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Study information

Disease, Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Module titleDisease, Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Module codeCSC2012
Academic year2021/2
Credits30
Module staff

Professor Clare Gallon (Convenor)

Dr Alex Clarke (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

12

11

0

Number students taking module (anticipated)

270

Module description

This module examines current knowledge of key pathophysiological mechanisms that underpin human disease, alongside key techniques used in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. Small group learning and structured supporting sessions are used to provide scientific ‘trigger’ scenarios that introduce key transferable concepts within the setting of illustrative important diseases. In this module we support and encourage you to develop personal skills such as questioning, problem-solving, explaining and communication in addition to the development of your scientific knowledge.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module promotes an integrated understanding of core human pathophysiological concepts and healthcare technologies and laboratory tests, using illustrative diseases. The module also explores key examples of where science has been translated successfully into clinical practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Explain selected core integrated biomolecular and biomedical science principles underpinning human health and illustrative diseases.
  • 2. Outline the key scientific principles underpinning the prevention, diagnosis and management of important diseases..
  • 3. Identify the key principles and challenges for healthcare planning and delivery, including the development and implementation of new health technologies.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. Explain key concepts of physiological and pathophysiological processes in health and disease
  • 5. With limited guidance, apply skills of critical thinking, problem-formulation and problem-solving to clinical science practice

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 6. With limited guidance, apply skills of critical thinking, problem-formulation and problem-solving to clinical science practice.
  • 7. With limited guidance, manage time, workload, ambiguity, change and stress effectively
  • 8. Effectively communicate and discuss scientific principles, using visual aids where appropriate.
  • 9. With limited guidance, demonstrate professional competence in communicating effectively with fellow scientists.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

The module provides learning opportunities around key medical science concepts, using important human disease triggers. Teaching involves Structured Small Group Learning and structured workshops/tutorials, to demonstrate key scientific principles using physical and electronic resources. The scientific basis of associated healthcare technologies employed in the prevention, diagnosis and management of illustrative diseases will also be explored.

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, a list of the main topics is as follows:

 

Autonomic nervous system

Somatic nervous system 

Muscle contraction mechanism and signalling (smooth, cardiac, skeletal)

Second messenger signalling (e.g. HIF, NF-kappa B, tyrosine kinase receptors, Hedgehog signalling, PI3K/AKT, Wnt, GPCR)

Acid-base balance

Atherosclerosis

Lab techniques (PCR, WB, IHC, ELISA)

Sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests 

Inherited heart disease

Action potentials

Bacterial infections

Immune response (activation and propagation)

Vaccines 

Anti-Inflammatory medications

Cell cycle regulation and checkpoint control

Glucose handling in the body

Recombinant protein production

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid axis

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system 

Blood pressure regulation

Haemostasis

Skin disorders 

Immune tolerance and autoimmunity 

Layers of the skin

Protein degradation

Cell Death

Senescence

Nociception 

Central nervous system neurotransmission (monoamine and amino acid)

Nervous system disorders and clinical intervention

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
512490

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities32Expert-facilitated, structured small group learning sessions delivered synchronously using online video conferencing on MS Teams. If possible, each group will also have at least one, in person, SSGL session timetabled.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities2Module induction and e-resource coursework introduction sessions online via MS Teams/Zoom. Supported by pre-recorded videos and asynchronous Q&A by online discussion forum.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities6Disease specific workshops via MS Teams/Zoom if on-campus delivery is not possible. Supported by asynchronous Q&A by discussion board.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities11Active application sessions delivered as online worksheets, followed by a Q&A workshop via Teams/Zoom if on-campus delivery is not possible, supported by asynchronous Q&A and topic requests on discussion forum.
Guided independent study249Session preparation, self-directed learning using on-line resources and videos accessed on the module web site, e-resource and team portfolio creation & peer marking, online discussion forum contribution, revision

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Online MCQ Knowledge Tests160 questions1-2,6-7Online
E-resourse assessment1 group submission (max 6 PowerPoint slides each)1-5, 7Written (Tutor)
Example SAQ2 questions1-5, 8, 9Online

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
45550

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
SAQ Examination553 hour1-8Written (on request)
e-resources352 x submissions (max. 6 PowerPoint slides equivalent each). Peer marking engagement with 4 individual e-resources (individual activity) (2 feedback comments per e-resource) submitted on time1-9Written (Tutor & Peer)
e-resource and concept map portfolio102 x group submissions (1 portfolio per term comprising a group concept map and associated e-resources for each of 5 triggers per term). Group peer marking of 2 group portfolios (minimum 2 feedback comments per portfolio) 1-9Written (Peer Group)
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
SAQ Examination (55%), 3 hoursSAQ Examination 3 hours. See note below.1-8Referral/deferral period
e-resources 35%Resubmission of failed e-resources with improvements in light of feedback (max 6 slides each)1-9Referral/deferral period
e-resource and concept map portfolio 10%Individual assessment of 1 group portfolio1-9Referral/deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Please also refer to the TQA section on general Referral/Deferral guidelines: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

If you have been referred in the module because of the failure in the in-course e-resource, you will need to re-submit the e-resource element(s) that achieved less than 40% on first submission, during the referral/deferral period.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

The recommended texts, e-resources and other supporting resources for the module are posted on electronic learning environment

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=9083

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

An up to date reading list of specific texts will be provided on the module web page.

Key words search

Pathology, disease, human function, hormonal regulation, neuronal regulation, cell signalling, diagnostic testing, laboratory techniques

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

CSC1005 Integrated Human Physiology 

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

5

Available as distance learning?

Yes

Origin date

24/05/2016

Last revision date

18/05/2021