Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)

Module BIOL3621: BIOLOGY OF DISEASE

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

BIOL3621: BIOLOGY OF DISEASE

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2015/16 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to B940; B941; B942.

Prerequisites

  • • None

Corequisites

  • • At least one other Level 3 Biological Sciences Module selected from the following list: Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology BIOL3561, Conservation Biology BIOL3551, Global Change Biology BIOL3541, Genes and Development BIOL3521, Stress and Responses to the Environment BIOL3491, Crops for the Future BIOL3611, Biochemistry and Biotechnology BIOL3601, Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering BIOL3531, Ageing and Age-Related Diseases BIOL3591, Cell Architecture BIOL3481.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • • None

Aims

  • To develop knowledge and understanding of the biology of disease in man.
  • To integrate knowledge and skills to address the nature of selected diseases.

Content

  • Advanced study in depth of selected diseases, such as: cancer, endocrine system disease, neurological disorders, genetic disease, systemic disease, degenerative disease, infectious diseases.
  • Study of medical interventions which can cure or ameliorate diseases, such as regenerative medicine, cancer treatments, drug treatments, gene-based therapies.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of selected diseases, including their symptoms, causative agents and molecular and cellular bases.
  • Knowledge of potential medical interventions which can cure or ameliorate selected diseases.
  • Knowledge of disease processes in general.
  • Knowledge of drug therapies and drug resistance.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • To be able to integrate knowledge from different disciplines studied in biomedical sciences and discuss disease processes.
  • To be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology and investigation of selected human diseases.
  • To be able to critically evaluate and discuss experimental data pertaining to disease processes.
Key Skills:
  • Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line archives.
  • Data analysis, in interpretation and critical analysis of data relevant to cell architecture.
  • Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

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

  • Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
  • Workshops support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
  • Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
  • Reports / Data Handling Exercises are based on subject-specific knowledge.
  • Unseen examinations demonstrate achievement of the appropriate level of subject-specific knowledge of development, with an emphasis on understanding and communication (essay and problem-based questions).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 35 Weekly 2 hours p/w 35
Workshops 2 Termly 2 hour 2
Preparation & Reading 163
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 80%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Unseen formal examination 3 hours 100% No
Component: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Analytical exercise 100% No

Formative Assessment:

Workshop.


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