Accessibility statement

Cancer cell & molecular biology - BIO00068H

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  • Department: Biology
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Bob White
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This module will consider cellular and molecular abnormalities of cancer, along with therapeutic advances.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24 to Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This module will review current knowledge, underpinning principles and recurrent themes in the molecular and cellular biology of cancer. Key features of cancer biology, such as deregulated cell cycle progression, invasion and metastasis, will be considered in molecular terms. A major area of focus will be the mechanisms of action of key oncogenes (e.g. Myc) and tumour suppressors (e.g. p53). The module will also consider therapeutic advances, cancer stem cells and the challenges of therapy resistance and relapse. All stages will be illustrated with examples that are of particular interest and importance. Experiments from cancer research papers will be examined in detail to provide training in comprehension, criticism, data interpretation and experimental design.

Module learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:

Describe and explain molecular and cellular characteristics of cancer.

Summarize and evaluate therapeutic approaches in current use and development.

Design experiments and interpret novel data investigating cancer.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Cancer cell & molecular biology Online Exam		 6 hours 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Cancer cell & molecular biology Online Exam		 6 hours 100

Module feedback

Marks for all summative assessments will be made available to you and your supervisor via e:vision. Feedback will be either individual or cohort-level, depending on the assessment format. You should take the opportunity to discuss your marks and feedback with your supervisor.

For exam-style summative assessment, model answers will be provided for all questions along with cohort-level feedback indicating how students answered questions in general. Marks achieved per question will be added to your script.

For coursework assessments (eg. reports or essays) you will receive individual feedback on your work. This will usually be in the form of a feedback sheet that will include suggestions for further improvement.

During the teaching of the module you will receive formative feedback that may be at a whole class or individual level. Such feedback may include: model answers and discussion of workshop questions, summaries of performance in practicals, VLE-based quizzes, individual spoken comments during workshops, individual written comments on formative work.

Indicative reading

These are available through the VLE module site.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.