BMS2012 : Clinical Immunology and Viral Pathogens
- Offered for Year: 2020/21
- Module Leader(s): Professor Debra Bevitt
- Lecturer: Professor Robert Hirt, Dr Vanessa Armstrong, Dr Simon Whitehall, Professor John Kirby, Dr Robert Yeo, Dr Christopher Bacon, Dr Andrew Knight
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
• To develop an appreciation of the part played by the immune system in a range of human diseases
•To build upon the students’ knowledge of basic virology and develop an understanding of the biology of pathogenic viruses
Outline Of Syllabus
The module considers the role of the immune system in human disease and is divided into two strands:
Clinical Immunology:
The first part of the module considers immunity in the context of infectious disease with particular reference to inflammation and immunodeficiency. The second part of the module considers how immune responses can cause disease with reference to allergic disease, autoimmunity, cancers of the immune system and transplantation. Finally the module describes the diagnostic techniques currently used in clinical immunology, immunosuppressive drugs and the potential of immunomodulation and immunotherapy in the treatment of a number of conditions.
Virology:
Viral Pathogens considers the ways in which viruses cause disease. It examines the mechanisms by which viruses enter host cells, replicate within them and are finally released and transmitted from man to man and from animals to man. The host response to viral infection is described and the outcomes are considered. Specific examples, including coronavirus, hepatitis B virus, herpes viruses and Ebola virus are described. The role of viruses in development of some cancers is discussed, including the role of human papilloma virus in cervical cancer. Finally retroviruses are discussed, including HIV and retroviruses used in gene therapy.
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 26 | 1:00 | 26:00 | Non-sync online via (Recaps/short recordings/formative activities/quizzes/problem solving questions |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | PIP - Poster Presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | Poster preparations, PIE practice and revision for online exams |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | PIP - Intro to module assessment/summary of taught material/PIE assessment feedback |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | PIP - Scientific paper interpretation workshop |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Sync online - Drop in session for student queries related to the taught material |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 111:30 | 111:30 | Includes reading and writing up lecture notes |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Sync online - introduction to module, full module cohort in attendance |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lecture materials will provide students with key information and guidance for additional reading.
Poster presentation and paper interpretation workshop develop interpersonal communication and team work skills, increase understanding of lecture material and primary literature by discussion with peers and teachers and help prepare students for final exam. Module talk and seminars will introduce students to the module teaching and assessment format. Drop-in Q&A surgeries will allow students to discuss areas of the curriculum with lectures to consolidate learning. Private study will allow students to extend and reinforce their knowledge and understanding through reading of text books, journal articles and use of other recommended resources (eg online).
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
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 | 80 | Online 24 hour take home paper. 50% short answer (answer 2 each with 300 words) 50% paper interpretation exercise (1250 words) |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code | Module Title | Semester | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMN2012 | Clinical Immunology and Viral Pathogens | 1 | Sister module delivered at NuMed. To be timetable at 9:30 am and not on a Friday. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | 10 | Poster Presentation (10 mins) - team present a poster summarising experimental data from a scientific research paper |
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | 10 | Guided interpretation of a primary research paper (max 1200 words) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The short answer question section of the examination will assess the students knowledge and understanding of taught material and additional reading; the scientific paper interpretation section of the examination will assess the students ability to use their knowledge and understanding of the topics to data presented in a scientific research paper.
The poster presentation assesses information literacy, computer literacy, ability to interpret scientific papers, planning and organisation skills, group working skills and oral presentation skills. The scientific paper interpretation exercise assesses ability to interpret data presented in a scientific research paper and will prepare students for the scientific paper interpretation element of the examination.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMS2012's Timetable