Cancer Seminar A Modality for Improving the Oral Communication Skill of Chemistry Students Milton J. Wieder Metropolitan State College. Denver, CO 80204
Increasinelv. attention has focused on the need to develop u . . opportunities for students to practice and to improve their oral and written communication skills in the undergraduate chemistry c u r r i ~ u l u m . 'One ~ ~ successful approach to accomplish these goals has been the undergraduate research seminar. However, for chemistry departments with a limited number of majors and whose main responsibility is servicing nonmajors interested in the health sciences, the research seminar mav- prove too specialized to attract a large audi. ence. At Metropolitan State College, we have found that a seminnr course develoned around the subiect of cancer has wide.. spread appeal to majors and nonmajors alike. In addition to reenforcine student skills in oreanizina - and delivering- oral presentations, the cancer seminar provides a unique opportunity to integrate basic information students have been exposed to in their chemistry and biology courses. Moreover, by providing a setting in which particular attention is paid to enhancingstudent speakingskills, it is hoped that the cancer seminar. in conjunction with formal writing requirements in chemist& laboratory and lecture classes, willhelp address the concerns mentioned a t the start of this article. ~~~
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Course Description and Organization As illustrated in the table, the course has beendividedinto four major areas for discussion: (1) What characterizes and distinguishes cancer cells? (2) How does cancer originate? (3) How is cancer treated? (4) How is cancer detected? Inasmuch as cancer is a disease of cellular origin, Unit One concentrates on contrasting normal cell versus cancer cell behavior/structure. The cell cycle and concepts such as hyperplasia, anaplasia, autonomy, metastasis, initiation, and promotion are reviewed here. In Unit Two, mechanisms of radiation-induced carcinogenesis, chemical carcinogenesis, and viral carcinogenesis are explored and discussed in the context of the oncogene theory of cancer. Unit Three delves into the varied treatment &odalities-both conventional and unconventional-used in modern cancer therapy and seeks to understand the chemical/biological rationale for each. Lastly, Unit Four examines a number of tests used for the detection of cancer. The controversial topic of animal testing and the validity of extrapolated animal results to human beings is also discussed. Within each of the four major areas of emphasis are a number of subto~icsfrom which a student may select a talk for presentation. The references provided a;e more than sufficient to enable a student to prepare a half hour talk. Further, the references have been drawn primarily from journals such as Science, Scientific American, Chemical & Engineering News, and the Journal of Chemical Education to ensure that undergraduates will have easy access to the references and will have the requisite background knowledge to comprehend the information contained therein.
Operation and Gradlng of the Course
The cancer seminar that has been offered over the last 10 years a t Metropolitan State College is a one-credit (1 contact hlwkl. unner division elective open to students who have completed one year each of general chemistry and general bioloev and who have taken a t least one semester of organic chem%try. Due to the broad range of background experience that students brine to the seminar ahove and beyond basic prerequisites, ever; attempt is made to apportion talks on a voluntarv basis as determined by a student's predilection for a given subtopic. Talks are presented in the sequence indicated in the table. Ideally, course enrollment should be such that each student gives at least one oral presentation per semester. The first class meeting is devoted to introduction and course descriptionlstudent selection of talks. The second class meeting is set aside for an overview presentationgiven by the instructor or a guest speaker. The rest of the semester typically has two student resenta at ions Der class meetine with the very last week reserved for a written final examination. Student talksareevaluawd on the basisof clarity of delivery, organization, content accuracy, completeness/relevance of data, response to questionslpoints of disagreement, and the efficacy of handouts and/or audiovisual aids. Students are encouraged to take note of any assumptions, qualifications, or contradictions they discover in the course of their readings and are expected to put these into perspective for their classmates. The overall course grade is determined as follows: oral nresentation (70%). talk outline (10%). and final examination (20%).In iieu afinal examination, the option of aterm paper may be entertained. With approval from the instructor, a student would select a cancer-related topic for indenendent librarv research. Such a project would test individ;a1 creativity A d would requirebt"dents to utilize library searching and writing skills. A.
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Summary Cancer seminar provides undergraduate students with an elective course in the chemistry curriculum that encourages integrative thinking, demonstrates the applicability of basic chemicalhiological concepts to a major health issue, and fosters the improvement of valuable communication skills.
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Committee on Professional Trainina Newsletter. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, ~inteF1988-1989,Vol V, p 3. 2Rosenthal,L. C., J. Chem Educ. 1987. 64. 996-998 and references cited thereln. Volume 67 Number 12 December 1990
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Cancer Semlnar Syllabus Unit One: Nature of Caneer Taik XI: Conhol of Cell Growlh in Normal vs. Caneer Cells Chemistry 1977.541). 25-29. Braun, A. C. The Bioiogy of Cancer; Addison-Wesley: Reading. MA. 1974: pp 28-49 Oppenheimer, S. B. Cancer-A Bioiogicai and Clinical htroduction, 2nd ed.; Jones 8 Bartlt: Boston, 1985; pp 41-49. Talk X2: Cancer Geils and Cell Surface Structural Features Chemistry 1977,541). 36-41. Oppenheimer. S. 8. Cancer-A Bioiogicai and Clinical tmrodoction. 2nd ed.; Jones a Bartien: Boston. 1985: pp 50-59. Science 1975, 190.39-40. Sci. Am. 1988, 2545). 44-53. Sci Am. 1988,254(6). 42-51. Talk #3: The Vascularizallon and Pmmotion of Tumors Sci. A m 1978.2345). 59-73. Science 1981, 212, 1374-1375. Science 1985, 230, 161. S c i Digest 1986, 942). 22. Science 1988,232, 1093-1095. Science 1986, 232, 1250-1252. Science 1987,235,442-447. Science 1987, 237, 23-24. Science 1988, 240, 177-183. Science 1978,201,515-518. Science 1983,219, 158-159. Science 1983,221.75-77. Talk X4: Cancer Metastasis Sci. Am. 1979, 2443). 66-76. Chemistry 1977,541). 18-24. Science 1982,215.275-277. Science 1982,217,996-1008 Chem. Eng News 1985,63(8), 10-17. Sci. Am. 1988, 2545). 60-68. Science 1989,244. 147-148. Unit Two: Orlglns of Cancer Tan #5: OmoTheory of Cancer Sci. Am. 1981,2446). 90-93. Sci A m 1982.2483). 80-92. Discowl982,3(6), 76-79. Sci. Am. 1983, 2445), 126142. Science 1983,222,802-603. Science 1984.223.40-41. Science 1984,223,673-676. Science 1984, 224, 1088. Talk X6: Oncogenes end Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis Sci Am. 1984, 251(2). 70-79. Chem. Eng. News 1983,61(3), 16-18. Science 1983, 221. 248. Science 1984, 223. 806. Chem Eng. News 1984,62(5). 11-15. Science 1985,230.770-778. Science 1987.237.602-603. Science 1987,238, 1337-1339. Science 1988, 239, 863. Science 1988,242, 1377-1378. Taik $7: Aml-Onwgenes: Role of Tumor Suppressor Genes in Carcinogenesis Discoverer 1987, 83). 85-95. Science 1987, 238, 1539-1545. Science 1988,239,257-258. Science 1988,239. 975-976. Science 1988,239, 1095-1094. Science 1988,241, 293-294. S c i Am. 1988, 2593). 44-51. Talk #8: DNA Repair and Carcinogenesis Sci. Am. 1967, 216(2). 36-43. Science1978,200,518-521. Sci. Am. 1981, 24q5). 33-4 1. Talk #9: Radiation and Carcinogenesis S c i Am. 1959, 201(3). 74-83. J. Chem. Educ 1981, 58. 135-139. SciOuest 1980, 53(6). 16-21. Sci. Am. 1982.24t72L . ... 41-49. Science 1988,240.606-609. Chem. Eng. News 1989, 67(6), 7-13.
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Talk #lo: Tobacco Radioactivity and TobaccrrSpecific Nitrosamines and Their Relalionshlpto Cancer in Smokers Am. Scl 1975, 63(4). 404-412. Chem. Eng. News 1988,64(18). 27-28. Accts. Chem. Res. 1979. 12, 92-98. Science 1988, 239, 250. Talk # I 1: Diet and Cancer Dief NmifioR and Cancar; National Academy: Washington, DC. 1982. Chem. Eng. News 1981. 5933). 32-34. Chem. Eng News 1981, 594). 37-38. Science 198%.211. 1410-1411. Chem. Eng. News 1977, 55(3). 35-37. J. Chem EdUC 1980.57.724-726, Environment1978, Zqlo), 31. Environment 1979, 21(5), 33. Science 1974, 186,809-811. Nat. Hist. 1981, 943). 12-16. Science 1983,221. 1256-1264. Science 1988,231,843-845. Talk X12: Nitrates, Niuttes, and Nib-ines Science 1972, 177. 15-18. J. Chem. EdUC. 1977, 54.440-441. Science 1978,200. 1487-1488. Science 1980, 241). 7-9. Chem. Eng News 1980,5913). 20-26. Chem Eng News 1981.5915). 30-31. Chem. Eng. News 1986. 6418). 38.
Unit mree: Cancer msrapler Taik X13: Radiotherapy and Thermotherapy Chemistry 1977, 546). 7-10. Am. Sci. 1976, 646). 668-673. J. Chem. Educ 1981,58, 156-161. Science 1984, 223, 934-935. Sci. Digest 1985. 93(11). 24. Sciences 1980, 249). 15-29. Med. Monm 1983, (Dec.). 39-43. Talk #14: Hormone Therapy Chem. Eng. News 1977,55(5). 22-23. Am. J. Nwsing 1977. 7i79). 1445-1446. Chem Eng. News 1980,58(44), 7. Rec. Res. CancerRes. 1989,21, 66-71. Science 1988.232, 1540-1542. Science 1987,236,517-519. Talk XIS: Chemotherapy Chemistry 1977, 546). 11-17. J. Chem. Educ. 1977,54.739-741. Pran, W. B.: Ruddon, R. W. The AnticancerDrogs: Oxfwd unlv.: ~ e YO*, w 1979. Chem. Eng. News 1985,63(50), 20-21. Chem. Eng. News 1986,64(40). 21-22. Chem. Eng. News 1986, 6449). 30-31. &m. Eng. News 1987, 65(11). 26-27. Science 1985,228, 73-75. Talk XIS: How Do Cancer Cells Avoid Destruction? Sci. Am. 1977, 2385). 62-79. Science 1986,231.220-221. Science 1986, 234, 818-820. Sci. Am. 1989, 26q3), 4 ~ 5 1 . Talk X17: immunolherapy: Approaches l o Treatment Chemistry1977, 545). 11-15. Am. Sci. 1976, 844). 418-423. Science 1981,212 1128-H29. Sci. Am. 1988, 2542). 68-75. Talk 818: immunolherapy: The Role ofKiller Cells Chem. Eng. News 1980, 5838). 18-22. Science 1980,210,624-626. Science 1981, 214. 24-29. Nature 1982, 298, 511. Nature 1982, 300, 214-215. ScisnCe 1988,231, 1367-1369. Sci. Am. 1988. 2581). 38-44.
Cancer Semlnar Syllabua Continued Talk #19: Monoclonal AntibDdies Science 1982, 216, 283-265. Science 1983,222,423-426. Chem. Eng. News 1984,635). 26. Sci Am. 1984. 251(1). 56-64. Science 1988,232.727-732. Chem Eng. News 1989, 67(50). 5-6. Talk #20: Biological Response Modifiers Scisnce 1970,204, 1183-1 186. Science 1979,204, 1293-1295. Science 1981,212 141-142. Nature 1982, 299. 778. Sciencs--83 1983, 36). 42-48. Chem. Eng News 1985,63(24), 10-16. Science 1985, 230.630-632. Cham. Eng. News 1987. 6815). 7-6. Discovw 1987, N9). 66-74. Sci. Am. 1988, 2 5 W , 59-75. Talk #PI: Cell GrowthIDifferentiatianand their Possible Role in me Reversal of
Malignancy Sci. Am. 1988,254(1), 40-47. sci. ~ i p 1988, ~ t sqe). 77. Science 1987,236.776-779.
Talk 622: Cancer Prewndonend Treatment via Diet Passwater. R. A. Cancer and Its Nutritional Therapies; Keab: New Canaan. CN. 1976.
Passwater, R. A. Seleniumas FoodandMedicine: Keab: New Canaan. CN. 1960.
Cameron, E.; Pauling, L. Cancerand Vitamin C; Warner: New York, 1961. Prasad. K. N. Vitamins Against Cancer-Fact 6: Fiction; Nutrition: Denver, 1984. Chem. Eng. News 1977,5823). 31. Science 1982,217,36-37. ConsumerReports1983,4%5), 243-245. Am. Lab. 1983, 1x2). 66-72. Discovet 1984.86). 23-26.
Sci. Digest 1988, 94(4), 26. sci. Am. 1987,257(5). 42-48. Chem Eng. News 1989, 67(17). 35-36.
Talk #23: Psychophysialogical Aspects of Cancer Prevention &Treatment LeShan. L. You Can Fight fw Your Life: Evans: New York. 1990. Science 1978,200, 1363-1369. Sci. Digest 1979, 886). 62-70. Sci. Digest 1981,89(3). 59-111. Discover 1982, 3(5), 80-85. Sci. Digest 1984, 934). 47-100. Science 1985,227. 1190-1192. Sci. Digest 1988, 933). 63-65. Discover 1987, @2),51-61. UnH Four: Deleulon and Rsgulatlon of Carclnogenlc Agents
Talk P4:Testing for Carcinogens Chem. Eng News 1977, 5x50). 34-46. Science 1979,204,587-593. Sci. Am. 1979, 241(2). 40-49. Science 1974, 164, 147-148. Science 1977, 197.543-545. Chem. Eng. News 1976, 5q39). 25-26. SciOuest 1981, 539). 11-15. Chem. Eng. News 1984, 6338). 32-33. Science 1987,237,363-364. Science 1989,244,656655, Talk X25: The W n e y Chuse, Animal Testing end Human Healm Chem. Eng. News 1977. 5826). 24-46. Science 1978,202,37-41. Environment 1979,21(3), 6-13. Envhonment 1979,21(7), 25-32. Science 1980.208.256-261.
The Beckman Center for the History of Chemistry Workshop on the History of Chemistry The Beekman Center for the History of Chemistry, located on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphie, plans toconducta one-week workshop, July 21-26,1991, for high school chemistry teachers on the History of Chemistry, with emphasis on the historical background of subjects normally taught in a high school course. The workshop will consist of readings and lecturers on selected topics in the history of chemistry, small group projects on historical ssoects of the chemical sciences. and individual nroiects. Particinants will work toeether to d e v e l o ~wavs of usine the hi>o& material in their classrooms. The nlrkvhop will helcd hc Willism B. ~ c n s c nRalph ; ~ r l u a r d ' ~ e o ~ e r ~ n , fof cs~or rhemrcsl Education and Hiatury of Chemistry at the Ilniversiry of Cincinnati. Partiripant expenses, rn~ludingtravel and lodging, will he paid, and a stipend will he provided. Academic year support for individual projects will he available on a competitive basis. Fifteen teachers will be chosen by a review committee to attend the workshop. To qualify, applicants must be high school chemistry teachers who have taught for a t least three years and are assured of a teaching position in chemistry for 1991-92. Application forms may he requested until December 31,1990, by writing: Chemistry Workshop, Beckman Center for the History of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 3401 Walnut Street, Room 460B,Philadelphia, PA 19104-6228. Note: This is a preliminary announcement pending confirmation of funding. If funding is not obtained, applicants will he notified immediately.
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Volume 67
Number 12
December 1990
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