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BIOL3621: BIOLOGY OF DISEASE

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Biosciences

Prerequisites

  • Any one of Level 2 Microbiology BIOL2431, Level 2 Biochemistry BIOL2491 or Level 2 Immune Systems BIOL2421.

Corequisites

  • At least one other Level 3 Biological Sciences Module selected from the following list: Advanced Topics in Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour BIOL3561, Conservation Biology BIOL3551, Ecology in the Anthropocine BIOL3541, Advanced Topics in 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 BIOL3591, Advanced Cell Biology BIOL3481, Genomics BIOL3651.

Excluded Combinations 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

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures24Weekly2 hours p/w24 
Workshops2Termly2 hour2Yes
Preparation & Reading174 
Total 200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Unseen formal examination 2 hours100No

Formative Assessment

2 formative examination exercises of 1 hr each.

More information

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