Cancer in the 21st Century

This course examined three key questions about cancer diagnosis and treatment: Where have we come from? Where are we now? And where are we going? It looked at the biological basis of cancer, influences on causation, how it is detected and treated, and the development of new treatment strategies. Learners gained insights into patients’ experiences, discussed key issues relating to this topic and also had the chance to undertake their own internet-based investigation into one of the developing areas of Epigenetics. Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more A background in biology may be helpful, but isn’t absolutely necessary as the course will build your knowledge week-on-week. Students who are interested in applying for the Cancer Sciences or Medical Genetics MSc programmes at the University of Glasgow are also encouraged to enrol on this course. FutureLearners who have completed the University of Bath’s “ Inside Cancer: How Genes Influence Cancer Development ” course will find that this course builds upon their previous knowledge. You can use the hashtag #FLCancer21 to talk about this course on social media.

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Cancer genomics: overview and revolution

According to learners, this course provides an excellent and clear overview of cancer in the 21st century, focusing on the genomic revolution. Students found the content engaging and well-structured, appreciating how the modules gradually build knowledge week-on-week. A key highlight for many was the inclusion of the patient perspective, adding a crucial human element to the science. While the course is designed to be accessible, some learners noted that having prior biology or genetics background is highly beneficial, as the pace can be challenging without it. Overall, it's seen as a solid foundation for understanding modern cancer research and treatment, though some advanced learners desired more in-depth coverage on specific topics.

Provides a broad overview, not deep dive.

"This course is a fantastic overview of cancer genomics for someone new to the field, but it doesn't go into extreme depth on any one topic."

"Great introduction, but researchers might find it too basic."

"Covers a lot of ground relatively quickly."

"Provided a solid foundation, but I needed other resources for more detailed understanding."

Focus on epigenetics was interesting.

"The section on Epigenetics was especially interesting and well-explained."

"Liked the internet investigation task related to epigenetics."

"A good introduction to the role of epigenetics in cancer."

Valuable insights from the patient experience.

"I particularly appreciated the inclusion of patient stories, which made the science feel more real and impactful."

"It was important to see the human side of cancer research and treatment discussed."

"Bringing in the patient perspective added significant value to the technical content."

Content is clear, engaging, and well-organized.

"The course content was presented very clearly and logically, making complex topics understandable."

"I really enjoyed the lectures and readings; they kept me engaged throughout the course."

"The way the course builds week by week is very effective for learning."

"Excellent structure that guides you through the topic step-by-step."

Benefits greatly from prior science knowledge.

"While the description says a biology background isn't necessary, I think having one is extremely helpful to keep up with the concepts."

"This course is great if you have some background in biology or genetics; otherwise, it can be a bit challenging."

"It was manageable without a biology degree, but I had to spend extra time researching terms."

"I found it helpful that I already knew basic genetics principles going in."

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Learners who complete Cancer in the 21st Century: the Genomic Revolution will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Cancer genomics: overview and revolution

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