University of Massachusetts Amherst

Biology of Cancer and AIDS

SPRING 2016
https://moodle.umass.edu/course/view.php?id=28444
Micro 160
Mahar
MWF 11:15 12:05
TAs: Johnathan Miller
Steven van Alstine

Credit Hours: 4

jcmiller@microbio.umass.edu
svanalstine@cns.umass.edu

Instructor: Mitchell J Walkowicz Ph.D.

Department of Microbiology

mjwalkow@cns.umass.edu
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will explore how Cancer and AIDS begin and progress. We will discuss the roles of individual cells,
the immune system, gene mutations and infectious agents in cancer development, as well as how various physical,
genetic and environmental factors influence one's chances of getting cancer. The class will cover specific cancers,
treatment strategies, and how lifestyle affects cancer risks and survival. The class will cover HIV biology,
transmission, prevention strategies, treatment, principles of vaccine development and why HIV presents special
challenges for vacinologists. Finally, we will seek to better understand what cancer and AIDS can teach us about
the human nature, health, healing, disease, living, and dying. Students who enroll in this course will be expected
to possess the discipline and initiative to read, review, listen, discuss and study subject material that is presented
in lectures, the class website and the textbooks. Your understanding of the course material will be assessed
through 3 in class exams, writing assignments and an optional final exam. The instructor and teaching assistants
will guide your studies through review sessions prior to each exam.
II. RATIONALE: A well-educated person in the 21st century should have some knowledge of the biological
sciences and the theories that have been developed to explain and understand the great complexity of the human
body and the diversity seen in natural environment. Specifically, a college graduate should have a basic
understanding of the biological processes involved in disease development and progression, treatment options
and our role in disease prevention through proper nutrition and lifestyle changes. Cancer and AIDS are two of
the most important diseases of the 20th and 21st century, affecting millions of people each year. Approximately
1.5 million Americans will be newly diagnosed with cancer this year and almost 8 million people worldwide
died of the disease last year. Over 38 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV/AIDS, every 16
seconds someone contracts HIV/AIDS and every 12 seconds someone dies of AIDS. It is therefore essential
that future leaders fully understand the scientific, social and political issues associated with these diseases.

III. Recommended TEXTBOOKS

Principles of Cancer Biology by Lewis J. Kleinsmith, 2008
The Biology of AIDS, 2nd Ed. by Wilmore Webley, 2009
You may purchase this from the publisher

http://www.kendallhunt.com/webley/

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University of Massachusetts Amherst

V. COURSE STRUCTURE
EXAMS: There will be three exams during class time as indicated in the schedule. The Final Exam is optional,
unless you have missed an in class exam. Any student who misses one of the three class exams must take the final
exam. There are no makeup exams in this class. If you take all three exams in class and still choose to take the
final, your lowest grade will be dropped and your final grade will be the average of your 3 best exam grades plus
the written assignments. If you only take three exams no exam grade will be dropped.
Exams will account for 65% of your final grade in this class.
Please bring a #2 pencil to each exam.
Your exam will be taken from you and you will receive a zero for any instance of exchanging information
during an exam.
QUIZES and WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: There will be three quizzes (10% of grade) will be available on
Moodle, they will help review material prior to exams. Writing assignments account for 25% of your final grade.
They will include two short writing assignments (15%) and a longer cancer report (10%). They are meant to give
you practice with a scientific vocabulary and assembling a comprehensive block of information.
Details of these assignments and due dates will be announced in class and posted well in advance on MOODLE.
GRADES: Your final grade will be based on three best exam scores (65%) and writing assignment and quiz
grades (35%) the grade scale is listed below.
ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION: Students are strongly encouraged to
attend all lectures, review and discussion sessions; however attendance will not be
recorded. Students should review the lecture slides and assigned reading before the
scheduled lecture and be prepared to participate in classroom discussions or answer
questions when called upon.
CLASS COMMUNICATION: All class-related communication will be handled
through the Moodle course site. This includes emails, grades, answer keys, PDF
copies of lecture slides, announcements and reading assignments.

Grade Scale
A --------------93-100
A- ---------------89-92
B+ --------------86-88
B ----------------82-85
B- ---------------79-81
C+ --------------76-78
C ----------------73-75
C- ---------------70-72
D+---------------65-69
D-----------------60-64
F -----------Below 60

ACCOMODATIONS: Please see or email me if you require special accommodations due to learning
disabilities, religious practices, physical requirements, medical needs, or any other reasons. Students with
disabilities who will require special assistance should register with Disability Services. You can find more
information at http://www.umass.edu/disability/.

PLAGIARISM: The University of Massachusetts has a strict academic honesty policy including a plagiarism
policy (please visit http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/codeofconduct/acadhonesty/). The University has a
great compilation of resources on how to avoid plagiarism and you should take some time to review these. Any
indication or instance of plagiarism will be investigated and students will receive a grade of zero for a first clear
offense. A second offense will be reported to the Academic Honesty Board and a hearing will be held to
determine a final action. Of course the goal is to avoid this process. Please read the Universitys policy on
Avoiding Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty policies. The TAs and instructor are always willing to help you
avoid these problems in the first place.
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University of Massachusetts Amherst

VI. EXAM SCHEDULE and TENTATIVE LECTURE TOPICS

day
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
T
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F

date
1/20
1/22
1/25
1/27
1/29
2/1
2/3
2/5
2/8
2/10
2/12
2/16
2/17
2/19
2/22
2/24
2/26
2/29
3/2
3/4

description
Introductions & Life Expectancy
Nature of disease
What is Cancer?
DNA Mutation & Cancer Initiation
Profile of a Cancer Cell
Cancers Most Deadliest Weapon
Immune Function and Cancer
Cancer Epidemiology
The Importance of Clinical Trials
Cancer Causation
Heredity and Cancer
Exam #1
Breast Cancer Biology
Breast Cancer Treatment
Diet and Cancer
Colorectal Cancer Progression
Tobacco and Cancer
Tobacco and Cancer
HPV Liver Cancer

day
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
W
F
M
W

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date
3/7
3/9
3/11
3/21
3/23
3/25
3/28
3/30
4/1
4/4
4/6
4/8
4/11
4/13
4/15
4/20
4/22
4/25
4/27

description
Experimental Bias/Burkitts Lymphoma

Skin Cancer Risk Factors

Prostate Cancer
HPV Infection & Cervical Cancer
Cancer Screening & Diagnosis
Cancer Treatment Strategies
Exam #2
HIV/AIDS Overview
The Origin of HIV
The Biology of AIDS
High Risk Behavior & AIDS Test
When HIV Progresses to AIDS
AIDS in the United States
AIDS in the Developing World
Treating HIV/AIDS
A Cure for Cancer and AIDS?
Will There be an AIDS Vaccine?
HIV Treatment Horizons
Exam #3