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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Deanery of Clinical Sciences : Pain Management

Postgraduate Course: Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pain, Stem Cells and Models (PAMA11077)

Course Outline
SchoolDeanery of Clinical Sciences CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis 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.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Block 5 (sem 2)
Course Start Date 27/04/2020
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 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Discuss and explain the clinical pathology with respect to specific the neurodegenerative diseases covered
  2. Understand the impact of neurodegenerative diseases on daily lives of individuals
  3. Explain the strengths and limitations of Stem Cells with respect to modelling/impacting specific neurodegenerative diseases
  4. Explain the strengths and limitations of current scientific models relative to specific neurodegenerative diseases
  5. Communicate and engage with the course¿s concepts and principles with others outwith their own field
Reading List
None
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.
KeywordsStem cells,neurodegenerative diseases,regenerative neurology,models,in vitro,in vivo,pain
Contacts
Course organiserDr David Hampton
Tel: (0131) 242 9421
Email: David.Hampton@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Olga Paterson
Tel: (0131) 242 6130
Email: Olga.Paterson@ed.ac.uk
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