Hoping to dispel some of the mysteries associated with the disease, Cal State Northridge biology professor Steve Oppenheimer invites the public to sit in for free on one of his classes this fall, "Biology of Cancer."

"Cancer information is critically important to the community. Yet many, many people don't understand the disease," said Oppenheimer, director of CSUN's Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology. "One in three people are affected by cancer, and people feel that once you get cancer it's all over. That's totally untrue. This course will really help people understand the disease and give them information on how to deal with it."

"Biology of Cancer" is a lower level biology course offered as a general education class to non-biology majors. It will be offered this fall semester from 6 to 7:40 p.m. on Mondays in Science Building 2, Room 2132. The fall semester starts Monday, Aug. 25.

"We don't usually open up classes to the general public. But we in the biology department, in the Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology and in the College of Science and Math really felt that the information in the class was so important that we should share it with the public," Oppenheimer said.

He said priority seating for the class would be given to students who are taking the class for academic credit.

The course will cover the causes of cancer and the cellular structure of cancer as well as how cancer spreads and cancer prevention. Guest presenters will focus on breast and skin cancer and cancer quackery.

"I think universities have an obligation to reach out to the community as much as possible with respect to issues that are really critical for the health and well-being of the community," Oppenheimer said. "When it comes to the issue of cancer, we're trying to do that."

For more information about the course, call Oppenheimer at (818) 677-3336.

CSUN's College of Science and Mathematics is home to several nationally recognized programs where students gain valuable experience through hands-on work using the latest technologies and equipment. Students also have an opportunity to co-author publications with faculty members, present their research results at national and international meetings, and prepare for teaching careers.