Medical Genetics
| Module title | Medical Genetics |
|---|---|
| Module code | CSC2004 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Lorna Harries (Convenor) Dr Sawsan Khuri (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
|---|
Module description
Genetics influences both risk and outcome of disease. An understanding of how our genes are regulated, and how mutations, genetic variation or epigenetic alterations may contribute to this is of pivotal importance. Identification of mutations that affect gene activity may lead to treatment changes or provide biomarkers for monitoring disease progression; for example, risk of breast cancer is greatly increased by inheritance of a mutated BRCA1 gene, whereas identification of a mutation in patients with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) allows patients to transfer from insulin treatment onto tablets and allows genetic testing for at-risk family members.
This is a core module for students studying BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences (Human Genomics). You are required to have completed BIO1334 Genetics or BIO1341 Biochemistry and Genetics in order to take this module. It is an optional module for other students of BSc Medical Sciences and Biological Sciences.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to give you an insight into how and why genetics is important in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and allows you to understand the role of genetics in elucidating biological processes. You will focus first on the basics of how genetic material is replicated and curated. Secondly, you will learn how sequence changes can lead to genetic disease, or to susceptibility to complex diseases. Following this, you will concentrate on the molecular mechanisms by which genes are regulated and the contribution of the environment, and finally you will explore some of the ethical issues that surround modern medicine in the genomic era. The module will link with clinical practice and research strengths at CMH to build on fundamental molecular biology knowledge in order to understand inheritance patterns, genetic risk and non-inherited genetic disease and provide a holistic view of medical genetics from the science, clinical and patient perspectives.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Describe in some detail and discuss the cellular and molecular basis of inheritance
- 2. Explain the differences between acquired, monogenic, polygenic and epigenetic disease
- 3. Explain the different mechanisms by which genes are regulated in humans
- 4. Discuss the contribution of genetics and environment to disease processes in humans
- 5. Show awareness of, and discuss the ethical issues in modern genetics
- 6. Discuss with examples the importance of interaction between patients, scientists and clinicians
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Demonstrate knowledge in Molecular and Clinical Genetics by written and verbal means
- 8. Describe essential facts and theory in depth for a sub-discipline of medical sciences
- 9. Critically appraise molecular, cellular and ethical aspects of current research in human genomics by reference to the literature
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by written and verbal means to specialist and lay audience
- 11. Develop, with some guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with valid conclusions
- 12. Evaluate and properly manage information derived from the scientific literature, textbooks and the internet.
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 will cover the following topics with reference to the scientist, clinician and patient perspectives:
Topic 1: Cellular and molecular basis of inheritance (cell division, mutation, DNA replication and repair), Topic 2: Forms of inherited disease (acquired, imprinted, monogenic, polygenic and epigenetic),
Topic 3: Gene expression and regulation (transcription, mRNA processing, non-coding RNA regulation, epigenetics)
Topic 4: Complex disease and polygenic inheritance (polygenic inheritance, gene; environment interactions)
Topic 5: Genetic counselling and ethical issues in modern genetics.
Topics will be explored by expert-delivered lectures and interactive ‘Arena’ sessions (which involve facilitated interaction between students, scientists, clinicians and where possible, patients, in relation to each topic). You will work together in structured small group learning (SSGL) sessions (approximately 10 per group) where members of the group work actively and collaboratively from a trigger case for each topic to identify concepts for guided independent study. The trigger case will not be linked to the Arena case, but will share concepts. SSGL feedback will take the form of an interactive large group Q&A session using mobile polling techniques to highlight areas in need of further exploration, and include an introduction to tools and resources that reinforce the learnings and will be useful for working on the assessments. To consolidate knowledge you will select a specific aspect of particular interest to you from the topics overall, to study and present individually at the end of the module as part of your assessment.
In short, the lectures will give you the facts, the SSGLs give you an opportunity to explore those facts in more depth, the Arena allows you to see genetics in the clinic, and the feedback sessions provide an opportunity to check and consolidate your learnings, get some peer and facilitator feedback and gain context and resources that will be helpful with respect to the summative essay assessment.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 110 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 5 | Overview seminars to cover core concepts of each topic. |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 10 | Arena- style multidisciplinary and interactive sessions to allow Patient, Scientist and Clinicians perspective on each topic. |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 10 | Facilitated sessions to identify specific topics for advanced study. |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 10 | Interactive large group session to explore learning objectives arising from SSGL. |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 1 | Whole group seminar to consolidate knowledge from the entire module. |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 1 | 1 hour facilitated session to identify topics for individual further study. |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 3 | Presentation of individual study topics followed by questions. |
| Guided independent study | 90 | Guided independent study to research learning objectives. |
| Guided independent study | 10 | Research on topic of individual study. |
| Guided independent study | 10 | Exam preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facilitator and peer feedback on learnings | 10 minute verbal presentation followed by 5 minutes of questions | 1-12 | Verbal |
| Written summary of chosen case report | 500 words | 1-12 | Written, peer and facilitator feedback |
| Facilitator observation of interaction with patients, scientists and clinicians at Arena sessions | Facilitator observation | 6,10 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | 55 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement in SSGLs and feedback sessions | 10 | Attendance and contribution | 6-12 | Facilitator observation |
| Case report on an applied aspect of one of the topics covered | 45 | 1500 words | 1-12 | Written |
| Short Answer Question exam | 45 | 1 hour 15 minutes | 1-12 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement in SSGLs and feedback sessions (10%) | Written answers to three questions on each session missed | 6-12 | Ref/Def period |
| Case report on an applied aspect of one of the topics covered (45%) | Case report (1500 words) | 1-12 | Ref/Def period |
| SAQ exam (45%) | SAQ exam (1 hour 15 minutes) | 1-12 | Ref/Def period |
Re-assessment notes
Referred case reports are on the same topic.
Re-assessment of Engagement in SSGLs and feedback sessions will only be needed if a student misses 7 or more sessions, and will be through written answers of three questions on each session missed that will be set by the module leads and assessed by the facilitators.
Please also refer to the TQA section on general Referral/Deferral guidelines: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
‘Molecular Biology of the Gene’ by James D. Watson, Tania A. Baker, Stephen P. Bell, Alexander Gann, Michael Levine, Richard Losick (ISBN: 9780321762436).
‘Human Molecular Genetics’ by Tom Strachan, Andrew Read (ISBN: 9780815341840)
‘Emery’s elements of Medical Genetics’ by Turnpenny and Ellard (ISBN: 9780702029172)
‘Genetics and Genomics in Medicine’ by Tom Strachan, Judith Goodship and Patrick Chinnery (ISBN-13: 978-0815344803)
ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Cochrane reviews: http://www.cochrane.org/cochrane-reviews
Pubmed/MedLine: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Review articles and primary research publications
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | BIO2089 Molecular Biology of the Gene and BIO1334 Genetics. |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 19/08/2014 |
| Last revision date | 24/07/2019 |
