THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Deanery of Biomedical Sciences : Biomedical Sciences

Postgraduate Course: Genes and Disease 1 (BIME11165)

Course Outline
SchoolDeanery of Biomedical Sciences CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits80 ECTS Credits40
SummaryThe aim of this course is to introduce and exemplify the concept that susceptibility to disease, particularly polygenic disease, is influenced by both genes and environment. The rapid expansion of knowledge in molecular biology has been crucial to our understanding of the basis of monogenetic disorders and now underlies advances in our understanding of the genetic contribution to common 'multifactorial' conditions which have a hereditary component, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. New insights into pathogenesis are rapidly being translated into novel therapeutic approaches, including stem cell technologies, that will profoundly affect treatment in the coming decades.
Course description This course is an elective research subject for the MSc Biomedical Sciences (Life Sciences) programme that investigates molecular understanding of the mechanisms and functions of complex life processes and to understand the pathophysiology of human diseases and related therapies. ` This course includes a 20 week placement in leading research laboratories Investigating specialist topics relevant to human and health and disease (including cardiovascular biology, embryonic development, reproductive biology, tissue regeneration, neuroscience). Students will utilise cutting edge molecular, genetic, modelling and bioinformatic approaches to advance molecular understanding of the mechanisms and functions of complex life processes and to understand the pathophysiology of human diseases and related therapies.
The course includes a mandatory taught element to provide both essential research skills and training for biomedical science and specialised content related molecular biomedicine and informatics. There will be 3 contact hours per week to include key training activities such as courses in experimental design and data analysis, use of bioinformatics, programming, modelling, sessions on science communication, presentation skills and project planning and research subject specific content.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Blocks 1-3 (Sem 1-2)
Course Start Date 20/09/2021
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 800 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 36, Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 19, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 5, Formative Assessment Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 16, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 714 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Coursework 100%
One 20-week project write up maximum 10,000 words.
Feedback Feedback will be provided to students throughout the programme, by staff involved in the core taught element, peer group activities and by individual supervisors overseeing the research projects. Formative assessments will ensure core skill development and maximise student-supervisor interaction in project development and analysis, as well as peer and supervisor feedback. In addition each research project includes formative assessments that will be independently marked and will include formal feedback.

Two anonymous markers provide feedback on the summative research project assessment.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Ability to devise an independent research project
  2. Develop detailed knowledge and understanding of a specific subject area of interest
  3. Acquire a range of core experimental research, and generic/transferrable skills.
  4. Acquire skills in ICT, numeracy, data presentation and statistical analysis of experimental results
  5. Develop written and oral presentation skills and demonstrate ability to communicate science to a range of audiences
Reading List
Resources will be made available within LEARN
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Project planning and time management
Independent learning
Critical evaluation and analysis
Communication, numeracy and IT skills
Accountability and working with others
Laboratory and analytical research skills
KeywordsBiomedicine,bioinformatics,genomics,proteomics,modelling,reproductive sciences,neuroscience.
Contacts
Course organiserDr Sari Pennings
Tel: 0131 242 6145
Email: Sari.Pennings@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Fiona Brodie
Tel: (0131 6)51 5997
Email: Fiona.Brodie@ed.ac.uk
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