Human Genes and their Roles in Cancer



Overview

Healthy humans enjoy the result of the magnificent work of their own genes. Our genes are highly sophisticated in their types, functions and more importantly in how they interact in a very complex network to coordinate biological processes. One of the most crucial biological processes is how our genes can contribute to disease development such as cancer.

In this course, we will attempt to understand the complexity of our genes and their network. We will first introduce their structure and general functions. We will then look into more details at how some malfunctioning genes may contribute to cancer development. Finally, we will explore how scientists are developing new advanced molecular cancer therapies.

Programme details

Courses starts: 24 Apr 2024

Week 1: Human cells

Week 2: Human genes

Week 3: Genes role in diseases

Week 4: Cancer cells

Week 5: Cancer genes

Week 6: Molecular basis of tumour formation- uncontrolled cell division

Week 7: Molecular basis of tumour formation- impaired immune system

Week 8: Molecular basis of tumour formation- invading healthy cells

Week 9: Cancer molecular therapies

Week 10: Genomics applications in cancer

Digital Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £257.00
Take this course for CATS points £10.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Amr Abdelgany

Amr is an Associate Senior Tutor at the department who has worked on gene therapy since his DPhil at Oxford. He then continued his research at Oxford exploring novel genetic methods for discovery of new therapies. Amr has taught for the department since 2012.

Course aims

To understand human genes’ function and how they can be implicated in cancer development and aid in discovering new treatments.

Course Objectives:

Understanding the basics about:

  • human genes’ structure and function;
  • molecular basis of tumour formation;
  • advanced new molecular therapies.

Teaching methods

The course is delivered using a diverse range of teaching formats, allowing students to be at the centre of directing learning the session contents.

In a two-hour session, there will be a PowerPoint presentation lecture introducing and explaining the main content of the lesson, followed by questions and answers (Q&A) session. The Q&A session is an integrated discussion that include contributions from students as well as the tutor. In all sessions, participants are always part of the class and encouraged to engage in discussions. Some session will be in a workshop format where participant will be working on a task in groups, followed by a general discussion. Topic-specific discussion groups is also considered in some of the sessions.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • to gain a basic knowledge about human genes and their functions in diseases;
  • using the cancer disease model, students will gain basic knowledge of how genes can contribute to disease development;
  • develop skills in how to find out about how genes are involved in any given disease.

Assessment methods

Assessment for this course is based on a written assignment (1500 words). Students will have about two weeks to complete the assignment after the course is completed. Students will get support about how to write the assignment. The assignment question will be given at the beginning of the course after introducing the topic.  

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

  • This course is for beginners and hence no prior knowledge is required.

  • The course is suitable for beginners as well as for those who have some science background.

  • This course is a part of the Theme 1: Genes & Diseases Course Series offered by Amr Abdelgany. As such, students who might have attended previous courses in this series, may find some repetitive content.
  • The given reading text books are not required to read prior to the start of the course. However, students may wish to have a brief look at these books or other relevant ones.

Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Most of the Department's weekly classes have 10 or 20 CATS points assigned to them. 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of ten 2-hour sessions. 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of twenty 2-hour sessions. It is expected that, for every 2 hours of tuition you are given, you will engage in eight hours of private study.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support