COURSE ITEMS
TITLE & CREDIT: Biol-492, Section 1, Seminar: Cancer Biology (1 semester credit).

OBJECTIVES:         We will investigate, in a relaxed but intensive academic environment, the integrated discipline of  cancer/tumor biology. We will survey the entire scope of contemporary tumor
                                    biology, but  in a very short time   period. Fortunately, we have a good resource text to help guide us.

FORMAT:                 Sessions will be conducted as class discussions, rather than formal lectures. Reading assignments will be made   and material will be discussed in class. I will give you an outline to
                                    follow to guide you in your reading. You are expected to do the assigned reading and be prepared for daily discussions. Attendance and participation are essential components of  this
                                    course. Therefore, attendance in class is mandatory.

CLASS MEETINGS:

INSTRUCTOR ITEMS
INSTRUCTOR: Michael Dennis

OFFICE HOURS: 11:30-Noon. Other hours by appointment.

CONSULTATIONS: You are encouraged to visit with the instructor to keep track of your   progress in class.

EVALUATION ITEMS
PROBLEMS: There will be a daily assignment that is to be done prior to class. These are designed to ensure that you keep   up with the reading on a daily basis. These assignments are, in part, the basis for your grade. For each chapter
  of your text that you read you will prepare the following:
    -Three items/concepts that you learned; and,
    -Two concepts that you don't understand or have questions about.
  These are to be handed in. They can be hand-written, but they must be conscientiously thought out and carefully      prepared.

EXAMS: There will be no examinations.

GRADES: Grades will be based on my evaluation of your daily assignment; and, preparation for, and participation in   daily discussions.

STANDARDS: My interpretation of the university grading scale is as follows:
  A = Excellent Thorough understanding of all major concepts; and, concepts supported by extensive details.
  B = Good Thorough understanding of most major concepts; and, concepts minimally supported by details
  C = Average General understanding of most major concepts; but, deficiency of, or errors in, many details.
  D = Minimally Passing Weak grasp of even major concepts; or, extensive errors in concepts and details
  F = Failure Weak grasp of concepts and many errors in details

OTHER ITEMS
TEXT: Required: What You Need to Know About Cancer. W. H Freeman, 1997.

RECOMMENDATIONS: I recommend you proceed as follows:
  -Prepare for class sessions a day (or more) in advance of class.
  -Prepare by reading the assigned material using the guidelines provided.
  -Prepare a notebook of your work (i.e. class notes).

  -Come to class ready to listen...not to take notes.
  -Come to class ready to think...not to be lectured to.
  -Come to class with answers...not just questions.

RESPONSIBILITY: In summary, I expect you to become an active participant in the learning process. You are   responsible for your progress in this class, and I am responsible for providing perspective, guidance and helping you   achieve the goals you set for yourself. Lecture grades will be based on attentive attendance, demonstrated   comprehension of reading assignments, and contributions to class discussions. Memorization of details is not   desirable. In this course, competency and academic growth are more important than the ability to do well on an exam.   Grading is therefore based on demonstration of competency. To do well you must be disciplined and willing to be   thoughtful and expressive. Your continued enrollment in the course constitutes your understanding and acceptance that   grades will be determined at the discretion of the instructor.

                  READING GUIDELINES

Day Date   Sect Chap    Notes

M  10 Jan  I  1,2     These are very important introductory chapters. It is essential to read them carefully, and do                    your best to understand the concepts. Work on the details, but do not try to memorize them,                    and don't get discouraged if some of the details get tedious. Figures 1.2 and 1.3 are                    conceptually very important.
        IV Fact Sheets  Read the Fact Sheets (pgs 89-97) for perspective and reference. Sheets Don't memorize any                    details!

T   11    II   3, 4, 5  These chapters provide an excellent conceptual basis on causation and prevention of cancer. It                    is important to understand the contributions of statistics to this area of tumor biology. Read:                    Current Controversy.

W  12    III   6, 7    These chapters provide details (in only two areas) that show the technical level of our                    understanding of cancer. Read: Current Controversy. It is interesting to note that our                    technical abilities have far outpaced our abilities to solve ethical dilemmas.
        IV    8      This is a nice introduction to conventional therapy.

Th  13   IV            Read: Current Controversy.
        V    9,10,11  There are lots of details here, but read these important chapters for the important                     underlying concepts.

F   14   VI   12,13,14  We will wrap up class with a discussion on psychological and social aspects of cancer. Read:                     Current Controversy.

3 January 2000

Dear Seminar Participant:

Intercession is approaching fast. You have signed up for a 1 semester credit seminar titled: Cancer Biology. The course will run from Monday, 10 January 00 through Friday, 14 January 00. I am sending a course syllabus so that you can begin to prepare for this course. You must be prepared for each class before class begins that day! Indeed, there is a daily assignment (see syllabus) and the first assignment will be collected on Monday, the first day of class.

The first two chapters of the book are the most difficult, but they are the logical place to start. Do not be intimidated, but we must begin on day one if we are to accomplish our objective of surveying the entire scope of contemporary tumor biology in 5 days. The book for the course is in the MSU-B bookstore. Get a copy. It's cheap.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at 657.2016 if you have any questions. My voice mail will take messages if I am not in and you need me to return a call.

See you next Monday!

Michael Dennis