Introduction to the Biology of Cancer Course Syllabus

Overview: This beginner-friendly course from Johns Hopkins University offers a clear and concise introduction to the biology of cancer, designed for learners with no prior background in science. Over six modules and approximately 8 hours, you'll explore the global impact of cancer, its genetic foundations, key cellular changes, and how it spreads and is diagnosed. The course concludes with an overview of treatment strategies and clinical trials, plus special insights into liver and prostate cancers. With short videos, readings, and quizzes, the content is efficiently delivered and highly accessible for students, professionals, and lifelong learners interested in oncology.

Module 1: Incidence and Etiology of Cancer

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Basics of cancer biology
• Types of cancer
• Incidence worldwide
• Etiology and causes

Module 2: Genetics of Cancer

Estimated time: 0.8 hours

• Mutations and cancer development
• Genomic instability
• The two-hit hypothesis
• Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes

Module 3: Ten Cellular Hallmarks of Cancer

Estimated time: 1 hour

• The concept of cellular hallmarks
• Key hallmark 1: Sustaining proliferative signaling
• Key hallmark 2: Evading growth suppressors
• Additional hallmarks of cancer cells

Module 4: Metastasis: The Real Killer

Estimated time: 1 hour

• How cancer spreads through the body
• The metastatic process
• TNM staging system
• Ecological metaphor of metastasis

Module 5: Imaging in Oncology

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Role of imaging in diagnosis and staging
• Common imaging types used in oncology
• Concept of oligometastasis

Module 6: Treatment

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Treatment options in cancer
• Overview of clinical trials
• Special focus: Liver cancer
• Special focus: Prostate cancer

Prerequisites

• No prior knowledge required
• Basic understanding of biology helpful but not necessary
• Access to internet for video and reading materials

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Explain the global incidence and common types of cancer
• Describe how genetic mutations lead to cancer development
• Identify the ten cellular hallmarks that define cancer
• Understand how metastasis contributes to cancer mortality
• Recognize the role of imaging and treatment strategies in oncology