LBIOL52102A Oncology Course Descriptor

Course Overview

This course will provide learners with the fundamental principles, concepts, and terminology of the field of oncology. It will present an overview of the incidence, aetiology and common types of cancer, including how cellular, molecular, and genetic changes contribute to cancer growth and metastasis. The course will also discuss risk reduction, early detection, and several cancer treatments. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

This is an e-learning course, taught throughout the year. 

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

• Online learning
• Online discussion groups
• Online assessment

Course information and supplementary materials will be available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Learners are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Learners are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

• Off-the-job learning and teaching (6 days x 7 hours) = 42 hours
• On-the-job learning (12 days x 7 hours) = 84 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 6 weeks)
• Private study (4 hours per week) = 24 hours

Total = 150 hours

Workplace assignments (see below) will be completed as part of on-the-job learning.

Assessment

Formative

Learners will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide students with developmental feedback. 

Summative

Assessment will be in two forms:

Feedback

Learners will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Learners will also attend a formal meeting with their Academic Advisor or Success Manager (and for apprentices, including their Line Manager). These bi or tri-partite reviews will monitor and evaluate the learner’s progress.  

Feedback is provided on summatively assessed assignments and through generic internal examiners’ reports, both of which are posted on the VLE.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Guide or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books

Basu, S. K., Panda, C. K., & Goswami, S. (Eds.). (2022). Cancer diagnostics and therapeutics : current trends, challenges, and future perspectives. Springer.

Mendelsohn, J., Gray, J. W., Howley, P. M., Israel, M. A., & Thompson, C. B. (2015). The Molecular Basis of Cancer (4th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.

Pham, P. V. (2020). Cancer biology and advances in treatment. (16th Ed.). Cham: Springer.

Journals

Learners are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on oncology as directed by their course leader.

Electronic Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on the history and general design of clinical trials.

Indicative Topics

Learners will study the following topics:

• Cancer Biology
• Oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes
• Cancer detection

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