Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module BISS3212: BIOLOGY OF DISEASE

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Biomedical Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BISS3212: BIOLOGY OF DISEASE

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to B940

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop knowledge and understanding of the biology of disease in man.
  • To integrate knowledge and skills acquired in other parts of the course.

Content

  • Cancer.
  • Endocrine system disease.
  • Neurological disorders.
  • Genetic disease.
  • Physiological basis of systemic disease.
  • Degenerative disease and regenerative medicine.
  • Diseases of the cytoskeleton.

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:
  • At the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology and investigation of selected human diseases.
  • Critical assessment of research paper.
Key Skills:
  • Students should be able to present information in a variety of ways to critically discuss aspects of disease process.

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

  • Lectures provide a solid foundation for knowledge and understanding, both practical and theoretical, and form a framework for students’ self-directed learning.
  • Workshops serve to encourage communication skills, team work and opportunities to extend subject specific knowledge.
  • Case studies are a powerful tool to work through biomedical problems from first principles to disease outcome, and as such explore both subject specific knowledge and skills in terms of critical analysis and data compilation, as well as key skills of problem solving and communication.
  • Unseen examinations are a test of the range depth and sophistication of the students knowledge and understanding of the material in a module. They also test key skills in ability to present arguments and communicate them effectively in a concise written form.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 31 1-3 weekly 3 hours 93
Practicals 3 3-4 hours 12
Workshops/CAL 3 3 hours 9
Preparation & reading 286
Total 400

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 67%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Unseen formal examination paper 1 3 hours 50%
Unseen formal examination paper 2 3 hours 50%
Component: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 33%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Case Study 30%
Scientific article exercise 30%
Extended essay 30%
Critical assessment of research paper 10%

Formative Assessment:

None


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