| Unit name | Molecular Epidemiology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0087 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Elliott |
| 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 |
BRMSM0090 |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
Molecular epidemiology involves using molecular biology data to study disease epidemiology in human populations. Understanding molecular epidemiology is a vital component of modern epidemiology training.
The unit explores various uses of molecular data (genetics, epigenetics, metabolomics, proteomics) in non-communicable disease epidemiology, emphasising its practical importance in addressing complex health challenges. The unit also tackles current challenges, such as the concept of population diversity in molecular epidemiology. The unit allows exploration of big data analytical approaches such as genome-wide and epigenome-wide association studies and will introduce students to the study designs and challenges of using large-scale molecular data in epidemiological studies. The unit aims to develop students' ability to interpret results from large-scale studies, promoting critical thinking and analytical skills.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This optional unit in Teaching Block 2 will develop your skills in critical thinking and will give you confidence in working with molecular epidemiological data. It will build on concepts and skills developed in the Teaching Block 1 units, allowing a more in-depth understanding of molecular pathways in non-communicable disease epidemiology. Concepts mastered in this unit will be used within the dissertation module for projects specific to molecular epidemiology datasets.
An overview of content
The unit will cover the following aspects of molecular epidemiology:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
At the end of the unit, you will have gained key knowledge and skills in molecular epidemiology. This will allow you to conduct large-scale molecular epidemiology studies and analyse molecular data. You will have a deep understanding of key challenges and opportunities in contemporary molecular epidemiology and will be able to critically appraise the literature. You will be poised to use the skills and knowledge developed in this unit to address real-world health challenges either in employment or further study.
Learning Outcomes
Teaching will include learning activities set by the tutors including lectures, small group work, discussions, individual tasks, and practical activities.
Directed and self-directed learning will include activities such as reading published papers, accessing web-based supplementary materials, performing critical analysis and completing assessments. These learning experiences are designed to enable you to apply your knowledge to novel scenarios.
Tasks which will help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Practical tasks and small group work throughout the unit will help to consolidate and deepen your learning. These exercises will be both within contact time sessions and online via Blackboard. You will also complete a formative exercise half-way through the Unit, where you will critically appraise a published molecular epidemiology study and produce a graphical abstract. Tutors and peers will provide constructive feedback on this exercise which will feed forward to support completion of the first summative assessment.
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. BRMSM0087).
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.
