Cancer Sciences

Students must contact the course coordinator listed for permission to register in a course.

Every effort is made to keep this list accurate and up-to-date. As course and instructor information may change, always consult current listings in Bear Tracks prior to course registration.

Approved Courses

Find a list of all approved Cancer Sciences courses here.

 

ONCOL 520 - Tumor Biology

★ 3 (fi 6) (second term, 3-0-0) The course will provide an introduction to the basic science of oncology. Topics to be covered comprise: the genetic basis of cancer, including the role of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes; mechanisms of carcinogenesis and radiation-sensitivity, including DNA repair and cell cycle control; the molecular basis of tumor metastasis, including tumor cell invasion, extravasation and dormancy; the role of inflammation in cancer initiation and progression; angiogenesis; cancer genetics, and epigenetics; cell signaling; experimental therapeutics; cancer stem cells; drug-resistance; metabolism and palliation. Prerequisites: BIOCH 200, and one of the following: BIOCH 320 or 330 or ONCOL 320.

Note: Course offered in alternate (even-numbered) years.

Course Coordinator: Dr. Kristi Baker - kbaker2@ualberta.ca

ONCOL 524 - Nutrition and Metabolism Related to Cancer

★ 3 (fi 6) (first term, 3-0-0) A lecture and reading course to address nutritional issues specifically related to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Lectures are the same as for ONCOL 424, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies. Credit will only be given for one of ONCOL 524, 424 and AFNS 524, 424. Prerequisite: (NUTR 301 and 302) or (NUFS 352 and 6* Biochemistry) or ONCOL 320.

Course Coordinator: Dr. Vera Mazurak - vmazurak@ualberta.ca

ONCOL 525 - Advanced Topics in Cancer

★ 3 (fi 6) (either term, 3-0-0) This course provides an in-depth analysis of selected topics in cancer research. The course features three modules, each covering a different area of cancer research. Modules 1 - 3 and Modules 4 - 6 will be offered in alternate years. Each module is comprised of 8 sessions of 80 min each, with each module taught as an independent unit. Modules have both lecture and group discussion components. Lectures are the same as for ONCOL 425, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in ONCOL 425. Prerequisite: CELL 201/BIOL 201 and a 300 level science course in BIOCH, GENET, ONCOL, CELL or consent of the Department.

Course Coordinator: Dr. Roseline Godbout (rgodbout@ualberta.ca)

ONCOL 570 - Directed Reading in Experimental Oncology

★ 3 (fi 6) (either term, 0-3s-0) Reading and discussion of current research literature on selected topics in experimental oncology under the direction of one or more faculty members. Topics presently available include cell adhesion mechanisms, cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, radiotherapy and susceptibility and resistance, oncogenes/tumor suppressor genes, and tumor cell metastasis. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department.

Notes: (1) Grades will be based on participation in group discussions and/or written reports from assigned readings with emphasis on critical evaluation of the subject matter. (2) Students in other graduate programs may register with the consent of Instructors.

Course Coordinator: Dr. Gordon Chan - gkc@ualberta.ca

ONCOL 575 - Fundamentals of Radiopharmaceutical Sciences

★ 3 (fi 6) (either term or Spring/Summer, 0-0-3) Practical techniques in the use of radioisotopes in the life sciences. This course focuses on safe handling of radio-isotopes, measurement of radioactivity, performance of radiochemical reactions and the application of radionuclides in life sciences (99mTc-labeling and 18F-labeling). The accompanying seminar provides the necessary background knowledge to engage with the practical challenges of radionuclide handling. Credit cannot be obtained for both ONCOL 475 and 575.

Course Coordinator: Dr. Ralf Schirrmacher - schirrma@ualberta.ca

ONCOL 620 - Recent Advances in Cancer Research

★ 3 (fi 6) (first term, 0-3s-0) A directed reading and seminar course based on recent developments in the cellular and molecular biology of cancer. The students will critically review papers selected from the recent literature and give oral presentations. Prerequisites: ONCOL 520 and consent of the Department.

Notes: Offered in alternate (odd-numbered) years.

Course Coordinator: Dr. Roseline Godbout - rgodbout@ualberta.ca

ONCOL 660 - Current Topics in Cancer Research

★ 2 (fi 4) (second term, 0-1.5s-0) A general seminar/discussion course on recent advances in a wide range of topics related to cancer development and management. Selected topics include experimental therapeutics, molecular oncogenetics, tumour immunobiology, DNA repair, and cell cycle regulation.

Notes: (1) all graduate students in the Department of Oncology are expected to attend the seminars whether or not they are registered in the course. (2) All graduate students in the Department of Oncology should register in the course in their second year and present a seminar based on their research project. (3) All graduate students registered in ONCOL 660 will write a paper on a selected topic. Restricted to graduate students in the Department of Oncology.

ONCOL 660-661-Course Pkg Intro 2019-20

Course Coordinator: Dr. Roseline Godbout - rgodbout@ualberta.ca

ONCOL 661 - Current Topics in Cancer Research II

★ 1 (fi 2) (first term, 0-1s-0) A general seminar course based on recent advances in a wide range of topics related to cancer.

Notes: Oncology 661 should be taken in the first term of the year in which Oncology 660 is taken. Graduate students must obtain one credit from ONCOL 661 in order to meet the minimum requirements for the MSc and PhD programs in the Department of Oncology. Restricted to graduate students in the Department of Oncology.

ONCOL 660-661-Course Pkg Intro 2019-20

Course Coordinator: Dr. Roseline Godbout - rgodbout@ualberta.ca

Medical Physics

Students must contact the Division Director, Dr. Gino Fallone (bfallone@ualberta.ca) for permission to register a course.

Every effort is made to keep this list accurate and up-to-date. As course and instructor information may change, always consult current listings in Bear Tracks prior to course registration.

BME 320 - Human Anatomy & Physiology: Cells & Tissue
★ 3 (fi 6) (first term, 3-0-0) An introduction to the fundamental levels of organization of the human body highlighted in engineering terms. The first half of the course will consider the chemical, cellular, and tissue levels of organization. The second half of the course will be devoted to bone, joints, muscle, and neural tissue. Guest lectures will include engineers and medical scientists to discuss the relationship between recent advances in biomedical engineering and the underlying anatomy and physiology. This course is intended for students in the Faculty of Engineering. Students from other faculties must obtain the consent of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Credit may be obtained for only BME 210 or 320.
BME 321 - Human Anatomy & Physiology: Systems
★ 3 (fi 6) (second term, 3-0-0)An introduction to the organization of the human body at the level of the anatomical systems highlighted in engineering terms. Lectures will be devoted to the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, nervous and endocrine systems, and fluid, electrolyte and acid-base homeostasis. Guest lectures will include engineers and medical scientists to discuss the relationship between recent advances in biomedical engineering and the underlying anatomy and physiology. This course is intended for students in the Faculty of Engineering. Students from other faculties must obtain the consent of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Credit may be obtained for only BME 211 or 321. Prerequisite: BME 320 or consent of Instructor.
BME 564 - Fundamentals of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI
★ 3 (fi 6) (first term, 3-0-0) Designed for graduate and advanced undergraduate students requiring a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of imaging by means of nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR. Topics include the principles of NMR as applied to imaging, image processing, imaging techniques for achieving specific types of contrast, image artefacts, and typical applications. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
ONCOL 550 - Medical Radiation Physics
★ 3 (fi 6) (first term, 3-0-0) Fundamentals of radiation physics, production and properties of ionizing radiation and their interactions with matter and tissue. Interactions of photons and of charged particles with matter. Concepts of radiation dosimetry (theoretical and experimental, cavity theory and ionization chambers). Prerequisite: Consent of the Department.
ONCOL 552 - Fundamentals of Applied Dosimetry
★ 3 (fi 6) (second term, 3-0-0) Theory and practical techniques of external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Topics include single and multiple external beams, scatter analysis, inhomogeneity corrections, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), dose calculation algorithms, fundamentals of brachytherapy, and brachytherapy dosimetry systems. Prerequisite: ONCOL 550 and consent of the Department.
ONCOL 554 - Laboratory in Medical Radiation Physics
★ 2 (fi 4) (Spring/Summer, 0-0-4) Practical aspects of medical physics as applied to radiation therapy. Exposure to the operation of various therapy machines and dose measuring equipment. Application of techniques to measure physical parameters of radiation beams. Introduction to radiation treatment planning with techniques for specific tumor sites. Prerequisite: ONCOL 550 and consent of the Department. Corequisite: ONCOL 552.
ONCOL 556 - Laboratory in Imaging
★ 2 (fi 4) (Spring/Summer, 0-0-4) Practical experience with medical physics applied to diagnostic imaging. Operation of radiographic imaging systems and their evaluation with various test equipment and dosimetry systems. Introduction to the operation and evaluation of some advanced imaging modalities. Prerequisites: ONCOL 550, 562 and consent of the Department. Corequisites: ONCOL 568 and 564.
ONCOL 558 - Health Physics
★ 2 (fi 4) (first term, 2-0-0) Sources of radiation, basic dosimetry, and hazards of ionizing radiation. Basics of radiation safety. Techniques for the detection, use, and safe handling of radiation sources. Radiation safety codes, laws and regulations. Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
ONCOL 560 - Technology in Radiation Oncology
★ 2 (fi 4) (first term, 2-0-0) Explore the use of technology and physics principles in the diagnosis, tumour and normal tissue delineation, treatment planning, treatment delivery, and treatment verification as applied to cancer patients. Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
ONCOL 562 - Theory of Medical Imaging
★ 3 (fi 6) (first term, 3-0-0) A system theory approach to the production, analysis, processing and reconstruction of medical images. An extensive use of Fourier techniques is used to describe the processes involved with conventional radiographic detectors, digital and computed radiography. Review and application of image processing techniques used in diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
ONCOL 564 - Physics of Nuclear Medicine
★ 3 (fi 6) (second term, 3-0-0) Discussion of the fundamental physics of radioactivity, the use of unsealed sources in medical diagnosis and treatment. Unsealed source dosimetry, nuclear measurement instrumentation, spectrometry. Design and function of gamma cameras, single photon emission tomography, and positron emission tomography. Prerequisites: ONCOL 550, 562 and consent of the Department.
ONCOL 566 - Radiation Biophysics
★ 3 (fi 6) (second term, 3-0-0) Current theories and models of cellular responses to ionizing radiation. Modification of radiation response. Radiobiology of normal and neoplastic tissue systems. Late effects of radiation on normal tissue. Radiobiological modeling of normal tissue complication, probability and tumor control probability. Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
ONCOL 568 - Physics of Diagnostic Radiology
★ 3 (fi 6) (second term, 3-0-0) Rigorous development of the physics of x-ray production, interaction and detection in diagnostic radiology, including mammography and ultrasound. In-depth analysis of analog and digital systems in radiography and fluoroscopy is given. The description and design of computed tomographic systems as well as the associated reconstruction algorithms from single to multislice helical systems are studied. Prerequisites: ONCOL 550, 562 and consent of the Department.
ONCOL 600 - Graduate Medical Physics Seminar
★ 2 (fi 4) (two term, 0-1s-0) Weekly seminars given by faculty on topics of interest to the medical physics community that are not formally included with the other didactic courses. Includes medical statistics, anatomy/physiology for medical physics, site-specific cancer, experience in clinic, Monte Carlo simulation, Matlab, MR spectroscopy, finite element analysis, and image fusion. No prerequisite.
ONCOL 690 - Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Methods and Applications
★ 3 (fi 6) (either term, 3-0-0) Advanced course on modern magnetic resonance techniques including in-depth description of hardware; advanced imaging sequences and image reconstruction methods; methodologies for in-vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Prerequisite: BME 564 and consent of Instructor.
ONCOL 691 - Advanced Magnetic Resonance Physics
★ 3 (fi 6) (either term, 3-0-0) Guided lecture course with preparation and delivery of teaching lectures on a current topic of Magnetic Resonance research in conjunction with ONCOL 692 and 693 presentations. Prerequisite: ONCOL 690 and consent of Instructor.
ONCOL 692 - Advanced Radiological and Nuclear Imaging Physics
★ 3 (fi 6) (either term, 3-0-0) Guided reading course in advanced ultrasound, fluoroscopy, X-ray CT, or nuclear imaging with preparation and presentation of teaching lectures in conjunction with ONCOL 691 and 693 presentations. Prerequisite: ONCOL 562, 564, 568, 600, and consent of Instructor.
ONCOL 693 - Advanced Radiotherapeutic Physics
★ 3 (fi 6) (either term, 3-0-0) Guided reading course with preparation and delivery of teaching lectures in novel radiotherapeutic techniques, advanced radiation techniques and delivery in conjunction with ONCOL 691 and 692 presentations. Prerequisite: ONCOL 550, 552, 600, and consent of Instructor.