Tumour Biology, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Specific information

The purpose of the course is for the students to obtain advanced knowledge about
tumour development in general including the genetic basis of human cancer. Furthermore, the course will give an overview of cancer by site taking into account different clinical and biological aspects as well as the occurrence of specific gene alterations. The course is elective semester one or three in the Master’s Programme in Experimental and Medical Biosciences.

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Experimental and Medical Biosciences

Entry requirements

The special eligibility requirement is the possession of the Degree of Bachelor of Sciences in a major subject area with relevance for biomedical sciences. This could include previous studies at faculties of medicine, technology/natural sciences, odontology or veterinary medicine. A major part of courses included in the Bachelor degree should be in subjects such as biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, gene technology, microbiology, physiology, immunology, histology, anatomy, and pathology.

Applicants must also have documented skills in English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English B). For applicants who have not studied in Swedish upper secondary education, skills in English are normally attested to by means of an international language test.

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the course the students will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding

• Analyze and discuss specific capabilities of cancer cells and how the biological/genetic alterations occur for normal cell to tumor cell
• Integrate knowledge in tumour biology in different types of malignancies in relation to environmental factors, gender, age, hormonal influence, and molecular alterations

Competence and skills

• Design an experiment in order to analyse how the alterations in cell signalling may interfere with the cellular response to damage

Judgement and approach

• Analyze and assess experimental results in tumour biology
• Evaluate and discuss new hypotheses in the field of cancer research

Course content

• Organ specific cancer: different spectra of malignancies in relation to race, gender, age, and molecular biology
• Mechanisms of tumour development, invasion and metastasis
• Concepts in cancer genetics including oncogene, tumour suppressor gene, mismatched repaired genes, and apoptosis related genes
• Control of the cell cycle and cancer
• Angiogenesis and cancer
• Hormones and cancer
• Stem cells and cancer
• Tumour immunology
• The principle of tumour diagnosis and treatment

Teaching and working methods

General: Linköping University Master’s Programme in Experimental and Medical Biosciences applies student-centered learning among which Problem Based Learning (PBL) is one pedagogical philosophy and method. To prepare the students for future employment, practical and experimental work in laboratory settings are important parts of the programme in courses as well as in individual projects.
Specific: In this course lectures, tutorial groups, seminars, and laboratory work are used.

Examination

Compulsory items

Active participation in the compulsory parts is necessary to pass the course, and assessment of them is carried out continuously. Compulsory parts in this course are: tutorial groups, laboratory work, and seminars.

Examination

Individual written examination.
Individual written report of laboratory work.

 

Grades

The grades for the course are either fail (F), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). A weighting of the grades on the individual written exam and a written laboratory report form the basis for the final grade of the course.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

Application for examination

Instructions on how to apply for examinations are given prior to the beginning of each course.

Re-examination

The date for re-examination should normally be announced by the date of the regular examination at latest; in which case the scope must be the same as at the regular examination.

Examination for students with disabilities

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives. 

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course. 

Nomination of another examiner

A student who has taken two examinations in a course or a part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner, unless there are special reasons to the contrary.  

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of the course is to be based on the wordings in the course syllabus. A course evaluation is compulsory for each course and should include how the course is in agreement with the course syllabus. The course coordinator will analyse the course evaluation and propose appropriate development of the course. The analysis and proposal will be returned to the students, the Director of Studies, and as needed to the Education Board, if related to general development and improvement.

The course is carried out in such a way that knowledge of gender, gender identity/expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief system, disability, sexual orientation and age is addressed, highlighted and communicated as part of the programme.

If the course is cancelled or undergoes major changes, examination is normally offered under this course syllabus, at a total of three occasions, within/in connection to the two following semesters, of which one in close proximity to the first examination.

Department