BIOL 330 - Cancer Biology

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

One in two men and one in three women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime according to the AACR Cancer Statistics report from 2023. Now, more than ever it is imperative to learn what cancer is, what causes it, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated. In this course, we will work to develop a deeper understanding of cancer at the molecular and cellular level. We start by learning about cancer statistics and disparities. Then, we explore the hallmarks of cancer and reinforce concepts from genetics and cell biology by identifying alterations in cellular pathways and genetic mutations that drive cancer development, progression and drug resistance. Each week we learn about a topic in the context of cancer biology and then read and discuss recent, peer-reviewed scientific literature on the latest cancer findings. Throughout the course you develop your ability to read, interpret, discuss and present research papers. By the end of the course, students should be able to describe the diversity, morphology, and physiology of cancer; understand the impact of cancer on human health and disease and describe the cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in cancer. Hayley Affronti.

Prerequisite(s): Two 200-level courses including one of the following: BIOL 218, BIOL 238, BIOL 244, BIOL 248 or BIOL 272, and at least one semester of organic chemistry.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS