Course Syllabus
Tumor Biology and Oncology
|
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2024 - DIS Stockholm |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Biology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science |
| Prerequisites |
One year of biology at university level |
| Faculty Member: |
Pavitra Kannan (pavitra.kannan@disstockholm.se) |
| Program Director: |
Susana Dietrich |
| Time & Place: |
Tuesdays & Fridays, 8.30-9.50, E-509 |
Course Description
How does a cancer cell form and develop into a tumor? And how do we detect, diagnose, and treat cancer? This course will cover the molecular and cellular events involved in tumor formation, progression, and metastasis. It will also cover clinical aspects of different types of cancer, diagnostic procedures, and the specific therapies (surgery and various oncological treatments) that are used to treat cancer. You will also learn about cancer research methodology, its strengths and limitations, psychosocial perspectives of cancer diagnosis, and palliative oncology and supportive care. Course material will focus on the correlation between the molecular basis of cancer and its clinical implications.
Please note that the syllabus is subject to change, with notice.
Learning Objectives
After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the biological basis for the occurrence and appearance of tumor cells
- Identify the hallmarks of cancer and how they contribute to tumor survival
- Explain the mode of action and rationale for different cancer treatments
- Discuss the psychological and social impact of receiving a cancer diagnosis
- Evaluate findings in cancer research papers
Faculty
|
Pavitra Kannan, PhD My research at Karolinska Institutet focuses on how cancer cells develop resistance to treatment. My approach to research and teaching involves combining the scientific method with curiosity-driven, experiential learning. Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, 2012. Postdoctoral training, University of Oxford, 2018. |
Approach to Teaching
Different teaching formats will be used to foster active learning: interactive lectures, role play, class discussions, group work, case studies, field studies, and presentations. Patient examples will be used to illustrate some of the topics. Students are expected to engage actively in class in oral presentations, discussions, group work, and exercises. Before each lecture, a pdf of the presentation will be posted on Canvas.
Readings
- Select chapters from the books:
- Weinberg R. The Biology of Cancer (2nd ed). New York, NY: Garland Sciences, 2014.
- DeVita V. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology (3rd ed). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer, 2020.
- Peer-reviewed scientific articles posted on Canvas.
Field Studies
There are two field studies in this course. Information on the field studies will be provided a few days before the event.
Guest Lecturers
During the course, two faculty members from surrounding universities in Stockholm will give lectures on topics related to cancer. More information will be provided during the course.
Expectations of Students
- When indicated by the instructor, laptops may be used for note‐taking, fact‐checking, or assignment in the classroom.
- Please come to class on time.
- Be respectful of others and their opinions. Please listen patiently and engage in constructive dialogue.
Evaluation
Class participation
Students need to be present and proactive in discussions to receive full credit. The final grade will be affected by unexcused absences and lack of participation.
Worksheets
Group worksheets and activities will be used to explore case studies and to get hands-on experience using public databases.
Reading questions and quizzes
A substantial part of each class is dependent on discussions from assigned readings, which must completed prior to the class session. Reading questions and quizzes will be administered periodically to ensure comprehension and to test critical thinking skills. The quizzes will comprise few, short, essay-type questions related to the assigned readings or to class material.
Project work and presentations
The theme of the main project is "the present and future of cancer care". To integrate knowledge from this course, students will work individually and together on a project investigating the following for a particular type of cancer:
- Part 1: identify the risks and causes using public databases (10%)
- Part 2: present a patient experience of cancer treatment (15%)
- Part 3: design and present a research proposal that tackles an unsolved cancer challenge (25%)
Grading
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class all of the assigned work must be completed. Late assignments will be accepted, but the grade for the paper will be reduced by 10%/day. The factors influencing the final grade and the proportional importance of each factor is shown below:
|
Component |
Weight |
|
Class participation |
15% |
|
Worksheets |
15% |
|
Reading questions and quizzes |
20% |
|
Project work and presentations |
50% |
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 |
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