BIC3000 : Biochemistry of Disease (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Craig Robson
- Co-Module Leader: Professor Steven Clifford
- Lecturer: Professor James Allan, Dr Catherine Arden, Professor Neil Perkins, Professor Julie Irving, Dr Jon Sellars
- 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 aim of this module is to
1) provide an understanding of the biochemistry and clinical aspects of a number of chronic human diseases.
2) explain how knowledge of the biochemistry of a disorder can be used to develop rational drug design for its treatment.
3) inform students about the genetic and molecular basis of cancer and its treatment
4) introduce current technologies used in cancer detection, diagnostics and molecular pathology and allow students to explore how these techniques are being applied to advance our understanding of cancer
Outline Of Syllabus
Topics covered by this module include:
- Background to the biochemistry and molecular biology of disease.
- Cancer as a multi-process genetic disease including the role of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes and
failures in the DNA repair mechanisms in causing cancer
- G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling and disease.
- The role of the NF-kB signalling pathway in cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Case study Information Session |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 0:30 | 2:00 | Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 174:00 | 174:00 | Writing up lecture notes, revision and general reading. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will provide the students with essential information to achieve learning outcomes.
Seminars will provide additional information and develop the student’s critical skills.
The seminars focus on major topics covered in the lectures, providing in-depth knowledge of the topics and opportunities for students to discuss topic areas where they require additional information or clarification is required.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 60 | Invigilated closed book exam: The paper is divided into 2 sections A & B relating to 2 strands (Chronic diseases and Cancer). Students select one essay topic from each section. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 40 | Case study (max 2000 words) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Closed book exam essay: this will test a student’s knowledge and understanding of the subject and the ability of the students to integrate material from different parts of the course.
Case study: In this case study, the students will analyse data, from which they will draw a research-based conclusion. They will interpret experimental results and discuss the relevance of the research findings as they could be applied to clinical implementation. The case study is an authentic assessment that tests students’ ability to consolidate their understanding of a subject area, demonstrate critical thinking and reading in the subject area. The overall assessment strategy will provide evidence that all intended knowledge and skills learning outcomes have been met.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BIC3000's Timetable