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LSC-30028 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2021/22 Last Updated: 16 February 2022

LSC-30028 - Advances in Medicine
Coordinator: Srabasti J Chakravorty Tel: +44 1782 7 33685
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None



Description for 2021/22

This module investigates modern advances in medicine that impact current diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a range of diseases. We will highlight fast-emerging areas of research which are striving to improve diagnosis such as nanotechnology and new biochemical tests in the fields of heart disease, cancer and fertility investigations which will potentially improve patient care.
You will gain insight into the advancing field of personalised medicine, which allows optimisation of treatment based on an individual¿s genetic and clinical background. You will also explore the emerging cutting-edge use of non-coding RNA as a therapeutic tool.
Finally, you will be able to discuss new developments in the fields of tissue engineering, stem cell technologies, vaccinology and islet cell transplantation which have all seen significant advances in recent years.
The module is entirely assessed through a research portfolio that you will complete aross the semester. This will help you to develop, consolidate and evidence a range of science communication skills that are highly desirable in the post graduate market. From writing a scientific newspaper article for the general public to writing an analytical or impact evaluation.


Aims
This module will describe and promote the understanding of advances in medicine that have impacted on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care and control of relapse in a range of diseases including, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, cancer and organ dysfunction.

Intended Learning Outcomes

review current strategies in tissue engineering and evaluate the importance and limitations of these technologies: 1
evaluate current research in the fast-moving field of nanotechnology and their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools of the future: 1
evaluate current research in the fast-moving field of non-coding RNA and evaluate their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools of the future: 1
review the current research in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and evaluate the benefits and limitations of their application: 1
evaluate the benefits and limitations of current research in the fast-growing field of personalized medicine and the development of new diagnostic tests, to optimise treatment for individual patients: 1
review the current research in fast-moving field of vaccinology and evaluate their importance and limitations as therapeutic tools: 1
communicate information and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences: 1
manage their own learning and make use of primary sources: 1
evaluate and compare current developments in stem cell research in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders and neurodegenerative diseases and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages associated with this technology: 1

Study hours

12x 1 hour tutorials/workshops/seminars
8x 4 hours engagement with asynchronous content
4x 10 hours completion of portfolio assignments
66 hours independent study




School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 100%
Research Portfolio
This portfolio consists of 4 separate assignments based on topics taught across the module. Each assignment should be no more than 750 words, and each will carry equal weighting. Each topic taught across the module will present students with a single research paper relevant to that topic that could be used as the basis of these assignments. Each of the 4 assignments will then ask students to choose 1 from 2 of these research papers as the basis of their work. The first assignment will be a newspaper article designed to test the student¿s ability to concisely summarise complex scientific findings to a lay audience. The second assignment will be an analytical evaluation designed to test the student¿s ability to critique the methodological approach, choice of statistical analysis and results presentation. The third assignment will be an impact evaluation designed to test the student¿s ability to critically discuss the potential impact of a paper, including situating main findings in the wider literature and proposing new avenues of research. Finally, in the fourth assignment, students can choose to write either another newspaper article, analytical evaluation or impact evaluation.

Please note that for the 2021/22 Academic Year all programmes will be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there will be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 16 February 2022