Modules

Module title: Molecular Medicine
SCQF level: 09:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: BMS09110
Module leader: Amy Poole
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Biomedical Science
Prerequisites

Appropriate background knowledge at level 8 of genetics and level 7 of cell biology.
2020/1, Trimester 2, FACE-TO-FACE,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Amy Poole
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
Lectures and tutorials cover LOs 1-3. Lectures will be interactive, containing data handling and interpretation exercises to reinforce students’ knowledge and understanding of the topic. Questioning and discussion are encouraged during face-to-face teaching in both lectures and tutorials. Students will be provided with reading prior to each lecture as preparation.

Considerable online resources (via Moodle) are used to support teaching and reinforce learning. Students will be able to access a large repository of useful and relevant information to consolidate their learning and gauge their progress through the module.

A series of practical laboratory sessions will complement the lecture material and will enable students to become proficient in a range of new skills, as well as increase their confidence in the laboratory environment. In addition to practical training and teamwork, students will be taught to accurately record, interpret and present laboratory findings at an appropriate scientific level (LOs 4 and 5).

Interactive online learning, followed by a dedicated computer-based tutorial session will teach students all the necessary skills in order to complete the bioinformatics coursework assessment (LO 3). Students will be encouraged to undertake extensive independent study through directed reading materials available on Moodle.
Formative Assessment:
Tutorials will include elements of formative assessment, including, critical thinking, problem solving and experimental design. Online resources on Moodle will contain interactive activities such as quizzes, which provide formative feedback to enable students to gauge their progress throughout the module and reinforce their learning. A feedforward session will be scheduled, two weeks before submission of the lab-based report, which will enable students to receive individual feedback on a draft version on their report.

Summative Assessment:
There are two summative assessments in this module. Summative assessments are in the form of a series of online bioinformatics-based tasks in which they will fully analyse genomic and proteomic sequence data (LO 1 and 3).
The second assessment, students will present of fully analysed data within a report (2000 words) generated by the students during the laboratory classes (LOs 1, 2, 4 and 5).
Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 20
Face To Face Tutorial 12
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 17
Online Guided independent study 10
Independent Learning Guided independent study 141
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Class Test 50 1 & 3 7 HOURS= 2, WORDS= 0
Report 50 1,2,4 & 5 12 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 2000
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

Following the sequencing of the human genome, molecular medicine has now become a rapidly advancing field where diseases are studied at the molecular level. In this module, you will learn the advanced principles of genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics in the context of furthering our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the diagnosis and treatment of disease. You will explore the concepts of pharmacogenomics and predictive medicine and study techniques involving manipulation and measurement of DNA, RNA and proteins.

You will also be introduced to in silico analysis and manipulation of RNA, DNA and protein sequence information (bioinformatics) and tutored in the use of online databases and tools for identification and comparison of DNA and protein sequences. Bioinformatics will form the basis of one of the summative assessments. You will take part in a series of laboratory sessions based on molecular cloning.

Through a series of lectures and tutorials, you will study the current developments that are taking place in molecular medicine and appreciate the application of techniques to areas of interest in biomedical sciences, microbiology and biotechnology. A series of practical laboratory sessions will help you gain experience in commonly employed practical techniques relating to the lecture material and will further hone your data analysis and presentation skills.
Learning Outcomes for module:

LO1: Apply knowledge of a range of ‘omics’ technologies and their applications in the field of molecular medicine.
LO2: Illustrate an understanding of how to interpret data from a wide range of techniques including; genome-wide association studies, quantitative (q) PCR, epigenetic, RNA interference and protein analysis studies.
LO3: Draw on a range of bioinformatics skills and apply in-depth knowledge to analyse genomic and proteomic sequence data.
LO4: Develop analytical and experimental laboratory skills through the genetic manipulation of microorganisms
LO5: Accurately analyse, interpret and evaluate experimentally derived data and demonstrate accurate scientific record keeping and writing skills through laboratory reports
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader
 

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