Aims

To enable the student to engage in empirical research and interpretation of a selected topic relevant to their programme of study through the scholarly use of primary and other sources.

Module Content

The module offers students the opportunity to engage in extensive independent study with supervision from a tutor/s. Primary scientific sources should be used to a significant extent in addition to a thorough grounding in the secondary literature.

Students will be given an introduction to the Dissertation during the Professional Skills modules, where guidance will be given on procedures that need to be carried out before any data is collected, e.g. ethical permission and risk assessment.

In Level 6 a small number of lectures will take place during the module to advise on what is expected of students, how to present data and organise work. Students will mainly be prepared for the dissertation during modules in levels 4 and 5.

Module Aim

This module applies the principles and skills of experimental microbiology, discusses the role of microorganisms as causative agents of infectious disease and examines the ways in which they may be controlled. The module particularly builds upon information covered in the Level 5 module “Advanced Microbiology”, and complements the Level 6 module “Clinical Immunology".

Aims:

• To appreciate the relationships that exist between aspects of human biology and microbiology.
• To understand the factors that influence the establishment of infection and various methods of control.
• To understand the process of infection and its effects on the major organ systems.

Module Content

This module will build upon content delivered in level 4 and level 5 microbiology modules. Topics discussed will include:

• Microbial pathogenicity.
• Defences against microbial attack.
• Antimicrobial and antiviral agents.
• Human commensal flora.
• Microbial diseases of selected organ systems.
• Laboratory detection of microbes of medical importance.
• Biofilms and quorum sensing.
• Infection control.
• Advanced epidemiology.
• Ethical issues in microbiology.

Aims

The module aims to build on previous knowledge of immunology and haematology and focuses on haematopoiesis, haemopoetic stem cells and how the malignant and non-malignant haematological diseases develop. The module will encompass various aspects related to haematology laboratory testing and diagnostic procedures including routine haematology, transfusion and coagulation.

Module Content

• Normal blood cell populations - overview of immunology and haematology.
• Haematopoiesis and haemopoetic stem cells
• Blood science laboratory processes - flow cytometry and cytogenetics
• Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
• Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
• ALL and Car-T cell immuno therapy
• Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
• Bone marrow transplantation
• Coagulation and bleeding biological processes
• Anaemias, haemorrhagic and thrombotic diseases
• Blood transfusion
• Pregnancy and neonatal haematology
• Research and clinical trials
• Screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease
• Methods of collection of clinical samples that may be subjected to biochemical analysis
• Principles and applications of biochemical investigations used for screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease, including near patient testing
• Therapeutic monitoring/ drug monitoring.

Module Aim

The aim of the module is to give students an appreciation of the specialist area of clinical immunology in the biomedical sciences. The module will encompass various aspects related to clinical immunology such as the immunological basis of systemic and organ specific disorders, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Module Content

The module covers:

• Principles and practice of clinical immunology, screening and diagnostics.
• Immune diseases and their mechanisms, including systemic and organ specific disorders.
• Immunology of body systems, including neuroimmunology and pregnancy.
• Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies.
• Immunology of tumours and neoplastic diseases and Immunotherapy.
• Transplantation.
• Prevention and Therapy of Immunologic Diseases.