Biology 392 The Cell Cycle and Cancer

Lecture and Discussion: Thursdays - 1:00 p.m. to about 4:00 p.m. - Olin 234

This class will be taught next in Spring, 2010

1) To gain a detailed understanding of how cellular propagation is stimulated and controlled.
2) To gain an understanding of how defects in how cells respond to their environment or how cells ignore propagation controls leads to cancer.
3) To gain an appreciation for the complexities of diagnosing, treating, and living with cancer.

The text for the course is: Murray, Andrew, and Hunt, Tim. 1993. The Cell Cycle: An Introduction. Oxford University Press, NY. 251 pp.

You should read virtually all of this book by the end of the course, but you may do so at your own pace. Specific assigned readings will come from a variety of primary papers and review articles (See "Course Schedule" below). You will also be finding papers and readings on your own. A copy of a basic cell biology book will also be useful to you for review, and for additional information about some of the class topics.

Discussions (+) - 21%
Exam 1 - 15%
Exam 2 - 20%
In Class Essay - 7%
Written Essay - 12% see Essay on the Human Impact of Cancer
Symposium - 25% see Symposium on Cancer