| Unit name | Omics of the brain |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0085 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Murphy |
| 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?
The sequencing of the human genome is one of the greatest achievements of our civilisation. We now know that to make a human being requires about 22,000 genes; fewer than we expected, but still quite a lot. The next step is to find out what all these genes do in terms of the integrated functions, and importantly, the inevitable dysfunctions, of the human organism. We already have the basic gene manipulation and analysis technologies to do this, and, in the coming years, their industrial scale application will provide humanity with a detailed understanding, and hence control, of its physical destiny.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit will equip you with a strong familiarity and understanding of the state-of-the-art methodological and analytical approaches in molecular genetic research as applied to the brain. This will provide a context to your reading of research papers throughout the whole programme and beyond. Our approach to teaching is both practical and critical, thus equipping you with these crucial attitudes and skills.
An overview of content
This Unit will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of recent developments in molecular genetic technologies which are used to increase our understanding of the brain. You will thus become fully cognisant of the latest discoveries in molecular biology and gene regulation in the brain.
The following areas will be covered:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
At the end of this unit, you will have gained authentic transferable skills through completion of important interactive tutorials. These skills include lab skills and bioinformatics.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this unit, you will be able to:
You will primarily learn through lectures, where core information is presented and explained. Each lecture is associated with a task, that can be completed in your own time. This may involve watching a film, reading a paper, or solving a problem. The task will confirm and test your understanding of the taught topics. In addition, you will take part in interactive tutorials where, working in groups, you will analyse and discuss data with others and work together to solve problems. These ways of learning will prepare you for the summative assessment, which involves synthesising the information learnt in the unit, and applying it to solve problems.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
The formative tasks for the unit comprise Interactive Tutorial and Practical classes where we will work through research scenarios, and you will design and propose experimental approaches. As you work through these problem scenarios, you will receive instant feedback from the lecturers and, during discussions, also from your peers.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The summative assessment (100%) for the unit is a timed-open book assessment, which comprises completing short-answer problems, where you are asked to analyse and process data and to compare, contrast, critique and propose methodological approaches to answer scientific questions.
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. BRMSM0085).
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.
