BMN2013 : Practical and Presentational Skills in Biomedical Sciences
BMN2013 : Practical and Presentational Skills in Biomedical Sciences
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Pamela Knight
- Lecturer: Dr Nadine Nograles
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Malaysia
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Code | Title |
---|---|
BMN1011 | Professional and Practical Skills for Bioscientists |
BMN2000 | Essential Biomedical Research Skills |
Pre Requisite Comment
Whilst all Phase 1 bioscience modules will provide an essential foundation on which to develop this module, the three practical skills modules delivered across each semester of stage 1 are particularly important as pre-requisite modules. Along with BMN2000, these three modules provide students with the necessary basic laboratory skills and techniques upon which this module will build and develop further competence.
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Code | Title |
---|---|
BMN2011 | The Nervous System and Respiratory Diseases |
BMN2012 | Clinical Immunology and Viral Pathogens |
Co Requisite Comment
Theory that underpins the practical content is taught in these modules and timetabling will provide an integrated learning experience.
Aims
•To enhance students’ practical skills in key techniques and data analysis.
•To develop an investigative approach and introduce students to experimental design in preparation for the final year project.
•To develop a deeper understanding of theoretical knowledge through related practical exercises.
•To develop practical report writing skills in preparation for the final year project.
Outline Of Syllabus
Practical lab classes will include:
• Cell culture techniques
• Epidemiological Investigation
• Investigation of respiratory disease
• PCR
• Aseptic technique
• Enzyme-linked and latex-agglutination immunoassay
• Record keeping
• Statistical analysis and presentation of data
• Analytical sensitivity
• Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity
• Case study presentation
Theoretical supporting classes will include
• Epidemiological methods
• Cell culture techniques
• Oral presentation skills
• Writing an IMRaD report
• Analytical and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity
• Receiver Operating Curves
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
On completion of this module the student will be able to:
1.Discuss theoretical principles of cell culture
2.Carry out an epidemiological Investigation, using HIV as a model infection
3.Compare bacterial, viral and immunological causes of respiratory disease
4.Explain how heterophilic antibodies arise in EBV infection and how these are used in diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis
5.Explain the principles of a latex-agglutination type method
6.Select appropriate tools for method evaluation
Intended Skill Outcomes
On completion of this module the student will be able to:
1.Perform basic cell culture techniques
2.Perform microbiological culture
3.Perform PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis
4.Collect, summarise and interpret data
5.Determine the analytical sensitivity of a method
6.Compare the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of methods
7.Write an IMRaD style practical report
8.Deliver an oral case study presentation
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | In person - 5 min presentation to an assessor & sml grp of peers (case study P4) - 6 sessions, 3 assessors |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | In person sessions released as appropriate to practical sessions. |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | In person lectures |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | In person - Practical 3 - Cell culture, lab based practical work |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | In person - Practical 1 Epidemiological investigation. Pract simulation/teaching materials/data |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | In person- Practical 2 - Method evaluation, lab based practical |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 11:00 | 11:00 | In person - Practical 4 - Case study investigation, lab based work over multiple sessions |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | In person post practical lab seminars.. Support/advice on evaluating data. |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | In person sessions for marking formative essay |
Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | In person Collaborative data analysis. Sml Grp work and formative individual writing. |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 59 | 1:00 | 59:00 | Including preparation for practical classes, study of on-line supporting materials and assessment. |
Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Online and in person teaching sessions are used to impart new information in a concise manner regarding method principles and applications that underpin the practical aspects of this module (LO1- 6). The practical lab classes are designed to develop practical skills in techniques commonly used in biomedical science laboratories (LO8-12), and through related assessment an ability to communicate their findings and understanding (LO13 and 14). Students will be able to relate the theoretical learning in BMN2011, BMN2012, BMN2013, BMN2014 and BMN2015 to the practical labs in this module (LO1-6) (i.e., immunology, virology, respiratory disease, mucosal infections).
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 70 | Practical 2 - IMRAD style report on method evaluation, max 1700 word count. |
Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | 30 | Practical 4 - presentation of 5 min clinical case to sml group of peers & an assessor - in person |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
---|---|---|---|
Essay | 2 | M | Essay topic practical skills, 24 hours to complete (30 mins to complete without notes). In person feedback session to self mark. |
Practical/lab report | 2 | M | Practice writing the abstract and any section student's want to practise further (based on their feedback from stage 1 lab report) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The module assessments are designed to improve students ability to correlate practical work with research methods and to relay their own findings in a scientific manner.
The epidemiological investigation practical provides the opportunity for analysis of the virtual spread of HIV in a population. Generation of epidemiological data will enable students to focus on their critical and analytical skills and how to effectively write up sections of an IMRaD report. This formative experience follows on from activities completed in stage 1 and allows practice in scientific writing including an abstract, prior to their assessed IMRaD report. The work will be self and peer reviewed using a marking rubric and both in person and online feedback to allow for qualitative reflection.
Assessment of the Method Evaluation Practical via an IMRaD (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion) report allows students to develop their analytical skills in the laboratory and subsequently using their results. The report enables students to demonstrate understanding of the method principles and diagnostic rationale (LOs 4-6, data acquisition and analysis (LO’s 5, 10-12) and can prepare a meaningful and succinct report which will develop their critical analysis and reflection in preparation for their final year dissertation report.
The Cell Culture practical allows students the opportunity to practice and observe the key skills needed for aseptic cell passage (L01,SO7). Online quiz questions enable student experience of data interpretation and analysis. The formative timed essay based on a subset of practical skills allows students the opportunity to research in depth a key practical technique and subsequently practice their time limited writing skills. Feedback will emphasise the composition of an essay, the structure, depth and relevance to title.
To meet LO 3, SO4 and 8, students will use the results of their Case Study Investigation Practical to present upon one of the clinical cases. Peer assessment will be used to provide students the opportunity to engage further with marking criteria but also to reflect upon presentation styles and critically reflect upon content presented. An academic assessor will also provide marks and feedback to encourage reflection and to further prepare students for presenting their own research in their project dissertations.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMN2013's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- BMN2013's past Exam Papers
General Notes
Original Handbook text:
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