Postgraduate Course: Cancer Stem Cells (BIME11197)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course aims to promote an understanding of cancer stem cells and their role in the initiation and progression of cancer.
The content will include fundamentals underlying cancer stem cell biology, tools and technologies used to study the origin and proliferation of cancer cells, and research into potential therapeutic targets for cancer building on stem cell biology. |
| Course description |
This course will draw upon current concepts around stem cell biology and cancer. It will explore the role of stem cells as drivers of cancer and regeneration.
Topics that will be reviewed during the course include:
- the generation of stem cells during foetal development and their maintenance
- genes and cellular and molecular pathways that initiate and maintain stem cell identity and regulate tumour initiation
- potential therapeutic targets for cancer based on stem cell biology
- experimental tools of molecular and cellular stem cell biology that may accelerate the discovery of new treatments for cancers
Group discussions will supplement and develop the content in response to current advances. The course aims to equip students from various biomedical degree programmes with the tools to understand and interpret their own particular disciplines within this research field.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Students will be required to have regular access to a networked computer, and will be responsible for providing their own computing equipment and consumables. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2023/24, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
| Course Start Date |
08/01/2024 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 15,
Online Activities 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
63 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
This course will be taught entirely by distance learning, using -virtual learning environment Learn.
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
In-course assessment -100%
Written 60% Online 40%
|
| Feedback |
Summative assessment consists of a written element, worth 60% of the total mark, and an online element worth 40%. In all cases, comprehensive written feedback is provided individually with 15 working days of the assessment deadline. Students are expected to reflect on their feedback, to seek additional clarification if appropriate, and to use this to improve on future assignments of a similar nature. Formative assessment consists of discussion around what is expected of each piece of assessed work for the course. This is conducted in an open discussion forum for all students to contribute to and provides an opportunity to clearly understand the key requirements for each assignment before submission. Any student can post questions about assignments and a response will be posted on the discussion board by the a relevant faculty member within 3 working days. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles, theories, and concepts around stem cells and cancer.
- Communicate, with peers from a range of audiences, with clarity regarding the critical evaluation of the scientific literature around the subject matter.
- Apply knowledge, from a range of discipline-specific resources, to formulate research questions and hypotheses, and to propose approaches to interrogate those.
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Reading List
| Resources will be provided as a starting point from which it is expected that students will develop their own reading lists and share this information with others. Much of the focus of this course will be driven through student engagement. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The course will provide opportunities for students to develop their skills in critical thinking and self-reflection, and their ability to communicate effectively with faculty and peers and to engage in high level academic discourse.
The independent study aspect of the course will enhance the student's abilities in self-guided learning, time-management and self-motivation. The course will offer opportunities for developing manuscript evaluation skills, and research, enquiry and problem solving skills for the identification of challenges and potential solutions relating to this subject area.
Students are encouraged to use their personal and intellectual autonomy to evaluate ideas, evidence and experience from an open minded and reasoned perspective. |
| Keywords | cancer,stem cells,regeneration |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Marieke Hoeve
Tel: (0131 6)51 9539
Email: m.hoeve@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Debbie Grahames
Tel: (0131 6)50 3160
Email: debbie.grahames@ed.ac.uk |
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