IDIS 211

Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Examination of a Complex Disease

Current reports indicate that cancer affects one out of every three Americans. As such, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer patients has become a priority for scientists, public health officials, and health care providers. However, cancer is complex, as is our current medical system. Providing high-quality, effective, affordable, and equitable care for cancer patients will require collaboration among those with varied expertise. In this course, students use a multidisciplinary approach to study cancer drawing on insights from cell biology, genetics, public health, sociology, economics, ethics and others. Discussions with health care professionals and scientists, and visits to health care facilities and research centers highlight the value of collaborative bench to bedside treatment strategies. Meetings with cancer patients and survivors provide insights into current successes and challenges in patient care. A final project challenges students to develop a multidisciplinary strategy for improving cancer care. This graded course is intended for Honors students from all disciplines. Individuals completing the course receive honors credit. Pre-course reading and attendance at one meeting in December are required

Units: 3.0