Experimental Oncology

Course manual 2016/2017

Course content

The main themes of basic cancer research will be dealt with in this course, including implications of groundbreaking new research for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Teachers are fundamental researchers and clinicians involved in such state-of-the-art work. Topics include e.g. molecular diagnostics, the hallmarks of cancer, mechanisms of drug resistance, immunotherapy of cancer. Topics will be dealt with in lectures and tutorials, with assignments for students and discussion of recent literature.

Recommended  prior knowledge
Solid, advanced knowledge in the areas of cell biology and genetics (eg. courses Celbiologie (6 EC), Moleculaire Biologie/Biochemie (T) (6 EC), Anatomie en Ontwikkelingsbiologie (12 EC), Medische Biochemie en Pathofysiologie (12 EC)).

Study materials

Literature

• The biology of cancer by R.A. Weinberg (2nd edition). Sufficient copies are available for lending at the library of the NKI-AVL.

• Research papers (electronically provided on shared site)

Syllabus

• Hand-outs (electronically provided on shared site)

Objectives

Aim of the course Experimental Oncology is to provide insight into the molecular basis of normal and tumor cell behaviour and to provide insight into the development of new methods for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Intended learning outcome for the presentation of a  research paper
After the course, the student is able to:

• critically interpret and evaluate scientific literature in the field of experimental oncology in terms of hypothesis formation, experimental design, data representation, data interpretation, summary and discussion of outcomes.
• transparently communicate orally and in writing the content and critical interpretation of assigned scientific literature to knowledgable peers.
• formulate additional and alternative experimental strategies to address similar hypotheses.

Intended learning outcome for the research proposal:
After the course, the student is able to:

• critically interpret and evaluate scientific information.
• formulate an original, relevant and testable experimental hypothesis in the field of experimental oncology.
• design a practically feasible experimental plan to test the formulated hypothesis.
• predict and discuss potential outcomes of the proposed research plan.

Intended learning outcome exams thematic blocks:
After the course, the student is able to:

• explain the molecular and cellular basis of cancer development, diagnostics and treatment.
• apply acquired knowledge to explain, discuss and evaluate the relevance and feasibility of novel diagnostic and treatment modalities in oncology.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Fieldwork/excursion
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Presentation/symposium

Learning activities

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

Additional requirements for this course:

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance at lectures and seminars is required to successfully complete the course.

The presentation and research proposal are compulsory.

Assessment

Inspection of assessed work

The date, time and location of the inspection moment are in the DataNose timetable.

Assignments

Exam thematic blocks

• Four individual exams will be graded.

Presentation

• A scientific presentation about an assigned research paper (groups of 2 students). See the grading form on Blackboard for assessment criteria. This assignment will be graded.

Research proposal

• Writing a scientific research proposal (individual assignment). See the grading form on Blackoard for assessment criteria. This assignment will be graded.

Onderstaande opdrachten komen aan bod in deze cursus:

•    Naam opdracht 1 : beschrijving 2
•    Naam opdracht 2 : beschrijving 1
•    ....

Fraud and plagiarism

Dit vak hanteert de algemene ‘Fraude- en plagiaatregeling’ van de UvA. Onder plagiaat of fraude wordt verstaan het overschrijven van het werk van een medestudent dan wel het kopiëren van wetenschappelijke bronnen (uit bijvoorbeeld boeken en tijdschriften en van het Internet) zonder daarbij de bron te vermelden. Uiteraard is plagiaat verboden. Hier wordt nauwkeurig op gecontroleerd en streng tegen opgetreden. Bij verdenking van plagiaat wordt de examencommissie van de opleiding ingeschakeld. Wanneer de examencommissie overtuigd is dat er plagiaat gepleegd is dan kan dit maximaal leiden tot een uitsluiting van al het onderwijs van de opleiding voor een heel kalenderjaar. Zie voor meer informatie over het fraude- en plagiaatreglement van de Universiteit van Amsterdam.www.uva.nl/plagiaat

Course structure

Timetable

Additional information

Course will be held at the NKI-AVL, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam
For information, contact mw. R.M. de Jong, e-mail: rm.d.jong@nki.nl

Homepage NKI-AVL: http://www.nki.nl

Contact information

Coordinator

• prof. dr. J. Borst