Core Module Information
Module title: Toxicology and Pathology [Hong Kong]

SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: BMS11605
Module leader: Samantha Donnellan
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Life Sciences
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Description of module content:

A central theme running throughout the module will be toxicology: how xenobiotics can be causes or treatments in diseases. The basic principles of toxicokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) and toxicodynamics (adverse effects in the body) will be explored in relation to named environmental pollutants, occupational hazards, and pharmaceutical agents. The module will introduce students to the concepts of health and illness, classification of diseases, cell adaptation to disease, inflammation, cell injury/death, and neoplasia. The development of disease will be examined, together with the principles of disease pathogenesis, investigation and treatment. Case studies of conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, COPD and heart failure, will consolidate the related themes of the module.This module is designed to integrate learning from the different laboratory based biomedical disciplines. You are therefore not expected to learn medical details of all diseases, rather to gain an understanding of a range of disease processes and how these result in measurable outcomes.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Critically appraise the relationship between absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of major drugs and toxicants.

LO2: Evaluate the importance and role of dose-response relationships in toxicology and compare the actual risk of a toxicant with the perception of risk, and evaluate associated risk and hazard.

LO3: Discriminate pathological processes occurring at molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and system level, including adverse effects of toxicants and ionising radiation.

LO4: Critically analyse case studies integrating results of patient investigations and laboratory findings.

LO5: Critically assess the investigative and therapeutic approaches applied to the diseases discussed.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 1, Blended,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 002
Primary mode of delivery: Blended
Location of delivery: HONG KONG
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Samantha Donnellan
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 15 Our weekly seminars/lectures, delivered by local HK tutors and subject-expert guest speakers will be lecturer-facilitated and will allow you to explore and apply knowledge introduced during the guided independent study to consolidate your knowledge and understanding.
Face To Face Tutorial 15 A group tutorial will be offered focussed on lecture material. This is your opportunity to ask specific questions on the course content.
Online Guided independent study 170 Each week reading materials and resources will be issued on Moodle (these will also be shared via the Module Leganto list at the beginning of the module should you wish more time to engage with the materials). You are expected to read and reflect on the essential reading material which can be discussed during the seminar sessions.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Report 15 1~2 Week 6 , WORDS= 3-5 Questions You will be provided with a small article/report focused around toxicokinetics. You will be asked Questions (worth 15%) on this report.
Report 25 3~4~5 Week 11 , WORDS= 1000 words These short answer questions (worth 25%) are designed to test your understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Your answers should only address the specific questions asked in each section.
Report 60 1~2~3~4~5 Week 12 , WORDS= 2000 words You are provided with 3 comprehensive articles describing recent developments of targeted therapies for cancer treatment. You will write a review of 2,000 words (worth 60%), with references, summarising the main points.
Component 1 subtotal: 40
Component 2 subtotal: 60
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
BMS11605 Toxicology and Pathology [Hong Kong]