Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module BISS3133: BIOLOGY OF DISEASE WITH PROJECT

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

BISS3133: BIOLOGY OF DISEASE WITH PROJECT

Type	Tied	Level	3	Credits	60	Availability	Available in 2006/07	Module Cap	None.	Location	Queen's Campus Stockton

Tied to	B940
Tied to	B941

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

Biology of Disease with Laboratory Project.

Aims

To develop knowledge and understanding of the biology of disease in man.
to appreciate the importance of the research process in the furthering of our knowledge of the biology of disease.
to study a chosen topic of Biomedical Sciences in depth.
to identify areas of this topic that could be the subject of further work.
to work Independently.
to integrate knowledge and skills acquired in other parts of the course.
to communicate a written account of research work done in a logical and concise manner.
to identify areas of weakness in current biomedical science research.

Content

The formal taught component of this module is divided into six themes relating to emerging areas of biomedical sciences.
Biology of Stem cells and their potential therapeutic benefits.
developmental neurobiology and neurological disorders.
oncology and advanced biomedical cell biology.
genetic disorders and inherited disease.
metabolism and metabolic basis of disease.
and physiological basis of systemic dysfunction.
The project is supported by sessions on research skills and by tutorials with the research supervisor.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

At the end of the module students should be able to integrate knowledge from different disciplines studied in Biomedical sciences and discuss disease processes.

Subject-specific Skills:

Students should be able to describe the fundamental tenets of a chosen research project.
Students should be able to undertake a literature search to place the project in context and describe current and emerging developments in this area.
Students should be able to identify areas within the topic that would benefit from further research and design an outline proposal for such research.

Key Skills:

Students should demonstrate self-motivation,.
Students should be able to critically assess scientific literature for strengths and weaknesses.
Students should be able to produce a clear and concise project report.

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

Lectures will provide the necessary information, critical insight, overview and study guide required by aims and learning outcomes.
Additional reading lists will be provided to allow students to extend the information provided in lectures.
Laboratory practicals will reinforce material from lectures and provide first-hand experience of quantitative techniques.
Two x three hour unseen written examinations (one of which will contain case-study type questions) and an essay will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the topics.
A laboratory report will enable students to demonstrate their ability to analyse and interpret data correctly and to present results appropriately.
The project will be assessed on the basis of the quality of the literature search, computer-based investigation or other non-laboratory based project, as submitted in a typed or word-processed dissertation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	85		1 Hour	85
Tutorials	6		1 Hour	6
Seminars	6		1 Hour	6
Practicals (CAL)	4		1 Hour	4
Project				126
Preparation and Reading				373
Total				600

Summative Assessment

Examinations 30% (three-hour unseen written examination 1 50%, three-hour unseen written examination 2 50%), Continuous Assessment 20% (essay of 4000 words 50%, assessment on scientific literature comprehension 50%), Dissertation 50% (dissertation based on project work, maximum 15000 words, typed or word-processed 100%). Submission date for dissertation will be the last day of the first teaching week of Easter term.

Formative Assessment:

There are no formal formative assessments

■ 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