• University of Leeds

Exploring Cancer Medicines

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

61,441 enrolled on this course

Exploring Cancer Medicines

61,441 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

  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
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    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

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.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The development of cancer medicines

    • Welcome

      Welcome

      Before you get started, take some time to introduce yourself and meet your fellow learners from around the world.

    • Activity one

      What is cancer chemotherapy?

      In this activity, you are introduced to cancer chemotherapy and start to research the early developments in this important field of medicinal science.

    • Activity 2

      The historical perspective

      In this activity, Dr Richard Foster shares his research into the history of developments in cancer medicines.

    • Activity three

      What's in the news?

      In this activity, you will investigate how developments in cancer medicines are reported in the news in your part of the world.

    • Summary

      To close this week, you are introduced to some of the options for studying at the University of Leeds. You will also be introduced to the topics covered next week.

  • Week 2

    The future of cancer medicines

    • About Week 2

      About Week 2

      This week, you will find out more about the developments which have taken place in cancer medicines over the last 10 years, and explore what the future holds for cancer treatment.

    • Activity one

      What's happening now?

      Last week, you explored the history of cancer medicines. In this activity, Dr Richard Foster brings you up to date by looking at recent developments and current research.

    • Activity two

      Future directions

      In this activity you will discover what the future of cancer treatments could look like.

    • Activity three

      Keeping up to date

      In this activity, you will find out how blog posts can keep you up to date with the developments in cancer research. You’ll also put your writing skills into practice by drafting a blog post.

    • Summary

      Summary

      Having reached the end of this course, you can test your understanding and then look forward to further courses from the University of Leeds.

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?

Richard Foster

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

Paul Taylor

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

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

$244.99 for a whole year

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

$54/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 18 Feb 2025

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

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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