Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module BISS3152: MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE (MOLECULAR MEDICINE)

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BISS3152: MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE (MOLECULAR MEDICINE)

Type	Tied	Level	3	Credits	40	Availability	Available in 2005/06	Module Cap	None.	Location	Queen's Campus Stockton

Tied to

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combination of Modules

None

Aims

To develop the students' understanding of molecular biology and its role in disease discovery, diagnosis and treatment.

Content

Recombinant DNA - restriction and modification enzymes.
Cloning vectors.
cDNA and genomic libraries.
Expression and detection of cloned sequences.
Restriction mapping.
Cloning in eukaryotic cells and expression of reecombinant proteins.
PCR technology and diagnostics.
Gene therapy.
Ethical and safety issues.
Molecular basis of inherited human disorders.
The Human Genome Project.
Stem cell biology and application to human disease.
Cell and molecular basis of neoplasia.
Cell and molecular biology of epithelia.
Genetic disease and embryogenesis.
X-linked inherited disease.
Biological basis of neurological disease.
Metabolism and the metabolic basis of disease.
Physiological basis of systemic dysfunction.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

At the end of this module, students should should be able to: demonstrate an ability to bring together information from different disciplines and discuss the basis of disease as an integrated whole
manipulate and characterise cloned DNA
describe clinical uses of molecular biology
describe the molecular basis of selected inherited disorders;

Subject-specific Skills:

Key Skills:

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

Lectures provide a framework for knowledge and understanding of topics in the cell and molecular biology of disease.
Laboratory Sessions reinforce the subject-specific knowledge covered in lectures and provide practical example of the strength and limitations of techniques in molecular biology.
Essays assess key communication skills but also are used to examine a students understanding of the scientific process.
Unseen examination reviews the students learning of the subject specific knowledge covered in this module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	88		1 hour	88
Laboratory sessions	4		3 hour	12
Preparation and Reading				300
Total				400

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 90%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
1 x 2 hour examination	2 hours	38%
1 x 3 hour examination	3 hours	62%
Component: Continuous assessment		Component Weighting: 10%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
1 x essay		100%

Formative Assessment:

Practical reports help inform subject specific knowledge and support key skill development of data acquisition and analysis.

■ 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