| Unit name | Introduction to Stem Cells and Regeneration |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CSSBM1011 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Whittington |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
Understanding the different types of stem cells, their properties and limitations is critical for consideration of their potential clinical application. The aim of this unit is to introduce you to the general concept and rationale of stem cell research and regenerative medicine. You will start to think about and debate the ethical and legal questions the development and use of such cells invokes. We also want you to become familiar with our online environment and being able to work independently. These are skills that will help you in the rest of the programme.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Understanding the different types of stem cells and their limitations will allow you to evaluate their potential uses when we move onto studying different body systems and the diseases they are affected by, which are covered in other units. The skills of critical appraisal and scientific writing will be a solid grounding to allow you to consider other scientific communication methods in subsequent units.
An overview of content
This unit covers the basic biology of stem cells and encourages you to consider the differences between types of stem cells. You will also learn key concepts in cell signalling and biomaterials. The use of stem cells has a wide range of complex ethical and legal ramifications and we want you to will be able develop and articulate your views of these.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
As a result of this unit, you will grow in your confidence in expressing your own views of scientific research, starting to think critically about publications and where gaps in the field still exist. You will be digitally competent with our online environment and identifying material you need to support your studies. A group task and live discussion sessions will give you opportunity to start building your online learning support network
Learning Outcomes
This unit will offer you a range of learning opportunities such as pre-recorded resources together with live online sessions with discussion designed to encourage engagement and active learning. Formative tasks will encourage you to develop your skills and support your learning. Working as part of a group will help you establish a learning community with your peers. You are also expected to engage in selecting additional reading from a suggested reading list, to support and further expand your learning.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
A formative paper review task will help you to practice critical evaluation of a research paper in preparation for the summative essay task. A live discussion session will provide opportunity for you to discuss your ideas on structure and content of the summative essay.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the unit, you will normally be given the opportunity to take a reassessment as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes. Decisions on the award of reassessment will normally be taken after all taught units of the year have been completed. Reassessment will normally be in a similar format to the original assessment that has been failed.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CSSBM1011).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
