This module will give an overview of how viruses intersect with hallmarks of cancer to drive tumorigenesis. The students will be able to understand the differences between direct carcinogens and indirect carcinogens. Attention will be focused on (i) the molecular mechanisms of the direct viral carcinogens and (ii) the factors essential to cooperate with viruses that function as indirect carcinogens, including understanding how viruses mimic somatic cellular mutations to drive carcinogenesis. Additionally, the module will focus on viral tumour immunology and how viruses manipulate the immune response. An overview of therapeutic approaches to target the virus-associated cancers will be given. The module contains a variety of integrated learning environments, including lectures and tutorials. Laboratory practicals will provide a better understanding of techniques that are used in tumour virology research and will generate data that they will learn to analyse, interpret and write-up in the format of a paper.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Demonstrate a detailed understanding of how viruses contribute to the hallmarks of cancer and their molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for the therapeutic approaches to treating virus-associated cancers
Demonstrate a synthesis of the different concepts to evaluate if a virus is a direct or an indirect carcinogen
Demonstrate an ability to critically appraise published articles and present their arguments clearly and logically during journal clubs
Analyse, interpret and evaluate laboratory data; demonstrate synthesis of understanding how the results relate to virus-associated tumorigenesis and present the results in the form of a paper.
Assessment
38643-01 : Overall Module Mark : Mixed (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment:
The module is assessed by a combination of a written examination and course work:
Examination;
Students must answer 2 from 4 DIQ/Essay in a 2 hour period. 50% (Semester 1)
Course Work;
Laboratory practicals using research techniques; analysis and interpretation of data generated; ewrite-up in the format of a short paper. 50% (Semester 1)
It is a requirement that students achieve a mark of at least 45% in their summative exam or coursework.
Overall Pass mark for the module is 50%.
Reassessment:
Failure to submit: Submission of coursework is compulsory for the programme. Students are advised that failure to submit without justifiable reason could result in failure of the module. Students will be required to submit outstanding work to meet the module outcomes.
Student will be required to repeat any failed component of the module
In the event of failure in a module students will have a further opportunity to retrieve lost credit by resubmission or resit of ICA and/or exam with the mark capped at the pass mark at the next available opportunity.