Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module BIOL3221: MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL3221: MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to C100
Tied to C101
Tied to C130
Tied to C132
Tied to C300
Tied to C301
Tied to C701
Tied to CC77

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide an in depth knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying inherited and acquired disease processes and to instruct on the rational design of novel therapies.

Content

  • The human genome and genetic diseases.
  • Mapping human genes.
  • Aneuploidy.
  • Sex-chromosome aneuploids.
  • Prenatal diagnosis of genetic disease.
  • Autosomal recessive disorders, Autosomal dominant disorders.
  • Sex-linked disorders.
  • Haemoglobinopathies.
  • Molecular Basis of Cancer: The origins of cancer.
  • Angiogenesis.
  • Metastasis.
  • Oncogenes and signal transduction pathways.
  • Cancer and the cell cycle.
  • Cancer therapy I: drugs therapy II: Keratin mutations and skin blistering disorders.
  • Lessons from keratin knockout mice.
  • Desmin myopathies.
  • The function of intermediate filament inclusions - hepato-biliary sclerosis.
  • Cataract and the role of small heat shock proteins.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module each student should be able to: Understand how inheritance of mutated genes leads to pathology either in childhood or in later life.
  • Understand how the life style of an individual or his/her environment can give rise to genetic or physiological change within the adult soma that results in life threatening diseases.
  • Understand how rational design of novel therapies can arise from knowledge of the molecular basis of disease.
  • Explain the basis of genetic tests that identify individuals who are pre-disposed to disease and appreciate the social consequences of those tests.
Subject-specific Skills:
Key Skills:
  • Extract, compile and review relevant scientific information from various sources and evaluate them critically.
  • Acquire, interpret and critically analyse experimental and clinical and present the results effectively.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Taught Component: Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through the means of lectures and seminars.
  • Additionally the students will be expected to individually consider in depth a case study.
  • Skills will be acquired through the searching, retrieval and presentation of data.
  • Knowledge will be formatively assessed through the use of MCQs and a written examination.
  • Recovery and interpretation of data will be assessed by means of a written report from the case study and a poster presentation.
  • Understanding will be assessed by means of a written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 23 1 or 2 per week 1 hour 23
Tutorials 1 1 hour 1
Seminars 2 1 hour 2
Other (Poster) 6 6 hours 36
Preparation and Reading 145
Total

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Formal Examination 100%
Component: Poster Presentation Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Poster Presentation 100%
Component: Research Report Component Weighting: 10%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Research report produced from a research question posed in the taught component. 100%

Formative Assessment:

MCQs to assess knowledge.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University