• University of Leeds

Exploring Cancer Medicines

Explore the use of medicines in treating cancer and take your first steps towards becoming a science writer.

58,675 enrolled on this course

Exploring Cancer Medicines

58,675 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

This course will introduce you to the topic of cancer chemotherapy, and how the development of effective medications for the treatment of cancer remains a significant challenge to scientists.

You will research the use and development of cancer medicines, focusing on chemotherapy. In addition, through an exploration of how science is communicated to the general public, you will also look at the skills you need to become an effective science writer.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 6 seconds Cancer affects one person in three and caused a quarter of all deaths during the year 2014. Consequently, the development of effective cancer medications is one of the greatest health challenges mankind faces. But what progress has been made over the last 10 years? And how is this communicated to the general public? This short course provides the facts. It introduces you to the role that chemotherapy plays in the treatment of cancers and looks at how you can develop your skills as an effective science communicator. Through videos, activities, and quizzes, you’ll become familiar with how chemical knowledge is applied to solve the challenges at the forefront of medicinal chemistry.

Skip to 0 minutes and 51 seconds We start by investigating how cancer cells are formed, exploring the cancer medicines which are used to treat them, focusing on chemotherapy. In week two, we investigate the developments in cancer chemotherapy research and the future of cancer medicines. Along the way, you’ll examine how science is communicated and research and discuss medicinal chemistry with learners from around the world. You’ll also have the opportunity to write a blog post about the major developments in chemotherapy. Sign up now to Exploring Cancer Medicines.

What topics will you cover?

  • The history of cancer medicines with a focus on cancer chemotherapy.
  • The sources of information to use when researching cancer medicines.
  • Important developments that led to the discovery of modern chemotherapeutics.
  • How developments in cancer medicines are reported in the news.
  • Modern perspectives of cancer chemotherapy.
  • An overview of new approaches to cancer treatment.
  • Telling the story: research and write a blog post about future directions in cancer medicines.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Reflect on what cancer chemotherapy is and how it was developed.
  • Identify resources which can be used to find out more about the developments in cancer medicines.
  • Compare examples of science writing, and identify angles and target audiences.
  • Investigate current developments in cancer medicines and discuss potential future approaches to treatment.
  • Produce a short blog post about future directions in cancer medicine treatments.

Who is the course for?

This course is part of the Going to University collection which has been specifically designed for students at schools and colleges. They provide a taster of undergraduate study at the University of Leeds and help students to decide which subject to study at university.

Who will you learn with?

I am an academic at the University of Leeds (School of Chemistry) researching the development of new medicines to treat cancer and other diseases.

http://www.chem.leeds.ac.uk/People/Foster.html

I'm from West Yorkshire. I'm a Professor at the University of Leeds & Dean : Student Education. I research cancer & evolution https://physicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/staff/210/professor-paul-taylor

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 11 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
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  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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