Postgraduate Course: Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pain, Stem Cells and Models (PAMA11077)
Course Outline
School | Deanery of Clinical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
Summary | This course aims to provide students with an introduction to the central nervous system, basic anatomy, cell types and development before leading into a critical understanding of dementias and neurodegenerative diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Spinal Cord Injury. |
Course description |
This course aims to provide students with an introduction to the central nervous system, basic anatomy, cell types and development before leading into a critical understanding of dementias and neurodegenerative diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Spinal Cord Injury. The course will also explore how these diseases influence patients and carers.
Furthermore, students will learn about: symptoms of these neurodegenerative disease; explore real patient case studies; what cells and regions are affected and potential mechanisms of disease progression, and the impact of pain in these diseases.
Importantly, how these diseases can be modelled in both cell cultures and animals will be covered with an emphasis on the pros and cons of various model techniques (with respect to patients and the clinical setting) and with a view to developing students' critical understanding of these cutting edge technologies.
Throughout this course the generation, propagation and roles of stem cells will be investigated and analysed with respect to neurodegenerative diseases and pain and potential impact on patients and clinicians.
This is a 10-week distance learning course worth 20 credits. Students are expected to spend 20 hours per week on this course. Students will be given a brief overview of the course and will then be provided with relevant materials and resources. Specific tasks and online exercises relating to each weeks topic will be set. A final submitted assessment will be required for the course.
This is an elective course and may not be available every academic year. This will be subject to student numbers and availability of academic staff.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
Course Start |
Flexible |
Course Start Date |
16/04/2018 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment will consist of a combination of summative written assessment and online assessment incorporating a variety of activities.
Assignment One: 30% (10% Peer assessment + 20% Tutor assessed) - Group presentation (poster/wall) that will be based on the functions/uses and applications of stem cells for a specific neurodegenerative disease Students will be offered formative feedback on an outline/plan prior to the actual assessment, which will also incorporate peer assessment.
Assignment Two: 20% - assessed online contributions. A single reflective (10%) piece that will be started early in the course and the student will be expected to revisit their piece and expand on it thus showing their growing development and understanding of the course and discussion boards (10%).
Assignment Three: 50% - Course portfolio in 2 parts:
a) 25% - Layman's Guide/Information sheet designed to highlight use of stem cells or animal models specific to a neurodegenerative disease designed for use in the clinic
b) 25% - Essay (1500-2000 words) from a series of questions based around the key learning outcomes for the topics of neurodegenerative diseases, pain, models and stem cells to test the students understanding of the key concepts. |
Feedback |
Not entered |
No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Discuss and explain the clinical pathology with respect to specific the neurodegenerative diseases covered
- Understand the impact of neurodegenerative diseases on daily lives of individuals
- Explain the strengths and limitations of Stem Cells with respect to modelling/impacting specific neurodegenerative diseases
- Explain the strengths and limitations of current scientific models relative to specific neurodegenerative diseases
- Communicate and engage with the course¿s concepts and principles with others outwith their own field
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
During the course students will have to demonstrate the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with others. Their knowledge and understanding of the topic will improve but they will also learn generic approaches/skills. As the course is distance learning, it will contribute to their IT, writing and communication skills which can be applied to both clinical and academic environments. Finally, they will be expected to be able to bring together and draw from the information provided through the course during their assignment writing. Competences such as structuring of work and accurate referencing should also improve. |
Keywords | Stem cells,neurodegenerative diseases,regenerative neurology,models,in vitro,in vivo,pain |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr David Hampton
Tel: (0131) 242 9421
Email: David.Hampton@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Ruth Macdonald
Tel: (0131) 242 3135
Email: Ruth.MacDonald@ed.ac.uk |
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