Cancer Research

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours per 12.5 credit point subject

To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted in the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Sciences (GC-CANCRSC). This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.

Students should have an understanding of the fundamental biological systems that give rise to cancer, and to the principles of multidisciplinary cancer care.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Student Equity and Disability Support Team: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The Cancer research subject will provide students with an understanding of the breadth of quantitative and qualitative methodology that gives rise to the evidence base in cancer care, biology, prevention and education. Students will be guided through key considerations in the development of rational arguments, hypothesis driven design and ethical components of cancer research. Current cancer research programmes will be used to highlight the strength of a multidisciplinary approach in research design and analysis.

This subject will provide students with an ability to apply research methodologies in the context of cancer. Students will learn about the structure and skills required to conduct successful research activities. There will be an introduction to a variety of methods for investigation including experimental and clinical trial design, methodology for population-based studies, ethical considerations, and statistical analyses. In addition, critical analysis of the literature will be embedded throughout the subject with exposure to the current active areas of research in cancer. Students will implement these elements into the design of a cancer research project.

At the completion of this subject, students should demonstrate an ability to:

• Critically examine various methodological approaches used in cancer research
• Demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge for bioinformatic analysis of cancer research data
• Discuss the ethical, regulatory and statistical principles in cancer research
• Examine the risks and benefits of cutting edge approaches and new-technologies in cancer research
• Critically evaluate and communicate cancer research outcomes
• Construct sound arguments to apply to the development of testable hypotheses for research design
• Demonstrate well-developed judgment in the application of methodology and statistical methods to research design

1. Oral Presentation (group format, 30 minutes, 1000 word equivalent) - 20%
2. Bioinformatics Data Analysis Assignment (1500 words) - 25%
3. Research Design Assignment (2500 words) - 55%

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.