Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (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)

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 3 40 Available in 2006/2007 None. Queen's Campus Stockton

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations

  • 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

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 88 1 hour 88
Laboratory sessions 4 3 hour 12
Preparation and Reading 300
Total 400

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Examination 90% 1 x 2 hour examination 2 hours 38%
1 x 3 hour examination 3 hours 62%
Continuous assessment 10% 1 x essay 100%

Formative Assessment

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


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.