The course will provide knowledge on cancer stems in leukaemia and solid tumours, the role of the tumour microenvironment in sustaining the disease and promoting disease progression. Tumour invasion, metastasis and cancer metabolism will be studied in-depth. This course will highlight the complexities of cancer and the challenges cancer clinicians face in treating patients. Teaching methods will consist of lectures, journal clubs and tutorials.

Teaching takes place over 5 weeks in semester 1 with students attending lectures and tutorials.

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1. Critically review a scientific manuscript (2000 words) (75% weighting) - ILOs 1 & 2

2. Oral group presentation (15mins) on a current treatment approach (25% weighting) - ILOs 3 & 4

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. 

Reassessment is not available for the group presentation.

This course aims to provide students with detail knowledge on how tumours are influenced by altered cell signalling, the tumour microenvironment and changes in cellular metabolism. It will explore how these processes contribute to treatment resistance, genetic instability and ultimately to disease progression.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically discuss with reference to the primary literature, the role of stem cells, microenvironment and metabolism in cancer evolution.

2. Evaluate and discuss the challenges faced when preventing disease progression.

3. Communicate and work effectively within a group of colleagues to deliver a set task.

4. Prepare and deliver effective oral presentations to a scientific audience.

5. Critically review scientific literature and demonstrate the ability to interpret and critique results.

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