Course Catalogue

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This course provides research-focused exposure to the aetiology of cancer, its prevention, screening, therapy and palliation. This in-depth understanding is designed to provide students with insight into the basis of translation of cancer research from the laboratory to clinical practice.

On average approximately 6 x 1.5 hour sessions per week in Semester One, and 2 x 1.5 hour session per week in Semester 2.

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Actively enrolled in an MBChB or BDS and normally have successfully completed at least the first 3 years. Exceptionally, some external students from specific partner institutions may join the course after completion of two years of MBChB or BDS (or equivalent); however award of the intercalated degree will be withheld until they have subsequently completed the required number of additional credits (or equivalent) at their home institution.

Recommended Entry Requirements

Will normally be placed within the top 50% of the year and have demonstrated good academic progress.

None

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Core Course

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Research Project

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Statistics

Assessment

65% written examinations in April/May

35% review essay completed during 2nd semester

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to supplement the standard medical curriculum by providing a research-based understanding of the development and spread of cancer, together with a critical appreciation of how this new scientific knowledge might affect current and future prevention screening, therapy and palliation. The emphasis will be on principles rather than details and on giving a discriminating insight into the challenges of tackling one of our most important health problems.

By the end of this course students will be able to

■ Critically discuss, with reference to the appropriate literature, the basic principles of:

■ cancer epidemiology;

■ development of cancer;

■ invasion and metastasis;

■ molecular and clinical genetics of cancer;

■ cancer diagnosis and staging;

■ Describe the principles of radiotherapy and chemotherapy;

■ Summarise and identify appropriate palliative and nursing care options for cancer patients;

■ Critically discuss recent developments in cancer research.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.

Attendance of at least 80% of lectures and tutorials is mandatory along with active participation in the seminar and other teaching opportunities.