| Unit name | Molecular basis of disease |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SOCS30003 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Welsh |
| 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 address the biochemistry and molecular genetics of disease processes. Understanding the pathways that contribute to aberrant cellular and physiological processes will add to the body of knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of disease, thus enabling identification of drug targets for treating disease or identification of novel biomarkers of disease. You will be introduced to concept of drug discovery and how basic scientific innovation can be translated to the improvements in clinical care. The topics that this unit will cover include the molecular basis of cancer, diseases of the renal system and cardiovascular medicine.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The unit aims to:
(i) Introduce you to receptor signalling, intracellular pathways and gene expression;
(ii) Provide you with fundamental knowledge on the molecular basis of cancer, with a focus on breast and prostate cancer;
(iii) Introduce you to drug discovery and illustrate how basic laboratory research can be translated to the bedside;
(iv) Provide you with knowledge on the current research in renal medicine, including tubular disease, glomerular disease, paediatric renal medicine and diabetic neuropathy;
(v) Provide you with knowledge on clinical problems in cardiovascular medicine such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, vascular diseases and paediatric heart diseases.
Learning Outcomes
(i) relate receptor signalling to intracellular signal transduction and its effects on cell function
(ii) describe the molecular basis of specific types of cancer
(iii) describe the molecular basis of key renal disorders and discuss the current research advances in this area
(iv) describe the clinical problems in key cardiovascular diseases and to discuss current and emerging therapeutics for these conditions
This unit is taught through lectures and tutorials (which may be online or face-to-face, where appropriate). Independent study: you are expected to study the recommended literature.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit will be assessed by timed summative assessments in May/June. You will be expected to answer 2 essay questions (50% weighting per question) over 72 hours, which will assess your knowledge and critical understanding of the field, and your ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature.
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. SOCS30003).
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.
