Bi0001 The Stories of Science: Cancer

Faculty of Science
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
1/0. 1 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Jan Šmarda, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Jan Šmarda, CSc.
Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. RNDr. Jan Šmarda, CSc.
Supplier department: Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Thu 9:00–9:50 B11/132
Prerequisites
The interest for the topic "cancer" in both biological and social context.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide information on background in which key discoveries in cancer research have been made, to introduce main personalities in the field and their contribution to diagnosis and therapy of oncological diseases. In addition, development of interactions among worlds of medicine, biological research, law, ethics and pharmacy will be described. The aim of the course is to be accessible to broad community of students of various fields coming from various faculties of Masaryk University. Therefore, popular form of teaching will be used.
Learning outcomes
Student passing this course will understand mechanisms of cancer research in broader context; familiarize himself/herself with life stories of selected protagonists of this research to perceive the logic of their work and discoveries. In addition, the student will be guided to comprehend the relationships between the worlds of clinical medicine, biological research, advertising, law, ethics and industry.
Syllabus
  • 1. Cancer in the course of time: from antiquity to present time 2-3. The story of cancer chemotherapy 4-5. The story of cigarettes and cancer 6. The story of tumor and surgery 7-8. The story of viruses and cancer 9-10. The stories of selected discoveries contributing to the field of cancer research 11-12. The story of recombinant DNA, the role in drug production
Literature
    recommended literature
  • MUKHERJEE, Siddhartha. Vládkyně všech nemocí. Příběh rakoviny (The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer). Překlad: Jan Šmarda. 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2015, 520 pp. Poprvé v češtině, sv. 3. ISBN 978-80-210-7761-4. Více informací o knize na stránkách Nakladatelství info
Teaching methods
Lectures and class discussion.
Assessment methods
Evaluation is based on quality of general "round-table" discussion in between the teacher and low number of students. The examinator judges willingness to participate in discussion on "cancer" in the broadest context, the ability of independent thinking, competence in asking questions and searching for answers.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: jednou za týden 1 hodina.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2020/Bi0001