MOS8001 : Oral Microbiology (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Chien-Yi Chang
- Lecturer: Dr Christopher Nile, Mr James Allison, Dr Alessandra Da Silva Dantas, Dr Mark Gidley, Professor Nicholas Jakubovics, Professor Robert Hirt
- Owning School: Dental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aims of this module are:
1. To introduce the students to the oral microbes and microbiome, and their roles in the aetiopathogenesis of oral diseases and infections.
2. To provide the students with knowledge of the latest research advances which have developed our understanding of the oral microbes and microbiome and their role in health and the aetiopathogenesis of oral diseases.
3. To provide knowledge on the latest potential therapeutic modalities targeting the oral microbes and microbiome and their applicability for the treatment/management of oral diseases.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module will teach the fundamental principles and concepts of oral microbiology and how research has driven our understanding of oral infectious disease aetiopathogenesis and its impact on clinical dentistry.
Specifically, the module will consist of the following:
The oral microbiome: An introduction
The role of the oral microbiome in periodontal disease
The role of the oral microbiome in endodontic infections
The oral microbiome and biofilms on implanted devices
The role of the oral microbiome in soft tissue diseases
The role of fungi and virus in oral health and disease
The role of parasites in oral health and disease
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 100:00 | 100:00 | Laboratory report, Research essay, oral presentation |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 7 | 1:00 | 7:00 | Online pre-recorded lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | Advance reading for practicals |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 7 | 4:00 | 28:00 | Advance reading for research seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 4:00 | 8:00 | Lab present in person, practical |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 7 | 2:00 | 14:00 | Present in person research seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 16:00 | 16:00 | Additional reading and reflection on lab practical and data analysis. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 7 | 3:00 | 21:00 | Preparing lecture and seminar notes |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Our teaching philosophy focusses on delivery of topical knowledge in the form of recorded lectures that students can watch repeatedly. This diminishes the time spent on taking lecture notes and prepares the students better for independent study of the seminar material (see below).
Each small group teaching session (seminar) will involve discussion of key papers in an area of dental research. The students will be required to read and critique the papers before each session. In addition, a recorded lecture will accompany each session which the student will required to engage with in advance. The seminars will then involve ‘Oxbridge’ style discussion of the papers which will be student-led with a staff facilitator. Together with self-directed reading and study, this will enable the students to critically appraise research in the field and the benefits and limitations of current advances in dentistry.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | 75 | 2,000-word essay related to a topic relevant to the small group teaching sessions. |
| Oral Examination | 2 | M | 25 | Present in person: 10 min, max 10 slide PowerPoint presentation on a key manuscript related to biological therapies for treatment of oral diseases with 5 min discussion |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | Structured (manuscript style) write up of the laboratory practical |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Summative assessments
Essay:– The essay relates to the small group teaching sessions (seminars) in which students have practised their analytical, critical thinking and presentation skills. The essay will assess the ability of students to critique the applicability of using biological therapies for the management/treatment of oral inflammatory disease and infection and to communicate theories and opinions in a written format.
Oral presentation: – a maximum 10 slide PowerPoint presentation distilling information from a key manuscript relevant to the subject matter. The presentation will be no more than 10 minutes followed by a 10 minute discussion, assessed by examiners. This will allow students to develop their oral presentation skills and asses their ability to verbally communicate complex scientific data and theories to their peers.
Formative assessment
Laboratory practical report: – The lab report will be formative and will be written in the form of a short manuscript using real data generated by the students in a practical class. This will provide the students with the opportunity to develop their research writing and presentation skills and provide them with an insight into the manuscript writing process. This will be beneficial for their final dissertation project and formative feedback will be provided on the submission.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MOS8001's Timetable