final Assignment 

At the end of the semester, the students will have the opportunity to work with a topic of their own choice in small groups and present findings from seminal papers in poster format in an end of semester exhibition to their classmates.

Grading

Participation                                             20% 

Tests (2 each 15 %)                                  30%

Journal Club Presentations                    20%

Final Assignment                                     30%

 

COVID-19 

We all have a collective responsibility to avoid the spread of COVID-19 at DIS. If you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19 (Dry cough, high temperature, breathing difficulties, sore throat, headache, muscle pain), please stay at home and inform your faculty that you won’t be in class or at a field study – this will count as an excused absence. Keep up with the work and join activities via distance learning, if you are able to and if it is an option in your class (check with your faculty). If you are too sick to do work, reach out to the care team at care@dis.dk for medical support and coordinate with your faculty to make up missed class time. 

Academic Regulations  

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

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

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