Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PHB3505

 
TITLE From Molecule to Disease

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Physiology and Biochemistry

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit introduces students to the processes of molecular pathology that explains how biological molecules, which may be nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates or lipid molecules, affect health. This study-unit focuses on a range of selected disease states which may vary from year to year.

Study-unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to create a forum for the discussion of the various biological mechanisms underlying different disease states and how the dysregulation of molecular processes and defective molecules give rise to inflammatory conditions, neurological disorders, disorders of immunity, genetic disease and tumourogenesis. Correlations are drawn between the molecular pathology of a condition and the symptoms presented by the patient. The therapeutic potential of certain molecules and the development of translational medicine are also be explored.

Course Structure:

This study-unit has been specifically designed, bottom-up, to take advantage of the powerful new technology available for pedagogy. This study-unit is a student-driven content creation course. Students will be expected to create, design and populate a website aimed at University undergraduate students (peers). The website will describe various molecules and diseases which will be dynamically linked, and cross referenced within the website. Students will be expected to collaborate with one-another through emerging technologies such as collaborative note taking environments and video chat rooms.

A set of introductory lectures will cover foundational material and core-concepts taught. Following the core content schedule, lectures will comprise of collaborative sessions to discuss and plan the website. An academic member of staff will always be available for advice, guidance and troubleshooting.

Following content creation, an academic reviewer will provide feedback to the students who are then expected to incorporate the feedback into the site.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Describe the principles of molecular pathology;
- Discuss the underlying mechanisms that cause different forms of disease;
- Explain how information regarding the molecular mechanism of disease may be applied to the design of therapeutics; and
- Explain the mechanisms of disease and therapeutics.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Collaborate with peers to create educational content for their peers using modern technology;
- Incorporate critiques and academic review back into their work;
- Discuss principles of ‘cause and effect’ to the mechanisms underlying disease states;
- Draw a link between the molecular cause of the disease and the symptoms manifested in the patient;
- Critically analyse data and scientific articles; and
- Present and discuss scientific data.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Kumar, V., Abbas, A. K., and Aster, J.C. (2013). Robbins Basic Pathology. 9 th ed. Philadelphia, Elsevier Saunders Publishers.

Relevant scientific articles will be made available to the students.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Seminar & Independent Study

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Classwork YR No 20%
Presentation (20 Minutes) SEM1 Yes 35%
Presentation (30 Minutes) SEM2 Yes 45%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit