Course Description

This course employs the exploration of the molecular, genetic, biochemical, and cellular basis of human oncogenesis, tumor metastasis, cancer detection, and therapeutic advances as a comprehensive background for understanding and engaging the field of biomedicine. It provides a solid foundation in the basic biomedical principles that serve as the framework for advancing medical science including genetics, cellular anatomy, metabolism, and cell signaling.

Rationale

Introduction To Biomedical Sciences is designed for students who either do not have prior exposure to these courses: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, and Anatomy/Physiology or need to remediate any course in the MS Biomedical Sciences program. It aims to give the students an in-depth introduction to the basic medical sciences that form the foundations for understanding the normal functions of the human body and disease states as well as therapeutic approaches to these diseases. Cancer remains a biomedical puzzle and its complexity and span provide an encompassing viewpoint to studying biomedical sciences. This approach will give the students a huge appreciation of the beautiful design of the human body by God the Almighty Creator of all things!

Measurable Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe the roles of genes in oncogenesis.
2. Discuss the biochemical alterations that promote tumorigenesis.
3. Explain the role of inflammation and infectious agents in cancer.
4. Explain the alterations to cell signaling that promotes cancer.
5. Explain the molecular factors that promote the metastasis of cancer cells.
6. Describe the clinical significance of biomarkers in cancer detection and therapy.
7. Explain the molecular basis of specific cancer types and cancer therapy.
8. Demonstrate professional communication of scientific information.
9. Explain the molecular basis of cancer in scientific writing and oral presentation.

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Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided promptly for each Discussion. Each thread must be at least 500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 250 words.

Scientific Paper Assignments (5)

The student will give detailed and well-constructed responses to the assigned scientific writing topics for each week according to the specific outlines provided. The length of each writing will be specified for each week.

Video Presentation Assignment

As the last project for this course, the student will produce a 10-minute video presentation on the Molecular Basis of Cancer.

Quizzes (8)

Each quiz will cover the Reading & Study material for the assigned modules/weeks. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes.