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LSC-10091 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

LSC-10091 - Microbes: the immune system and the environment
Coordinator: Naqash Masood Room: HUX202 Tel: 01782733056
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

In this module, you will explore the extent to which our daily life is impacted by microbes. This will include how our immune system protects us against infection and the role microbes play in the diversity of ecosystems.
This module will enable you to apply and contextualise material delivered in LSC-10066 and LSC-10074. You will be provided with online material to work through the core concepts at a time that suits you, In your case-based learning tutorials, you will work through real-life cases in microbiology and immunology in small groups. The CBL tutorials provide a safe environment for you to gain confidence in your communication skills as you discuss the case, and your research, with the rest of the group.
Bespoke workshops will guide you through the assessments, helping you to develop your own independent study habits and reflect on how you can improve to reach your full potential.

Aims
To investigate the range of microbial interactions with the immune system and the environment. To explore the impact of these interactions on humans, animals and the environment.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe the breadth of microbes and their critical role in global ecosystems: 2
Explain how microbes interact with the immune system: 1
Describe the impact of microbial associations with plants, animals and insects: 2
Take responsibility for their own learning and reflect upon that learning: 2
Acquire, analyse, appraise, summarise and present information from a wide range of sources: 1

Study hours

Active learning:
1 x 1hr introduction to the module tutorial
3 x 4 hrs spent working through asynchronous core content release
9 x 1hr case-based learning tutorials
2 x 1hr assessment workshops
2 x 1hr drop-in sessions
9 x 4hr preparation for case study tutorial
Independent study:
35 hrs of independent reading, research and composition to complete assessment 1
53 hours of independent reading, research and composition to complete assessment 2

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Seen Case - Process weighted 40%
Seen case study question and answer
Students will be provided with a short case study relating to microbes and the immune system and three associated questions. Students will have to independently research the answers to these questions. Each answer will have a word limit of 200. Students will be expected to fully reference their answers.

2: Case Study weighted 60%
Case-based report
Students will select one of the three case-based learning scenarios studied across this module as the basis of their case report. The case report will consist of three sections. The first section will require the student to formulate their own intended learning outcomes. In the second they will present the research to address their ILOs. In the final section, they will reflect on how they approached this assessment and how they can further develop their independent research skills. This piece of assessment has a word count of 1,500 (excluding figures and tables).

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may 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: 13 February 2024