Unit information: Foundations in Biomedical Sciences in 2019/20

Unit name	Foundations in Biomedical Sciences
Unit code	MVSF00001
Credit points	20
Level of study	QCA-3
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Davies
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	IELTS minimum 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5 in writing and 4.5 in all other components or equivalent Students should have the appropriate qualifications in Science and Mathematics at the equivalent of QCA level 2
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Life Sciences Faculty Office
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will provide an introduction to selected topics in biomedical sciences. Through focussing on specific topics students will be introduced to skills required for scientific research, including data acquisition, handling and scientific reporting. The unit will have 4 themes, starting with an introduction to cell biology. Following this, 3 topics, for example antibiotic resistance, cardiovascular health and disease and synthetic biology, will be selected to highlight specific aspects of biomedical science. Each topic will include a key note seminar focussing on current research.

The aims of the unit are:

• To promote understanding of basic physiological, biochemical and disease mechanisms governing the function of mammalian body systems.
• To expose students to a range of activities thereby developing the attitudes and skills desirable for further study in Biomedical Sciences.
• To develop students’ capability in considering how to design and perform experiments
• To showcase current research in Biomedical Sciences

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of cell biology
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts underpinning major topics in biomedical sciences
3. Show ability to perform a range of practical techniques in biomedical sciences,
4. Collect, analyse and interpret data from experiments in biomedical sciences,
5. Demonstrate an understanding of scientific method in experimental design in biomedical sciences,
6. Communicate scientific principles and findings in biomedical sciences.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered in the format of seminars and practicals supported by tutorials. Teaching methods will be intentionally diverse to accommodate the different learning backgrounds of the students. Use of online and group activities, such as eBiolabs, problem classes and group workshops with academics/demonstrators give scope for students to work at their own pace with academic input. For example, students may be set reading to prepare for the seminar content. The seminars will then be interactive sessions focussing on particular aspects of the topics. Tutorials will primarily support skills associated with scientific writing and experimental work, such as experimental design, data acquisition, handling and reporting and will mainly be in the form of problem- based group sessions. Practical sessions will additionally be supported by online pre-reading, pre- and post-practical quizzes.

Assessment Information

Assessment Details

Assessment for learning (formative):

In course review quizzes (Turning point MCQ)

Short answer questions (Tutorial assignments)

Assessment of Learning (summative):

Practical reporting (including eBiolabs pre- and post-practical quizzes): 10%

1-hour multiple-choice progress examination to assess only material covered in the first teaching block:10%

2-hour multiple-choice and short-answer question end-of-unit examination to assess all of the material covered throughout the year: 80%

Reading and References

Biomedical Science -Lecture notes, Ian Lyons, ISBN: 978-1-118-29471-0; November 2011, Wiley-Blackwell (available as an ebook through Library Services).