This is a core module for the Foundation Degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences. It introduces biomolecules commonly found in cells, tissues and organ systems that make up the human body. The module is designed to give you a detailed knowledge of how the human body works with particular reference to disease states when appropriate. The delivery relies on Canvas to provide the majority of the background information with tutorials supporting discussion of this material.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Core concepts are discussed in keynote lectures by the module team. Lectures will introduce topics in accordance with the aims above and guide students in directed reading in preparation for feedback. Workshops/tutorials will involve discussion of the subjects covered in the lectures and lead students to their own private reading. Practical sessions will be set experiments in the laboratory, one practical per semester, with a report to be completed during the practical session. The practical in teaching block 2 will involve student peer assessment to guide a student's learning in practical report preparation. Furthermore, the student peer assessment will be moderated by the module leader to ensure consistency in marking. Students will be directed to further reading to support their learning. The blended learning approach taken in this module facilitates the development of independent learning key skills. Background material is presented through Canvas with tutorial and revision sessions being used to support learning and discussion of this material.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures laboratory practicals workshops revision tests/tutorials | 44 7 10 20 |
| Guided independent study | Directed (essay preparation and practical report writing) and private study (lecture note consolidation/revision) | 219 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Background material is presented through Canvas with tutorial sessions being used to support learning and discussion of this material.
1: Two laboratory practical reports
Report writing is an essential part of learning within the higher educational scientific subject area. The portfolio of two practical reports (10% each) required to be written within this module as summative assessments should, combined with appropriate feedback during the practical session and following report submission, provide the student with ample report writing practice. Each report will be a maximum of 800 words, excluding references.
2: In module assessment
There will be two in module assessments; the first will be formative, and the second summative. Both of these will be in the form of an in class test. These tests will provide evidence of student engagement with the module and allow the student to gauge their progression during the 2 teaching blocks before they sit the final end of year examination. Both the formative and summative assessments will hopefully highlight any weaknesses in student knowledge/understanding at an early stage, thereby allowing appropriate action to be taken, as well as feeding forward to the end of module exam.
3: End of module exam
There will be a 3 hour end of module exam. The use of essay style questions in the final exam will assess amongst other learning outcomes the student's ability to demonstrate that they can describe how the functioning of selected individual organ systems is integrated in the whole person
Level 5 Foundation Degree students are required to pass a synoptic OSCE style assessment and a synoptic calculations test before they can transfer direct to Level 5 MPharm. This is the same requirement as for Level 4 MPharm students. These assessments are to assure that even at this Level the student is demonstrating the appropriate skills, knowledge, understanding and attributes to become a future pharmacist. Some of the learning in this module feeds forward into these synoptic assessments.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Describe the structure, properties and functions of biomolecules | In class test Final exam |
| 2) relate with mechanistic detail, structure of tissues and cells to their function | In class test Final exam |
| 3) Demonstrate report writing and independent learning skills | Practical reports |
| 4) describe how the functioning of individual organ systems is integrated in the whole body | In class test Final exam |
| 5) relate human physiological systems to pathophysiological contexts | In class test Final exam |
| 6) perform physiological experiments, clearly and accurately record experimental data and critically interpret the results | Practical reports Feeds forward to synoptic calculations assessment (MPharm transfer only) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Written examination | End of module exam | 60% |
| Written examination | In class test (In module assessment) | 20% |
| Coursework | Portfolio of practical reports (2 x 10%) (word count 800 words maximum, excluding references) | 20% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module. All students are subject to Fitness to Practice regulations in addition to the University Students Disciplinary procedures. To progress onto level 5 MPharm, students must pass both the module and the end of module exam component of each module.
Goodman SR. Medical Cell Biology 3rd Ed, 2008 Academic Press (Elsevier)
Norman RI and Lodwick D. Flesh and Bones of Medical Cell Biology 2007 (Elsevier)
Stryer, Biochemistry 6th Edition, W.H. 7th Ed Freeman and Company, New York, 2011.
Martini, Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology 9th Ed, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2011
Boron, W.F. and Boulpaep, E.L., Medical Physiology, Saunders, 2003
Pollard, Earnshaw, Cell Biology, Saunders, 2002.
Kapit, Macey, Meisami, The Physiology Coloring Book, Harper Collins Publishers, Cambridge, 1987.
Alberts, Bray, Lewis, Raff, Roberts, Watson, Molecular Biology of the Cell, Garland Publishing Inc., New York, 1987.
Aidley, D.J., The physiology of excitable cells. Cambridge University Press,1998
Berne, R.M. and Levy, M.N., Physiology. Mosby, 2004
Datta, S., Renal and urinary systems. Mosby, 2003
Bourke, S. J., Lecture notes on respiratory medicine. Blackwell, 2003
Berne, R.M. and Levy, M.N., Cardiovascular Physiology. Mosby, 2001