Application deadline

Type of course

Admission requirements

The course can be taken as a singular course by students with a Bachelor´s degree in Biomedicine or similar (180 ECTS).

Recommended prerequisites: Basic knowledge at University Bachelor level in cell and molecular biology and genetics.

Application code (nordic applicants): 9371

The minimum average grade requirement is:

• C - for bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand
• B - for bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in all other countries

Course content

Objectives of the course

After the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge:

• List the major cancer types with regard to cellular origin.
• Descibe typical histological features and explain the nomenclature of benign and malignant tumours.
• Recite evidence indicating that tumours arise from normal tissues in a multistep process.
• Explain how mutations arise and recite evidence indicating that cancer is caused by mutations.
• Describe which cellular processes go awry in the (multistep) process of cancer development, including genetic and epigenetic changes.
• Describe and give concrete examples of how the cell cycle is regulated by growth factors, receptors, cell cycle regulators, oncogenes and tumour suppressors, and how this affects tumour growth.
• Describe how certain viruses contribute to the cause of cancer.
• Explain the role of pRB in the cell cycle.
• Explain how disruption of the cell cycle contributes to cancer.
• Explain the role of p53 in the regulation of DNA repair and apoptosis.
• Recite various DNA repair mechanisms and explain how defects in DNA repair relate to cancer.
• Describe cellular senescence and the underlying mechanisms.
• Describe the role of telomeres and telomerases in normal cells and how these roles are altered in tumour cells.
• Explain and discuss the cancer stem cell theory.
• Describe the principles of angiogenesis and stroma formation and explain why it is critical for survival of the cancer cells.
• Describe the role of the tumour microenvironment and the inflammatory process for the progression of cancer.
• Describe the necessary steps in the metastatic process.
• List different therapeutic approaches targeting angiogenesis and metastatic process.
• Explain the role of the immune system in cancer biology.
• Explain how the immune system may be exploited to make tumour cells more susceptible to immunologic attack.
• Describe conventional cancer therapy and discuss the tumour microenvironment, immune system/inflammatory process, cell cycle regulation, oncogenes and tumour suppressors as potential therapeutic targets.

Skills:

• Search, acquire and critically assess advanced knowledge in a specific field of cancer biology.
• Employ current concepts, ideas and expressions through oral presentations.

General proficiency:

• Implement and critical evaluate general information gained in the field of cancer biology.
• Discuss different therapeutic approaches based in a general knowledge of cancer biology.
• Communicate knowledge in cancer biology.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Information to incoming exchange students

This course is open for inbound exchange students.

Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: INBOUND STUDENT MOBILITY: COURSE COORDINATORS AT THE FACULTIES | UiT

Recommended reading/syllabus