Skip to main content

Module

BMD2024 : The Principles of Cancer (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2025/26
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Lindi Chen
  • Co-Module Leader: Professor Steven Clifford
  • Lecturer: Professor Derek Mann, Professor Ian Hickson, Dr Luke Gaughan, Professor Laura Greaves, Professor James Allan, Professor Linda Sharp, Dr Jack Leslie, Dr Laura Woods, Professor Craig Robson
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This module aims to:

- Provide an introduction to cancer and cancer research

- Explain the fundamental hallmarks of cancer.

- Illustrate how the hallmarks link to key areas of applied cancer research such as early detection, diagnosis, treatment and drug discovery.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will cover:

An introduction to cancer and cancer research

An introduction to the molecular and cellular basis of cancer including tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes

The fundamental principles and hallmarks of cancer such as angiogenesis, metastasis and sustained proliferation

Core areas of applied cancer research such as stem cells, molecular pathology, genomics and informatics, preclinical models, cancer therapy and drug discovery

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture201:0020:00Core module knowledge lectures
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching31:003:00Seminars
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops12:002:00Data interpretation to support PIE assessment
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1175:00175:00Includes writing up lecture notes, reading, revision, and preparation and completion of assessment
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will define the scope of the course and communicate basic knowledge as a basis for further study.



Small group teaching will encourage consolidation of taught material through discussion, Q&As and provide support for students in their preparation for the assessment format.



Independent study will allow students to extend their knowledge and prepare for assessments through consolidation of module content, reading of books, journal articles and other recommended references.



Workshops will provide skills training and potentially assessment guidance. Workshops foster active learning, collaboration, and critical thinking. It bridges theory and practice by engaging students in problem-solving, discussions, and hands-on activities, enhancing understanding and retention while developing teamwork and communication skills.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination1202A60Inspera invigilated: 1) quiz format exam (60 mins) (20%) (max 60 questions) and 2) data interpretation, short answer questions (max 10 questions) (60 mins) (40% of module mark)
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Prob solv exercises2M40Paper Interpretation Exercise (PIE). Maximum 10 questions and 1500 words.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The end-of-module examination assesses knowledge and understanding of course material.



Paper interpretation exercise (PIE): this will assess the student’s ability to understand a research paper, evaluate it critically and appreciate the context of this work in the wider field.

Reading Lists

Timetable