BMD3016 : Microbiota and Pathogens in Fundamental Research and the Clinic (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Robert Hirt
- Co-Module Leader: Dr David Bolam
- Lecturer: Professor Christopher Stewart, Professor Janet Quinn, Dr Anjam Khan, Dr Carys Watts, Dr Kate Beckham, Professor Jeffrey Pearson
- 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 develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental importance in human health and disease of host-microbe interactions at mucosal surfaces with a focus the following four key points:
Fundamentals of mucosal immunology of the digestive, urogenital and the respiratory tracts
The role of the gut microbiota in both health and disease, including selected common chronic diseases
A selection of common bacterial, microbial eukaryotic and viral pathogens and how they interact with the human microbiota and immune system
A selection of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches to combat microbial pathogens
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will cover the following topics:
The multifaceted and ubiquitous importance of the gut microbiota in human heath
Fundamentals of microbiota-mucosal immune system interactions and their importance in resistance to pathogens
The use of comparative genomics and related omics in fundamental and clinical research to study the causal links between the microbiota and pathogens with selected acute and chronic diseases
Contrast the biology of selected extracellular and intracellular pathogens and the corresponding mucosal immunological responses to these pathogens
Selected pathogenic bacteria, fungi, parasitic protozoa and viruses infecting the digestive, urogenital or respiratory tracts
Vaccination strategies and drug treatment options and the challenges of drug resistance and development for selected common pathogens
The use of AI in research, with a focus on literature search and interpretation of complex data
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 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Seminar 2. Feedback on coursework and general Q&A session. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Seminar 1: Module overview |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | Workshop (computer lab). AI and literature search workshops on selected topics relating to microbiota and pathogens and data analysis |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 171:00 | 171:00 | Includes: Assessment preparation and completion, directed research and reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will provide students with key information (K1-3).
Workshops will develop students’ skills in literature search, critically interpret the research literature and contribute to increased understanding of the material through discussion of journal articles (S1-2). Workshops will also include Q&A sessions, and will help the student in preparing for coursework and formal examination (S3).
Seminars will provide module overview, coursework feedback and further opportunity for Q&As
Guided Independent study will allow students to extend their knowledge through reading of journal articles and other recommended references required for the writing of the short essay and figure/table generation (S2, S3).
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 | closed-book 2 essays questions from a choice of 4, 60 mins per question |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 40 | Short essay/report: Open book essay (2000 words) based on whole group activity that aims to test and develop critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as knowledge and understanding of what has been taught and practiced during the workshops |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Essay (exam and course-work) : The essay writing, including compulsory generation of 2 illustrations and use of 1 table to synthetize data and complex concepts will test students' knowledge, understanding, written communication and illustration generation skills.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMD3016's Timetable