BGM3039 : Medical Biotechnology
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Neil Keegan
- Lecturer: Professor Christopher Baldwin, Professor Kevin Marchbank, Professor David Elliott, Dr Andrew Pike, Dr Philip Manning, Dr Bill Scott, Dr Andrew Knight
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 85 student places
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
This module aims to:
1) inform students of the range of therapeutic molecules and diagnostic tools developed by the biotechnology industry over the last few years.
2) explain the mechanisms whereby these therapeutic molecules and diagnostic tools work.
3) identify the methods whereby these therapies and diagnostic tools are produced.
4) identify and explore new and novel areas of research in the biotechnology industry, including regenerative medicine and nanotechnology.
Outline Of Syllabus
The use of therapeutic proteins, including expression systems and importance of glycosylation. Applied immunology, how therapeutic antibodies can be selected and engineered for use as therapeutics. Further applied immunology relating to complement, chronic diseases caused by complement failure and potential therapeutic approaches. Vaccines, including live vaccines, recombinant vaccines, conjugate vaccines, cancer vaccines and Covid-19 vaccines. Antisense technology, RNAi, for use as therapeutics and recognition molecules in diagnostics. Diagnostics and biosensors including electrochemical sensors, enzyme and antibody detection systems, cutting edge new and novel areas in biosensor and diagnostic research including microsystems. Nanotechnology, the future potential of nanoscale objects, such as DNA scaffolds in electronics and sensing. A view into current developments in regenerative medicine research, specifically organ transplantation and tissue engineering.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 40 | 1:00 | 40:00 | Assessment preparation and completion, including revision and extra reading for assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 26 | 1:00 | 26:00 | In person - Lectures will be used as primary method of knowledge transfer |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | In person x 1 seminar - class divided into groups and students will attend one session each |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 81 | 1:00 | 81:00 | Updating lecture notes with extra knowledge from reading references & wider lit directed reading |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 52 | 1:00 | 52:00 | Reflective learning. Writing up lecture notes and understanding basic material provided |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will provide students with key information, relating to knowledge outcomes (K1-5).
Seminar will encourage critical interpretation and synthesis of information through discussion (S1).
Private study will allow students to extend their knowledge through reading of journal articles and other recommended references (K1-5)(S3). Preparation for the timed essay will support the knowledge and skills outcomes, but most importantly provide the students with experience of a pressurised written exam condition in preparation for the final invigilated examination (K1-5; S1-3).
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 | 70 | In person Invigilated exam. 2 essay questions to be answered from a choice of 4. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 30 | In person Invigilated timed essay (1 hour) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The final exam provides evidence of knowledge and understanding of the topics (K1-5; S1-3). The timed essay and seminar tests the analytical and research skills of the students as well as developing their written communication skills which helps prepare them for the examination (S1-3).
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/
- BGM3039's Timetable