Module Catalogue 2024/25

BMS2002 : Cell Biology and Disease

BMS2002 : Cell Biology and Disease

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Alessio Iannetti
  • Lecturer: Professor Jonathan Higgins, Dr Damian Parry, Dr Josana Rodriguez Sanchez, Dr Christina Elliott, Dr Andrew Knight
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Through this module the student will gain greater understanding of aspects of Cell Biology focusing on post-translational events and how cellular events lead to normal tissue function or disease development. Lectures, small groups and practical work will be used to develop a greater understanding of how the mechanisms within individual cells and between cells impact on tissues and therefore the organism. The module will employ a case study approach looking at the impact of mechanistic dysfunction on various conditions such as diabetes, nervous system diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.

Outline Of Syllabus

The students will study the following cellular processes:
•       Proteins: post-translational processing and trafficking,
•       Membrane transport and ion channels,
•       Extracellular matrix,
•       Cell Signalling,
•       Cell cycle.
Disease case studies will be used to illustrate the effect of dysfunction in each of these processes.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module the students will be able to:
1.       Review general protein modification processes
2.       Explain how protein modification impacts on cellular and tissue function
3.       Appraise the function of specific proteins and protein modification in the context of given diseases.
4.       Relate specific cellular function to that of the complex tissue function.

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the module the students will be able to:
1.       employ databases to research the links between proteins and disease
2.       link structural modification with alterations in activity of a protein
3.       apply practical techniques to demonstrate protein function and impact of pathological change

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture241:0024:00In person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical11:301:30Lab-based practical - In person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching51:005:00Seminars - S1-S5. In person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops12:002:00Essay writing guidance session - in person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery11:001:00Feedback session on poster preparation from the material gathered in the practical - Online
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1166:30166:30Writing up lecture notes, revision and general reading
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will be used to provide new detailed information and illustrate the significance of normal and abnormal mechanisms using examples of common diseases (LO K1-3).

A case study approach will be used in seminars to enable students to discuss and gain a deeper understanding of the lecture material (LO K4, S2).

A laboratory-based practical will enhance the students competence in the laboratory and generate a suitable set of data that can be used for assessment purposes (LO S3).

Two of the seminars will be used to introduce the students to academic posters and then form peer support groups to discuss poster design and their construction to help prepare the student for the assessment.

Students will be expected to use independent study time to read around the subject to gain a greater understanding of the topic (LO S1).

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination601A40In person invigilated handwritten essay), choice of 1 from 2 questions & Inspera digital exam Quiz format max 60 questions. Part 1 Inspera, Part 2 written, exams to be scheduled together. Inspera to be open for the duration of the examination (120 mins)
Digital Examination601A40In person invigilated Inspera digital exam Quiz format max 60 questions & invigilated written essay, choice of 1 from 2 questions. Part 1 Inspera, Part 2 written, exams to be scheduled together. Inspera to be open for duration of examination (120 mins)
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Poster1M20The students will construct and present an academic poster based on the practical they carry out in the module, equivalent word count <1000 (in person)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

There will be two assessments - a practical report and an exam.

Exam:
The quiz format and written examination will test the student's knowledge and understanding of taught material and additional reading.

Practical Report:
Students will construct an academic poster to present the methodologies, findings and data analysis of the practical carried out during the module.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.