Short course
Cancer Biology: An Introduction
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
20/05/2027 - 17/06/202716:30 - 18:30
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£190.00
Our genes define who we are as individuals through their molecular controlling of biological process in our bodies. Although built from only four molecular units known as Nucleotides, genes they have limitless ability to represent diverse types and structures of single genetic units. As much as they are fully responsible for marinating the correct healthy status of our cells and organs, genes may also be involved in disease developments.
Cancer is the most well-studied disease model where we have accumulated a huge base of knowledge as how the tumour is formed at the molecular models. Understanding genes in health and disease conditions allows us to explore novel therapeutic treatments.
In this short course, we will learn basics about gene structures and functions. We will also examine their involvement in cancer development, as a disease model. We also explore how advances in gene technologies help identifying novel therapeutic approaches and treatments.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Contact the team
Phone: +44 (0)1865 280900
Course starts Thursday 20 May 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Thursdays, 16.30-18.30pm
Week 1: Course introduction & The concept of healthy human cells
Introduction to healthy human cells and their functions
Week 2: Human genes, structures and functions
Introduction to human genes and their functions
Week 3: Genes in cancer development
Understanding how genes can be involved in tumour formation
Week 4: Cancer molecular biology
How cancer disease is developed at the molecular level
Week 5: Advances in cancer treatment approaches & Course conclusion
How novel molecular discoveries and technologies improve future cancer treatments & course conclusion
Course aims
To understand basics about tumour formation that lead to cancer development.
Course objectives
- Introduce the normal health cell
- Understand how normal cell transforms into a tumour cell
- Explore how scientist investigate cancer biology for discovering new therapy approaches
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will:
- Learn the basics of human biology
- Understand how cancer disease develops at the biological level
- Appreciate how scientists investigate tumour formation
- Be able to independently read and simplify relevant scientific articles in the field
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.
This course is for beginners and hence no prior knowledge is required. The given reading text books are not required to read prior the course. However, students may wish to just have a brief look at these books or other relevant ones.
This course is a part of the [Genes & Diseases Course Series] offered by Amr Abdelgany. As such, students who might have attended previous courses in this series, may find some repetitive contents.
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.
Assessment methods
This course is non-accredited, so there are no assessments.
Dr Amr Abdelgany
Amr is a Departmental Lecturer 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.
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £190.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, 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
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All short course students (online and in-person) may register to borrow from the Oxford Lifelong Learning Library, for the duration of their course.
Further information about the Oxford Lifelong Learning Library can be found on the library website.
Preparatory reading
- Cancer: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2025. / Nick James
Module code: O26P419BIW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.
