Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Cardiovascular disease is the single biggest contributor to death and is one of the most important areas of research in the world. This module gives students a detailed understanding of the development and function of the heart and insights into the dysfunctional processes that underlie many cardiovascular diseases.

The module will be taught by scientific and clinical research experts within three research Institutes of the Faculty of Medical Sciences (Biosciences Institute, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Population and Health Sciences Institute) giving a broad perspective to the topic rooted in current state-of-the-art research knowledge.

The fundamentals of vascular and cardiac biology from molecular, genetic, cellular, tissue, organ and whole-body perspectives will be described. Examples of model experimental systems for the study of cardiovascular physiology and disease will be given throughout the module. These will be complemented by descriptions of in vivo measurements of important cardiovascular parameters in humans, as well as discussions of procedures for disease identification and possibilities for translation of research findings towards improved diagnosis and treatments of cardiovascular disease. Interactive sessions will focus on how to critique papers and discuss unravelling the genetics of congenital heart defects. Lecturers will draw on examples from their own current areas of research activity.

The module is compulsory for students wishing to proceed to an MRes in Cardiovascular Science in Health & Disease and will also be of interest to students wishing to attain an understanding of cardiovascular function and disease and/or progress towards a research career in this important topic.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module will cover cardiovascular health and disease throughout the life course, and it will include the following topics:

•       The key processes of heart development and the different genetic, cellular and tissue contributions.
• The genetic and environmental influences on the development of congenital heart disease.
• The mechanisms of cardiac electrical excitation coupling.
• Applications of Electrocardiology in clinical and research settings.
• The role of genetics, senescence and vascular endothelial cells in cardiac physiology, ageing and disease including myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease.
• Age-related diseases including atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, development of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, myocardial ischaemia and heart failure.
• Current research avenues for improving treatment of cardiovascular related diseases.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module the students should be able to:

•       Explain the key processes of heart development and describe the different genetic, cellular and tissue contributions.
•       Describe the complexities of congenital heart disease in relation to genetic and environmental influences and how these can be studied.
• Describe the mechanisms of cardiac electrical excitation from cells to tissue and organ, and discuss how remodelling of such processes leads to arrhythmias.
• Describe how computational models can be used as teaching and research tools in cardiac physiology.
• Describe different processes involved in cardiovascular disease in relation to genetics, senescence, and vascular endothelial cells.
• Describe the processes involved in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
• Describe and discuss the suitability of specific in vivo measurement techniques of cardiovascular function including ECG and MRI in health and in relation to specific diseases.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module the students should have the ability to perform the following:

• Develop well-structured written essays addressing key questions related to cardiovascular structure and function in both health and disease.
• Apply their knowledge to critically analyse and evaluate scientific and clinical research literature in the field of cardiovascular research.
• Deliver oral presentations on topics pertaining to cardiovascular structure and function in health and disease.
• Engage in discussions with their peers about fundamental molecular, cellular and tissue processes that regulate cardiac development and cardiac health and disease, including current treatment options and future therapeutic advancements.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Knowledge & understanding are obtained from lectures and information available in advance online allowing directed learning. Lectures will be present in person and a recording and relevant information will be posted online following the lecture. Peer discussions will be encouraged. Adequate time for student reading, preparation of assessments, and reflective learning builds on these skills.

Comprehension, intellectual and critical appraisal skills are acquired as part of the discussions during lectures and in preparation for, and participation in, the two summative in-course assessments (Essay and the Oral Presentation) and a formative assessment to develop communication skills (graphical abstract).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The summative in-course essay assessment tests the students knowledge base and critical thinking and analysis of published data, gained through teaching and lecture material and their broader comprehension of the topic from self-directed learning.

The summative oral presentation assessment comprehensively tests the student's transferable skills in communication - visual (clear sides) and verbal (clarity of thought) - and ability to critically appraise a published paper of choice and contextualise the content in the context of taught content and published scientific and clinical data.

The formative assessment of a graphical abstract from a list of chosen papers. This will test the student’s ability to present the main findings of an article in a concise, pictorial and visual summary.

General Notes

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