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 : Integrative Biomedical Sciences (Zhejiang)

Undergraduate Course: Infection 3 (IBMS09006)

Course Outline
SchoolDeanery of Biomedical Sciences CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course will focus on developing advanced knowledge of infectious diseases, their pathogenesis and control, required for honours electives in e.g.: infectious diseases, immunology and inflammation, global health and epidemiology.
Course description This elective course will develop an advanced understanding of human infectious disease including bacteria, viruses, parasites and other infectious agents. It will consider infectious disease pathogenesis, immune control of pathogens, therapeutic control of pathogens, diagnostics, and will consider the epidemiology of infectious disease and its influence on global health.

Lectures will cover the range of biomedically important infectious diseases, including bacteria, viruses, parasites and other infectious agents. It will consider the underlying molecular and cellular biology, host-pathogen interactions, pathogenesis, immune control, therapeutics, and epidemiology.

Additionally, the course will demonstrate modern molecular, cellular, immunological and diagnostic techniques in the study of infectious disease. There will also be an emphasis of the critical appraisal of laboratory data and published literature. While skills in science communication through writing and presentation will be developed.

Overall, this course will focus on developing advanced knowledge of in infection and immunity in preparation for specialist honours modules e.g.: infectious diseases, immunology, inflammation, global health and epidemiology.
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 Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 30, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 18, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 18, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 130 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 40 %, Coursework 60 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Exam: 40% total course mark«br /»
ICA: 60% total course mark: essay (40%), data test/literature analysis (20%)
Feedback Weekly tutorials related to lecture content will provide regular opportunity for oral feedback on students understanding of key topics. Appraisal of scientific literature and data sets in tutorials and practicals respectively will allow for feedback in students critical analysis skills in preparation for the practical test.

Tutorials in which students are asked to research examples of particular aspects of infectious disease also provide an opportunity for feedback on developing research skills and will be important for the course essay.

For the course essay students will choose from a list of essay topics by academics teaching on the course. 2 initial references will be chosen by the academics to start students research in the right direction. Students will be set a deadline 3 weeks after choosing an essay to submit a detailed structure and reference list to the academic. Feedback will be returned by the academic in 5 working days. Submission of the final essay will be 4 weeks after feedback has been provided.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Explain how microorganisms and parasites can cause disease in humans, including their virulence mechanisms and evolution, their epidemiology of infections, and compare their characteristics
  2. Describe and classify the defence mechanisms that help protect the host from infection and help eradicate pathogenic microorganisms and parasites
  3. Explain the various therapeutic and public health strategies that can be used to control infectious diseases
  4. Be able to perform a variety of practical procedures accurately and reproducibly, to be able explain the theoretical basis of the techniques used, and to interpret and critique the results
  5. Be able to review relevant infection and immunity topics, then discuss and evaluate them with their peers and staff
Reading List
Goering, R.V., Dockrell, H.M., Zuckerman, M., Roitt, I.M., Chiodini, P.L. (2013) Mims' Medical Microbiology, 5th Edition. Saunders Elsevier.
Murray, P.R., Rosenthal, K.S., Pfaller, M.A. (2013) Medical Microbiology 7th Edition. Elsevier-Saunders, Philadelphia.
Tille, P.M. (2014) Bailey & Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology, 13th Edition. Elsevier-Mosby, St Louis (MO) USA.
Flint, S.J.a., Racaniello, V.R.a., Rall, G.F.a., Skalka, A.M.a. & Enquist, L.W.a. (2015). Principles of virology. Fourth edition.
Knipe, D.M., Howley, P.M. (2007) Field's Virology, 5th Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia USA.
Murphy K (2016). Janeways. Immunobiology. 9th edition. Garland Science.
Owen J, Punt J, Stranford S, Jones, P (2018) Kuby Immunology. 8th edition. W H Freeman & Co.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills The course aim is to develop a set of four clusters of skills and abilities (see headings below) that will strengthen students¿ attitude towards lifelong learning and personal development, as well as future employability. The graduate attributes we hope to develop within the 3rd year Infection 3 elective course are indicated below.

Understanding and Enquiry
The course aims to increase students¿ understanding of infectious disease and also obtain specific skills as outlined in the Course Description. The knowledge base of the course and the development of analytical and critical skills will be of benefit to students in completing their degree and beyond. The course will develop problem-solving capabilities through the course essay, practical test, and presentation.

Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
To meet the aims and challenges of the course, we will encourage students to work independently and also to discuss and debate with other students and staff to strengthen their views as they develop. By reading textbooks and research papers students will expand their knowledge of the topics covered in the lectures, and this will allow them to broaden personal scientific interests outside of the specific subjects in the course. In writing the course essay and in the course presentation students will explore topics in detail, evaluate what they have learnt and read in a critical way. While the practical classes and practical test will similarly encourage them to develop their critical analysis skills.

Communication
Tutorial discussions, presentation, and the course essay will be used to develop students communication skills. Preparing for the presentation and tutorials will help students to develop effective communication skills and improve their professional, scientific English language. Students will be also encouraged to ask questions during lectures and tutorials to expand their knowledge and clear up any misinterpretations and misunderstandings they might have.

Personal Effectiveness
Students will continue learning time management skills to develop ways to organise their work and meet deadlines. The course essay will encourage them to structure and organise their thoughts. Tutorial sessions will require sustained and regular engagement with course material and beyond.
KeywordsInfection,Immunology,Medical microbiology,Virology,Parisitology,Epidemiology
Contacts
Course organiserDr Richard Sloan
Tel: (0131) 242 6281
Email: Richard.Sloan@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Natasha Goldie
Tel:
Email: natasha.goldie@ed.ac.uk
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