2025/26 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MEDM5221M Cancer Biology and Molecular Oncology

15 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Mihaela Lorger
Email: m.lorger@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Pre-requisite qualifications

As per programme requirements

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module will provide insights into the molecular and cell biology of cancers and into how this knowledge can be harnessed to allow therapeutic opportunities. Areas of focus will be the function of the key cancer-related pathways and cellular processes, the molecular mechanisms of pathway deregulation, and targeting of these pathways in therapy. Teaching will be delivered by current experts in each area and will be informed by the state-of-the-art research of the individual tutors.

Objectives

On completion of this module the students will have gained advanced understanding of:

- The roles of the main cancer-related molecular pathways;
- How these pathways are deregulated in cancer and how points of deregulation can be targeted therapeutically;
- The process of cancer therapeutics discovery and development;
- The use of molecular markers to provide individualised cancer therapies and improve cancer outcomes.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

LO1: Describe concepts and key elements of the basic biology relevant to cancer.
LO2: Describe main molecular pathways and cellular processes relevant to cancer.
LO3: Appraise the varied ways in which key cancer pathways are deregulated
LO4: Effectively use knowledge and understanding of principles in cancer biology to extract, summarize and effectively communicate information related to areas of cancer biology that are new to them.

Skills Learning Outcomes

SLO1 Demonstrate proficiency using various search engines to gather relevant data and information related to biomedical research, as well as using software to analyse data and produce diagrams illustrating concepts for inclusion in written reports and oral presentations. (working, academic, digital skills)
SLO2 Demonstrate critical evaluation of literature relevant to biomedical research and the ability appraise key concepts related to experimental approaches in biomedical research. (academic skills)
SLO4 Demonstrate efficient time management in the preparation for tutorials, reading and critique of primary research papers, analysis of data, synthesising written work, generating digital presentations, and adhering to deadlines to submit the assessments.  (working, academic skills)
SLO5 Demonstrate the ability to present information in a clear, concise, and structured manner, both in a verbal and written form, and the ability to use visual aids appropriately to support written work and oral presentations.  (working, enterprise and academic skills)
SLO6 Demonstrate the ability to use the correct scientific language appropriate to their level of studies and good academic practice, including referencing and using their own language instead of plagiarizing. (academic skills)

Syllabus

This module will provide insights into the molecular biology of cancers and into how this knowledge can be harnessed to allow therapeutic opportunities. Particular areas of focus will be the function of the key cancer-related pathways and biological processes, the molecular mechanisms of pathway deregulation, and targeting of these pathways in therapy. Teaching will be delivered by current experts in each area and will be informed by the state-of-the-art research of the individual tutors.

The module contains 15 lectures. Seven of the lectures are structured around the hallmarks of cancer, six lectures are case studies focusing on a particular cancer type, therapy, or technology, and two lectures focus on molecular medicine. The module also contains 6 tutorials, where cancer relevant topics will be discussed in person.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	15	1.00	15.00
Practical	1	6.00	6.00
Seminar	6	1.50	9.00
Private study hours			120.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be encouraged to question and participate during lectures, allowing teaching staff to give feedback, and to informally monitor student levels and progress. Contribution to tutorials will be monitored. Students will be given formative feedback in relation to their literature review at an early phase of the writing, by being required to submit up to 5 most important publications that they plan to cite in their literature review to the module lead and receive feedback whether they are on track with the topic.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Coursework	12 minute presentation on a cancer-relevant gene/protein	40.00
Coursework	Written literature review on a cancer-relevant topic (3000 words)	60.00
Coursework	Formative submission of 5 publications most relevant to the literature review	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

There is no compensation between assessments for this module, students must pass each individual assessment in order to pass the module. The two types of assessment are complimentary. Presentations with QA session are essential to assess critical thinking and reasoning relevant to cancer biology in a real-world type of scenario (e.g. open discussion) that cannot be assessed with literature reviews. The two assessments also address a different set of organizational/time management skills, as well as a different set of presentation skills (text-focused versus visually focused), and these are all highly relevant work-ready skills. Thus, the two assessments are also important training opportunities in work-ready skills.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 23/01/2025

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