MOLECULAR MEDICINE - 2022/3

Module Overview

In this module students will work in teams to evaluate and propose approaches to authentic, real-world, scenarios in biomedical research. The students will work with the academic facilitator to understand the basis of the research problem, and to evaluate some initial technical and experimental approaches which are provided. The students will then work in teams to propose a critical experimental plan, incorporating a range of appropriate biochemical techniques. Students will be expected to work to include details of cell lines or experimental models which may be used, how experiments will be controlled, replicated and evaluated, and which statistical models would be appropriate for the methods under discussion Students will keep a critical and evaluative research record and portfolio of both team and individual efforts, and will be asked to reflect on their experimental proposals and critically discuss the biochemical methods that are proposed.

Module provider

School of Biosciences

Module Leader

MARTINEZ ESTRADA Fernando Oneissi (Biosciences)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Undergraduate project module BMS3052: Biochemistry Receptors and Energy Metabolism

Module content

Indicative content may include:

Research problems in the following research areas:

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  • Cardiovascular science, heamatology and tissue engineering
  
  
  • Immunology and immunotherapy
  
  
  • Virology and viral therapy
  
  
  • Bacteriology and bacteriocidal therapy
  
  
  • Sleep science
  
  
  • Circadian rhythems
  
  
  • Molecular biology
  
  
  • Biometrology
  
  
  
  

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

All students with valid ECs for group work or presentations may submit on an individual basis.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate team-based communication skills, writing skills, planning, evaluation, and critical analysis.

Summative assessment

The summative assessment for this module consists of experimental questions that will be answered in team presentations and individual write-ups. The format provides opportunities for individual work and contribution to a whole team effort. The work will include:

• 
  
  
  
  • Providing summaries of the experimental scenario posed
  
  
  • Providing strategies to address the experimental task
  
  
  • Critically evaluate experimental plans and expected outcome
  
  
  • Learning how to work with a budget and under ethical approvals
  
  
  • Considerations for suitable statistical evaluation of data
  
  
  • Reflective evaluation of feedback and areas for improvement
  
  
  • Analysis of limitations of the work proposed
  
  
  
  

 

The module contains 4 pieces of assessment: one presentation (5%) and one write-up  (5%) in Theme 1, one write-up in Theme 2 (45%), and one group presentation for Theme 3 (45%).

Theme 1 pieces are worth 5% of the mark each, and Theme 2 and Theme 3 are worth 45% of the mark each.

Formative assessment

In class feedback, discussion and online engagement with discussion boards and blended material.

Feedback

In class feedback, discussion and online engagement with discussion boards and blended material.

 

Module aims

• Develop the students evaluative approach to experimental design and research based problem solving.
• Broaden the students critical appreciation of the applications and limitations of the biochemical methods discussed in the module.
• Enhance team working and team based communications skills.
• Encourage students to enhance their approach to the application of biochemical methods to novel research issues.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Provide a flipped learning environment, where teams of students work with academic facilitators to approach research questions.  In session students will initially work with provided materials which should stimulate discussion and provide a framework to allow exploration of the area in more detail.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Flipped classroom seminars in which the students will examine the details of biochemical problems in various research subdisciplines, and develop and propose strategies by which these may be addressed. The solutions must consider the limitations and advantages of any methods suggested and will provide a broad understanding of the cross-disciplinarity of the Biochemical techniques.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMSM020

Other information

None.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2022/3 academic year.