University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USSJ6M-10-M Title: CURRENT ISSUES IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH Version: 4

Level: M UWE credit rating: 10 ECTS credit rating: 5

Module type: STANDARD

Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field: Natural & Life Sciences

Valid from: September 2003 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites: NONE

Co-requisites: NONE

Excluded combinations: NONE

Learning outcomes:

      • critically appraise current literature on the nature of disease processes in terms of molecular, biochemical, immunological, microbiological and pharmacological interactions

      • discuss critically the role of research in furthering knowledge and understanding of physiology pathophysiology, and treatment of a variety of conditions

      • demonstrate an independent learning style which will be of value well beyond the confines of this award.

      • to develop further skills in written and oral communication relevant to biology of disease

      • utilise electronic information sources effectively as learning aids.

Sylllabus Outline

    The topics selected in this module will reflect current advances and concerns in biomedical sciences and will provide sufficient knowledge to understand and review the current scientific literature in this field. The following is an indicative, but not exhaustive list of the type of topics available for selection as appropirate to the award.

    Advances in gene therapy. Cellular immunotherapy, progress and applications. Xenotransplantation, progress and ethical issues. The use of invitro models to study disease processes. Biological Warfare – implications and detection. Liposomal drug therapies.

    Free radicals in health and disease. Biochemical principles underlying chemotherapy and drug resistance. Genetic basis of diseases such as the thalassaemias, Tay-Sachs disease and Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Sicklecell disease physiological and pathological functions of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX). The effects of chemotherapy at the genetic level. Biosensors - their development and use. Current concepts in oncogenes and oncogenesis. The role of growth factors in haemopoiesis and malignant growth.

Teaching and learning methods:

    This module adopts a student-centered approach which encourages and facilitates the adoption of an independent, self-directed learning style. It will be delivered as a series of key note lectures and tutorials at UWE, Bristol. Each lecture or tutorial will include explicit Aims and Learning Outcomes, explanation of Key Concepts, a guide to sources of both paper-based and electronic information. Lectures/tutorials will be delivered by experts in each particular topic. Communication between students and academics staff will be fostered using online facilities and a bulletin board.

Reading Strategy

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

    • Cell signalling (1997) John T.Hancock (Harlow:Langmau 1997)

    • Goldsby, Kindt and Osborne (2000) Kuby Immunology 4th edition: Freeman

    • Mera, SL (1997) Understanding Disease: Stanley Thorne

    • Cox, TM & Sinclair, J (1998) Molecular Biology in Medicine: Blackwell Science

    • Pallister, CJ (1997) Blood: Butterworth Heinemann

    • The Cell, a molecular approach (2000) Cooper GM. 2nd ed (Sunderland, Mass 2000)

    • Haemoposetic stem cell therapy (2000) Ball ED (Churchill Livingstone 2000)

    • Post graduate Haematology (1999) Hoffbrand & Lewis (Heinemann)

    • Essential Haematology (2001) Peffit, Moss & Hoffbrand. 4th ED (Blackwell)

Internet sites:

American Association of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

http://www.aaaai.org

Immunology pages

http://www.path.cam.ac.uk/~mrc7/mikeimages.html

Cell Signalling

www.bio.ic.ac.uk/research/field/cell-signalling.htlm

Sickle Cell Disease

www.Sicklecellsociety.org

Leukaemia

Leukaemia-research.org

www.leukaemia.demon.uk

General

http://healthlinks.washington.edu

http://www.bentham.org

Journals:

Immunology Today Leukaemia, British J.Haematology

Trends in Biochemical Sciences Proceedings of National Academy of Science

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences

Blood, Stem Cell, Immunotherapy Weekly

    And relevant Journals on Biological and Biomedical Sciences (From Bolland Library, UWE, Bristol)

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A Element weighting

OP1

Oral seminar

1

     
     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

WA1

Research Critique

1

   

     
 

 

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) No

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

WR1

Written version of Oral Presentation

1

     
     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

WA1

Research Critique

1

     
     
 

 

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. Yes

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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