Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module BIOL3401: MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE (LIT)

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL3401: MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE (LIT)

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2006/07 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to CFG0

Prerequisites

  • Molecular Biology (BIOL2201).

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.
  • To conduct a supervised investigation of an area within Biological Sciences where knowledge obtained by literature search is important.

Content

  • The human genome and genetic diseases
  • Mapping human genes
  • Aneuploidy
  • Sex-chromosome aneuploids
  • Prenatal diagnosis of genetic disease
  • Haemoglobinopathies
  • Laminopathies as examples of autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant and x-linked disorders
  • Molecular Basis of Cancer: The origins of cancer
  • Cancer and the cell cycle
  • Environmental risks of cancer
  • Oncogenes and signal transduction pathways
  • Tumor suppressor genes
  • Colerectal cancer
  • Angiogenesis
  • Metastasis
  • Melanoma

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students should be able to: Understand how inheritance of muted 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 of physiological change within the adult soma that results in life threatening diseases.
  • explain the basis of genetic tests that identify individuals who are pre-disposed to disease and appreciate the social consequences of those tests.
  • understand how rational design of novel therapies can arise from knowledge of the molecular basis of disease.
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 data and present the results effectively.

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

    • MCQs are appropriate as a revision aid and to demonstrate knowledge acquisition.
    • The written report will show the communication skills learnt as well as the ability to interpret.
    • The integration of these skills will be assessed in the written examination.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 23 1-2/week 1 hour 23
    Tutorials 1 1 hour 1
    Seminars 2 1 hour 2
    Literature Search 6 6 hours 36
    Preparation and Reading 138
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    2-hour formal examination 100%
    Component: Report Component Weighting: 40%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    literature search report 100%
    Component: Report Component Weighting: 10%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    research report 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    MCQ.


    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