Studying at York
Molecular Basis of Disease - BIO00059M
Module summary
The broad aim of the module is to give students a critical awareness of research into the molecular basis of disease. Topics will be drawn from biomedical research specialisations in the Department, including cancer, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, and parasitology. Several research case studies will be presented, each covering initial ideas, preliminary findings, basic research and how an understanding of molecular mechanisms can translate into potential disease interventions.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2023-24 |
Module aims
In addition to learning about mechanisms of disease pathology, the lectures will provide students with a critical insight into the research process, including how various factors, such as funding opportunities, new technology, methodological development, competition and often, serendipity, contribute to important breakthroughs. As appropriate, the lecture sessions will include a lab visit/tour and/or opportunity for post-docs to tell students about their research, to provide exposure to the underpinning methodological approaches, technologies and molecular mechanisms being studied. Supported by tutorials and inspired by the lectures, students will undertake research of the literature in a disease of their choosing and write a critical review that appraises the validity and impact of mechanistic data in the design of potential therapies.
Module learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:
Explain the mechanistic basis of selected diseases at the molecular level.
Discuss how research has been designed and implemented to investigate disease.
Evaluate experimental techniques used to study the molecular basis of disease.
Critically evaluate scientific literature in an area of molecular medicine.
Synthesise an argument that draws on several (potentially contradicting) sources.
Provide constructive feedback on written work.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Marks for all summative assessments will be made available to you and your supervisor via e:vision. Feedback will be either individual or cohort-level, depending on the assessment format. You should take the opportunity to discuss your marks and feedback with your supervisor.
For coursework summative assessments (eg. reports, essays, presentations) you will receive individual feedback on your work. This will usually be in the form of a feedback sheet that will include suggestions for further improvement.
During the teaching of the module you will receive formative feedback that may be at a whole class or individual level. Such feedback may include: model answers, individual spoken comments during workshops, peer feedback and individual written comments on formative work.
Indicative reading
These are available through the VLE module site.