| Unit name | Foundations in Clinical Sciences Research |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMS30018 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Vincent |
| 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?
This unit will introduce general research principles and experimental design to you so as to provide a foundation for your studies and research dissertation. The teaching sessions will provide preliminary training in the following practical and transferable skills: finding research information by using the library and internet; reading, interpreting and presenting research results; scientific writing and referencing; research design and statistical analysis. The teaching sessions will also introduce you to theoretical aspects and practicalities of a diverse range of laboratory techniques that are used in modern, health sciences research. Topics will include the “omics” field of study including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics; high throughput sequencing and bioinformatics; the use of viral vectors for gene transfer and manipulation of gene expression; the use of model organisms and genetically modified mice as models of human disease; dynamic cell microscopy and imaging techniques, as well as an introduction to stem cell biology.
These sessions are reinforced by tutorials that review the taught material and provide an opportunity for the discussion of selected relevant research papers. This helps you to understand the process of planning a piece of research.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The unit aims to:
(i) Provide you with the skills to find research information and read scientific literature.
(ii) Provide you with the fundamental knowledge of experimental design; presenting research results and scientific writing.
(iii) Introduce some key core principles of statistical analysis and interpretation to prepare you for the research project unit.
(iv) Foster individual and team-working, demonstrating organisation, decision-making and time management.
(v) Provide you with the knowledge of cutting-edge genetic and molecular techniques that can be used in the laboratory to study disease.
(vi) Provide you with knowledge of cellular and animal models of diseases that are used in biomedical research.
(vii) Provide you with knowledge of visualisation techniques that can be used to image disease.
Learning Outcomes
(i) Find, review, appraise and describe scientific literature.
(ii) Accurately interpret simple statistical analysis of research data and draw appropriate conclusions.
(iii) Appraise the ethical issues surrounding medical research and treatments.
(iv) Explain the theoretical basis of main research methods that are relevant and applicable to the biomedical sciences.
(v) Describe in vitro and in vivo research models that can be used to study disease.
(vi) Assess the advantages and limitations of various research techniques that are used in the laboratory, particularly in biomedical research.
This unit is taught through lectures, tutorials and group project presentations (which may be online or face-to-face, where appropriate).
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
(i) Formative MCQs on statistics.
(ii) A formative group project/presentation on current issues in medical research.
(iii) A formative structured essay plan (selected from a list of titles on the theory, applications and limitations of a technique or disease model) that can be used to help write the summative essay. Feedback will be given on the plan.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
(i) An in-person summative open-book exam comprising data interpretation and critical analysis of a short research article (contributes to 50% of the overall unit mark).
(ii) A summative essay building on the formative essay plan. This will be an essay on the same title, and will be 50% of the unit mark.
When assessment does not go to plan:
As this is a final year unit, reassessment is not normally permitted. However, in light of self-certification of absences or certified exceptional circumstances, the Exam Board may award a further attempt at failed or missed assessment. The reassessment will normally be in the same format as the original assessment. See the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further details.
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. BRMS30018).
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 assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
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.
