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The Core Courses
Approaches to Understanding CancerThis interactive lecture course will teach students specific methodologies used to solve problems in cancer research. By using specific examples of basic and clinical avenues of research students will be taught the use of various approaches to address problems in cancer biology, i.e., reasoning and logic. The overall goal is to expose students to how different approaches are used and integrated to solve specific research questions and the critically interpret experimental design and data. The use and advantages of various approaches, e.g., biochemical, molecular, genetic, immunological, epidemiology, and the use of model systems e.g., cell and animal models will be discussed. Methods used in clinical trials will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on research strategy and design, limitations and strengths of various techniques. Clinical OncologyDuring the first year students will attend a series of lectures by CAB physician mentors that will discuss clinical aspects of cancer treatment for specific patients with an emphasis of continuity of care of newly diagnosed patients between disciplines. Students will attend existing Sylvester Cancer Center tumor boards on a rotating monthly basis to understand how treatment of cancers varies depending on histology. After year one, students will pick their individual mentor with whom they will spend half day per month in a clinical setting. This experience will include inpatient, outpatient, and surgical venues. Colloquia in Translational Cancer ResearchStudents will attend seminar series at which faculty members present on their current ongoing translational research topics and methods of investigation. Students will learn the rationale and methodologies that researchers are using to approach a problem in translational cancer research. Lecturers will be selected from among faculty members, both clinical researchers and basic science investigators who are actively engaged in translational cancer research. Topics will present a spectrum of research efforts from projects ongoing in each of the cancer center’s research programs: Biobehavioral Oncology and Cancer Control; Virology Oncology; Tumor Immunology; Molecular Oncology; and Experimental Therapeutics. Student SeminarThis course offers instruction about the fundamental elements of scientific speaking. The ability to communicate effectively is essential for scientists. Using a series of sample-based lectures and discussion groups students will be exposed to various oral presentations. In addition, during the first year, all students will be asked to present a 20 minute seminar following each of their rotation projects. Once students enter a research laboratory, students will be required to present their research each year as a one hour seminar. Scientific Reasoning and Logic in Cancer Biology: Bench to BedsideOne aspect of the Sheila and David Fuente PhD Program in Cancer Biology is to train students in the application of basic research to clinical problems i.e., translational research. The goal of this course is to expose students to the scientific reasoning and logic behind solving problems in clinical cancer research. This course is being developed with the overall philosophy of teaching students how knowledge obtained from basic research laboratories is applied to clinical problems including prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and theraputic treatment of cancer. This course will instill in students the ability to integrate information and develop the thought processes necessary to critically evaluate information in the literature and experimental approaches, conceptualize problems in the field and identify areas for scientific exploration. Specific examples of translational research, i.e., laboratory to clinic will be emphasized. This course has 12 weekly segments, each of which has a different theme, plus student presentations at the end. Twice weekly students attend lectures to the week’s topic that inlcude concepts and fundamental information as well as experimental methods. Each weekly module will include specific examples that highlight the application of basic research to the clinic. For instance, the development of herceptin to treat breast cancer was first based on knowledge of cell surface receptors and signaling events and the subsequent development of blocking antibodies used in the clinic today. Weekly modules will be team taught by both basic research scientisists and clinicians and papers will be chosen to be discussed at the end of each week. The students will participate in round-table discussions each week with faculty based on assigned readings and theoretical problems in the field. In addition to core instructors, faculty from science and clinical departments with specialization of a given topic will participate. Tumor BoardsIn the spring of their first year, students will attend Tumor Boards at UM/Sylvester. This treatment planning approach in which a number of oncologists who are experts in different specialties review and discuss the medical condition and treatment options of a patient. It will allow the students to interact with physicians and learn how pathologists, surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists review specific cases and create customized treatment plans. Examples of cases include patients with Solid tumors (i.e., Breast, Colon, Liver, Prostate), Hematologic tumors (i.e., Leukemia, Lymphoma), and Sarcomas (i.e., osteosarcoma, soft tissue). Tumor BiologyThis course is intended to provide a broad based overview of modern molecular and cellular aspects of cancer biology, basic and traditional research. The course highlights multiple areas including cell cycle, apoptosis, epidemiology, angiogenesis, and meets two times weekly in the fall semester. Several training grant mentors are lecturers with the course. The course meets twice weekly (Tuesday and Thursday 4-5:15pm) over a semester. Seminar Courses I & IIFirst year students must attend the Program seminars at UM / Sylvester and will be graded pass/fail based on their attendance. |
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