Unit information: Stem Cells in Cardiac Systems in 2016/17

Unit name	Stem Cells in Cardiac Systems
Unit code	CSSBM0001
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. Madeddu
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Bristol Medical School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The aim of this unit is to outline the role of stem cells in cardiac tissues. The module will describe a number of the main cardiac diseases/conditions. The role of stem cells as possible therapeutic options for such conditions: this will be discussed with particular focus on angiogenesis and repairing the ischemic heart.

This unit will describe:

1. The development of the cardiovascular system

2. Scientific and clinical aspects of cardiovascular disease

3. The clinical relevance of cardiovascular regenerative medicine, including stem cell therapy, molecular therapy and tissue engineering

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing this module will:

1. Be able to compare and contrast the prenatal development of the heart and vasculature with regenerative mechanisms following injury

2. Be able to assess methods to manipulate the reparative mechanisms occurring after an ischemic injury of the heart and peripheral tissues

3. Be able to critically appraise regenerative medicine approaches that are likely to have an application to cardiovascular medicine

Teaching Information

• Web-based Audio Lectures and Seminars.
• Web-based tutorials/practicals
• Self-directed study
• On-line discussion forums

Assessment Information

Summative Assessment:

• Coursework (contributing a total of 60% to the module).
• 5 sets of multiple choice questions (MCQ) of a simple format (e.g. select an answer from a short number of options, true/false) each contributing 5% to module giving a total of 25%.
• 1x essay contributing 20% to module
• 3x short answer question sets or extended MCQs each contributing 5% to module giving a total of 15%

Please note that students will be given formative feedback on all coursework assessment where appropriate.

• Written Exams (contributing a total of 40% to the module and taken in Bristol)
• Essay paper - contributing 27%
• MCQ paper – contributing 13%

Contribution reflects time spent in each exam (2hrs essay, 1hr MCQ).

The pass-mark for the module will be 50%. However students will be required to reach a minimum standard in both their coursework and their written exam. As such only 5% compensation between the total coursework element and the total exam element will be allowed.

Reading and References

For each lecture, seminar, tutorial students will be given a reading list composed of journal and review articles, websites and book chapters. Due to the novelty of this field and the postgraduate nature of this programme we do not feel there are suitable textbooks to recommend for this module.