BGM3024 : The Molecular Basis of Cancer
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Craig Robson
- Lecturer: Dr Lindi Chen, Professor Steven Clifford, Professor James Allan, Professor Julie Irving
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Through lectures and seminars this module aims to;
1. inform students about the genetic and molecular basis of cancer and its treatment.
2. introduce current technologies used in cancer detection, diagnostics and molecular pathology and allow students to explore how these techniques are being applied to advance our understanding of cancer.
3. facilitate an understanding of the problems associated with cancer treatments.
Outline Of Syllabus
• background to the biochemistry and molecular biology of cancer
• cancer as a multi-process genetic disease
• role of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes
• roles of failures in the DNA repair mechanisms in causing cancer
• factors that lead to metastasis
• experimental genetic models of tumour development
• methods of anticancer treatment and the problems of drug resistance
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | In person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 0:30 | 2:00 | Seminars - in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Introduction to extended essay to support assessment preparation and completion.Q&A for module - in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 82:00 | 82:00 | Writing up lecture notes, revision and general reading. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures effectively provide students with the necessary knowledge to further explore the current literature.
The 1 hour session introducing students to the extended essay will provide them with tips and study skills as preparation for researching and writing the essay.
The seminars focus on major topics covered in the lectures, providing in-depth knowledge of the topics and opportunities for students to discuss topic areas where they require additional information or clarification is required.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 60 | 2 | A | 70 | Invigilated exam. Students select one essay topic from a choice of 2 |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code | Module Title | Semester | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer Biology and Therapy | 2 | Exams to be scheduled at the same time. Shared lectures/topics will allow the same questions to be used by these 2 modules | |
| Biochemistry of Cancer and Chronic Diseases | 2 | Exams to be scheduled at the same time. Shared lectures/topics will allow the same questions to be used by these 2 modules |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 30 | Extended Essay - (max 1500 words) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The written exam primarily assesses students' knowledge and understanding.
The essay will provide students with the opportunity to undertake wider reading of a topic and learn how to structure an essay to address a specific question. The feedback will allow students to improve on their essay writing skills in preparation for the final examination.
FMS Schools offering Semester One modules available as ‘Study Abroad’ will, where required, provide an alternative assessment time for examinations that take place after the Winter vacation. Coursework with submission dates after the Winter vacation will either be submitted at an earlier date or at the same time remotely. The assessment format will not normally vary from the original to ensure learning outcomes are met. Any changes to the original format must meet module learning outcomes and be approved by the school.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BGM3024's Timetable