Department of Biostatistics 
Training Program in Cancer Research
Coursework
Trainees will take the regular coursework required by the Department of Biostatistics. Trainees will be expected to take additional coursework to learn about the science and biology of cancer. These courses can count towards the School of Public Health cognate requirement.
Cognate Requirement
The School of Public Health cognate requirement is that students take 12 units of credit outside of their main area of study (9 cognate credits plus the EPID requirements). Knowledge of basic epidemiology (Epidemiology 601) is required plus two or three other courses. In addition to this SPH requirement, students in this training program would be required to take additional courses to bring their knowledge of molecular biology, cancer biology and cancer genetics to a higher level. A required course for all trainees would be Epidemiology 621, Cancer Epidemiology. After EPID 601 and 621, the other courses required by the trainees of this training program would vary depending on the background biological knowledge of the trainees and their interest.
The course descriptions of possible cancer related courses are given below.
Cancer Related Courses
Epidemiology 515: Introduction to Genetics in Public Health
This course will cover cell structure and function, chromosome structure and behavior, mitosis and meiosis, DNA structure, function, and replication; transcription and translation, Mendelian inheritance and non-Mendelian inheritance; population genetics; recombinant DNA technology; the Human Genome Project; Human Genetic Diseases including incidence, chromosomal aberrations, single gene disorders, complex diseases; diagnostic and screening applications, screening for genetic susceptibility, and gene therapy.
Epidemiology 516: Genetics in Epidemiology
Introduction to genetics and analytical methods relevant to epidemiology. Emphasis on use of genetics to help describe disease frequency and distribution and to gain insight into biological etiologies. Basic genetic principles, molecular genetics, models of transmission, population and quantitative genetics, genetic epidemiology.
Epidemiology 519: Introduction to Principles and Methods of Molecular Epidemiology
Molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology, bacterial disease, immunologic techniques and assays, immune markers, viruses, vaccines, molecular epidemiology of cancer, infectious diseases, endocrine assays.
Epidemiology 621: Cancer Epidemiology
The course will review the socio-demographic magnitude of cancer, basic concepts of cancer biology and the causes of cancer. Methods for evaluating genetic factors, tobacco, alcohol, radiation, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, viruses and nutrition will be review in lecture and by classroom discussion of selected publications, and data analysis of one of two large case-control datasets.
Epidemiology 624: Spatial Analysis of Disease Patterns and Process
Spatial data handling, explanatory data analysis; spatial statistical methods, detection and description of disease pattern, spatial models, inference from spatial data, GIS.
Biology 324: The Biology of Cancer
Cancer cell biology, malignancy, metastasis, oncogenesis, carcinogenesis, cancer viruses, oncogenes and suppressor genes. Cancer epidemiology, prevention, psychological and societal aspects. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and experimental therapeutics.
Biology 427: Molecular Biology
Comprehensive coverage of the general principles governing the structures, synthesis, and functions of DNA, RNA, and proteins in the context of the cell. Topics include genome organization, DNA replication and transposition, chromosome segregation, transcription and translation, the processing of macromolecules, signal transfer, and regulation at various levels.
Biology 583: Radiation Biology
Molecular and cellular radiobiology, DNA damage and repair, cell cycle, opoptasis, radiation interactions and biochemistry, target therapy, cell survival models, oxygen effect. Radiation and human health, tissue anatomy, acute and late effects, carcinogenesis tumor development, risk assessment. Radiation therapy, tumor growth, fractionation, combined therapies.
Pathology 553: Cancer Biology
Topics covered include carcinogenesis and cancer progression, dominant oncogenes, tumor suppression genes in cancer development, apoptosis in cancer progression and clinical oncology and therapeutics.
Pathology 581: Tissue, Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease
The nature of disease, principles of abnormal biology, role of heredity in disease, cellular injury and death, inflammation and repair, disturbances of circulation, immunopathology, infection and disease, neoplasia.
Environmental and Industrial Health 502: Essentials of Toxicology
Designed primarily for students not majoring in toxicology. Includes does response relationships, molecular basis for toxic action, target organ toxicity, chemically induced mutagenesis, teratogenesis and carcinogenesis, and effects of selected common substances.
Environmental and Industrial Health 513: Pathophysiology
Alterations in normal physiology associated with common disease states. Cellular physiology, organ physiology, systemic physiology.
Microbiology and Immunology 602: Molecular Biology of Animal Tumor Viruses
Overview of animal virology, RNA tumor viruses, signal transduction in growth control, nuclear oncoproteins, DNA tumor viruses.
Human Genetics 541: Gene Structure and Regulation
The structure and function of genetic elements with special emphasis on anatomy of the eukaryotic gene, mRNA processing, splicing mutations, evolution of introns, gene transfer, viral-host interactions, regulation of RNA and DNA viruses, transcriptional regulation of yeast and mammalian genes, tissue-specific enhancers, mechanisms of hormone action, oncogenes.
Human Genetics 542: Human Molecular/Cellular and Population Genetics
RFLPs as genetic markers in prenatal diagnosis; molecular defects in PKU, LeschNyhan; FHC, Hemophilia; gene mapping by somatic cell genetics and linkage analysis in pedigrees; applications of pulsed field gel electrophoresis; reverse genetics in cystic fibrosis and Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy; X-chromosome inactivation; cancer cyogenetics.
Pharmacology 500: Principles of Drug Action
Introduction to the principles of pharmacology as a basis for understanding the manner whereby drugs and/or chemicals can affect living processes.
Pharmacology 610: Principles of Pharmacology
Topics include drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (pharmacokinetics); carcinogenicity; toxicity; and resistance. |
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