KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF SCIENCE

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KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF SCIENCE

GIRLS’S SECTION

Course Syllabus

COURSE DETAILS SEMESTER 2^nd Semester 2017

DEPARTMENT BIOCHEMISTRY

COURSE CODE BIOC 418

COURSE TITLE BIOCHEMISTRY OF CANCER CELLS NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS 2 HOURS

CLASS TIME (11-11:50) SUNDAY & TUESDAY

SECTION FAR

CLASSROOM 2164

COURSE INSTRUCTOR DETAILS INSTRUCTOR NAME Dr. AYAT AL-GHAFARI

OFFICE NUMBER 2-52

OFFICE HOURS SUNDAY and TUESDAY (12-1) MONDAY and WEDNESDAY (9-12) WEBSITE http://abalghafari.kau.edu.sa

E-MAIL [email protected]

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I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

The goal of "Biochemistry of Cancer Cells" course is to introduce upper-level undergraduate students at the Biochemistry Department to the biology of cancer. The instructor will address the fundamentals of cancer biology such as cancer hallmarks, etiology and pathogenesis of cancer, major physiological changes that occur in the cells during cancer development, basic and traditional methods used to diagnose and treat cancer, clinical trials, and how cancer can be prevented. This course is intended to cover important concept and themes in cancer biology.

II. COURSE PREREQUISITES

Important prerequisites classes for this course are BIOC 315 and BIOC 614.

However, because many biochemical and genetic principles will be used in this course, a solid background in cell biology, genetics, immunology and clinical biochemistry will be necessary.

III. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Content outcomes--- by the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the six hallmarks of cancer

2. Outline the different types of gene mutations and how these mutations can contribute to cancer formation

3. Describe what oncogene is and why it is important in cancer development 4. Describe the functions of tumor suppressor genes

5. Explainthecellcycle,itsregulation,andhowcellcycledysfunctioncanlead tocancer

6. List and describe the types of angiogenesis

7. Explain how external or internal stimuli can lead to apoptosis 8. Recognize how cancer cells escape cell death

9. List and outline the steps that lead to cancer metastasis and invasion 10. Summarize different strategies to diagnose and treat cancer

11. Explain the role of several factors in cancer development and cancer prevention

Skill Outcomes--- by the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain the provisional nature of knowledge in the field, estimate problems and predict solutions

2. Analyze the major components of scientific journal articles

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3. Interpret data published in scientific journal articles

4. Evaluate and criticize, in written and oral form, published cancer biology articles

5. Illustrate data and information for group presentation

6. Analyze and judge scientific experimental results through oral presentations 7. Design different models that can be used to describe several physiological

processes in cancer IV. COURSE TOPICS

Chapter 1: Introduction to cancer biology

 General introduction

 Etiology of human cancer

 Pathogenesis of cancer

 Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes

 Growth factors

Chapter 2: Major physiological changes in cancer

 Cell cycle

 Formation of blood vessels (Angiogenesis)

 Cell death (apoptosis and necrosis)

 Cell migration (metastasis and invasion) Chapter 3: Diagnosis of human cancer

 Overview

 Cancer diagnostic methods

 Histopathologic features of human cancer- direct criteria of malignancy

 Histopathologic features of human cancer- indirect criteria of malignancy Chapter 4: Treatments and prevention of human cancer

 Overview of several treatment regimens of human cancer

 Cancer treatment options

 Cancer clinical trials

 Cancer prevention strategies

V. TEACHING LEARNING STRATEGIES

To do well, students should attend class and take very detailed notes. You should rely on your lecture notes rather than the text as your primary study resource. You will be responsible for everything covered in lecture, but not responsible for material that is covered in the text but not in lecture. It is not possible to cover all the topics in the text. To get most out of the lectures, it is recommended you read the text before lecture, and then reread the text in more detail after the lecture to make sure you understand all concepts. The lectures move quite rapidly, so reading the text before

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lecture will improve your comprehension. Always go over your lecture notes within a day of the lecture. Regarding the activity, two types of activities will be available and each student should choose only one type and the evaluating system will be based on the activity (see the activity rubric guidelines and evaluation system for more details).

VI. POLICIES

Attendance & Tardiness:

 Any student-missing class/classes will be counted absent and her absence will fall within the 25% absence range.

 It is the student’s responsibility to make sure she is not missing any exam, quizzes or any other course class assignments. All students are responsible for work missed during their absence. The course instructor is NOT obliged to repeat her lecture or coursework missed by the student due to her absence.

Students are expected to meet the following

 Be punctual in coming to class. You will be marked absent if you enter the class after 10 minutes of starting time.

 Absenteeism for more than 25% of allocated course lectures, will entitle the instructor to stop you from attending the final exam. You will receive an F grade.

 Turn off mobile telephones during classes. If a mobile rings during class, it will be taken from the student and returned only at the end of the semester.

 Do not leave the classroom except in case of emergency and when the instructor gives you the permission to do so.

 There might be a quiz after each chapter (topic) is finished (optional). These quizzes will not be repeated.

 Any late/missed assignments will not be accepted after the due date, automatically resulting in a zero.

 Food and drink are not allowed in the class.

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VII. COURSE EVALUATION/GRADING

VIII.GRADING SCALE

95-100 =A+

90-94 = A 85-89 = B+

80-84 = B 75-79 = C+

70-74 = C 65-69 = D+

60-64 = D

60 = F

IX. TEXTS & MATERIALS

1. Pecorino, L. (2012) Molecular biology of cancer: mechanisms, targets, and therapeutic (third edition). Oxford university press, UK.

2. Weinberg, R. (2014) The biology of cancer (second edition). Garland Science, New York, USA.

Indicator Points

Periodical exam 20

Midterm exam 20

Activities 20

Final exam 40

Total 100

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X. COURSE PLAN

Weeks Date Subject/Topic References Exams

1

8 & 10/05/1438  Syllabus

 What is cancer?

 Hallmarks of cancer

 Classification of cancer

Chapter 1

2 15 & 17/05/1438 Etiology of human cancer

(Exogenous factors) Chapter 1 3 22 & 24/05/1438 Etiology of human cancer

(Exogenous factors) Chapter 1 4

29/5 & 1/6/1438 Etiology of human cancer

(Endogenous factors) Chapter 1 5 6 & 8/6/1438

Pathogenesis of human cancer Chapters 1 6

13 & 15/6/1438

Major Physiological Changes in

human cancer Chapter 2

Periodical exam Tuesday 15/06/1438

Room: 2164 7 20 & 22/6/1438 Major Physiological Changes in

8 27 & 29/6/1438 Major Physiological Changes in

MIDTERM BREAK 02-11/7/1438

9 12 & 14/7/1438 Diagnosis of Human cancer Chapters 3 10 19 & 21/7/1438 Diagnosis of Human cancer Chapters 3 11 26 & 28/7/1438 Diagnosis of Human cancer Chapter 3

Midterm Exam Tuesday 28/07/1438

Room: 2164 12 4 & 6/8/1438 Treatment and prevention of

13 11 & 13/8/1438 Treatment and prevention of

14 18 & 20/8/1438 Treatment and prevention of

Deadline for all activities Submission Sunday 18/08/1438

15 25 & 27/8/1438 Revision