MMB8004 : Ageing & Health
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Catherine Dotchin
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Claire McDonald, Dr Tiago da Silva Costa
- Lecturer: Dr Sarah Richardson, Dr Antoneta Granic, Ms Hilary Cox, Professor Miles Witham, Dr Robert Barber, Dr Karen Suetterlin, Professor Nicola Pavese, Dr Daniel Erskine, Dr Christopher Hurst, Dr Oliver Shannon, Dr Faye Cooles, Professor Richard Walker, Dr David Cousins, Dr Lisa Shaw, Professor Raj Kalaria
- 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 | |
Aims
The module aims to introduce the student to the current issues and research in the field of ageing and health by presenting a state-of-the-art knowledge and experience from clinical experts and researchers specialising in the health of older people. It is a review in-depth of clinical aspects of health in older age and is appropriate to clinicians and non-clinicians alike. This module is compulsory for students wishing to qualify with an MRes in Ageing and Health (4814F). The two modules place emphasis on interactions between the biological and clinical aspects of ageing at many levels. This module may be taken by students wishing to specialise in Ageing and Health or as a stand-alone 20 credit module for the MRes and other programmes.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module includes lectures and seminars from leading experts on:
• Epidemiology of ageing and age-associated impairment
• Physical health
• Stroke, neuroanatomy and cerebrovascular anatomy
• Movement disorders
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• Nutrition
• Falls and syncope
• Nutrition and related factors in ageing
• Sarcopenia
• Frailty
• Multiple long-term conditions in clinical practice
• Mental Health
• Dementia, including neuroimaging techniques
• Depression
• Interactions of chronic diseases, ageing and health, including from an international perspective
• Interactive sessions on critical appraisal, oral presentation skills, abstract writing, writing a bio sketch and giving an elevator pitch
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 36:00 | 36:00 | Summative assessment: Identification of paper, critical appraisal & preparation of oral presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Summative assessment: preparation for Summative essay (poster slide and notes) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 17 | 1:00 | 17:00 | Present in person (PIP) teaching of core module topics |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Formative assessment: Prep of 250 word abstract for paper from which original abstract redacted |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 6 | 4:00 | 24:00 | Non-synchronous online Canvas collaboration tasks: professional activities (preparation of biosketch and CV resume); preparation for seminars (critical appraisal frameworks, paper reading and abstract deconstruction) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Present in person (PIP): Oral presentation - 4 sessions to run in parallel |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Present in person (PIP) seminars - critical appraisal, abstract writing, creating poster presentations, oral presentation practice |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP) Introduction outline of module aims and assessments, overview of Canvas and confirmation of functionality of remote teaching platform (session recorded) Elevator pitch activity. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Preparing notes on lectures, including reviewing recorded material |
| Total | 191:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Present in person lectures will provide students with current specialist knowledge from clinical experts in the field of ageing and health, with materials made available in advance and opportunity to ask questions during the lecture session. Lectures will be supported by access to pre-recorded lecture material and lecture transcripts. Seminars will complement knowledge by building on core research skills such as critical appraisal, abstract writing, essay writing and oral presentations. Aligned with Flexible teaching, group online tasks (shared work on abstract preparation, making and discussing posters) have been included.
In addition to specialist knowledge, the key skills of critical appraisal, data interpretation and presentation will be practised with direct support in advance of assessments. Tutorials and online support will encourage the students to reflect on their learning and well as encouraging collaboration and teamwork. All of these activities relate directly to the learning outcomes above.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | 40 | Present in person Oral Presentation - 10 minutes with 5 minutes for questions |
| Written exercise | 1 | A | 60 | Single power point slide “poster” submission and associated notes |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Preparation of a scientific abstract for a paper (250 words) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The written exercise (summative) tests the student’s knowledge, comprehension and ability to discuss a subject critically and concisely; poster subjects are set on topics covered by lecture materials with wider reading encouraged during preparations.
The summative oral presentation of a paper tests the student’s critical appraisal skills, their ability to communicate data to an audience and answer questions.
The formative abstract writing assignment tests critical appraisal skills, requiring focused identification of salient findings and the ability to succinctly express these.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MMB8004's Timetable