BMS2002 : Cell Biology and Disease
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Alessio Iannetti
- Lecturer: Dr Josana Rodriguez Sanchez, Dr Christina Elliott, Dr Andrew Knight, Professor Jonathan Higgins, Dr Damian Parry
- 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
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.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | In person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Lab-based practical - In person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Seminars - S1-S5. In person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Essay writing guidance session - in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Feedback session on poster preparation from the material gathered in the practical - Online |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 166:30 | 166:30 | Writing up lecture notes, revision and general reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
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).
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 40 | In 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 exam (120 mins) |
| Digital Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 40 | In 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 exam (120 mins) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster | 1 | M | 20 | The students will construct and present an academic poster based on the practical they carry out in the module, equivalent word count |
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.
FMS Schools offering Semester One modules available as ‘Study Abroad’ will, where required, provide an alternative assessment time for examinations that take place after the Winter vacation. Coursework with submission dates after the Winter vacation will either be submitted at an earlier date or at the same time remotely. The assessment format will not normally vary from the original to ensure learning outcomes are met. Any changes to the original format must meet module learning outcomes and be approved by the school.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMS2002's Timetable