Postgraduate Course: Science and Biology of Fungi, Parasites and Prions (BIME11115)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course aims to provide the foundational understanding of the basic biology of fungi, parasites and prions that may cause disease in humans, and how they cause disease. |
| Course description |
This course will focus on major parasitic, fungal and prion diseases of humans. Subjects covered by week include protozoan parasites, helminth parasites, fungal infections and prions. Parasitic diseases covered include malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, tapeworms. Important fungal infections for example candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis,,histoplasmosis and pneumocystis pneumonia.
This course will be taught through a mixture of video and text based lectures about parasitic, fungal and prion diseases. Case studies will be used to examine how infections were diagnosed, clinical outcomes and treatment. Students are expected to discuss the content online through discussion boards.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Printing own course materials |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
| Course Start Date |
07/08/2017 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
98 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Formal summative written assessment will constitute 60% of the student's grade. Online assessment will incorporate a variety of activities will constitute 40% of their overall course grade and is taken to represent a formative assessment of learning throughout the programme.
Assessment will be based on various online activities including written submissions (web forms), discussion fora and reflective review. Extensive use of selective release (requiring the student to complete one task before being permitted to proceed to the next) technologies will be made to facilitate interactive and dynamic online assignments. |
| Feedback |
Summative assessment consists of one written assessment, worth 60% of the total mark, and an online element worth 40%. In each case, comprehensive written feedback is provided individually within 15 working days of the assessment deadline. Students are expected to reflect on their feedback, to seek additional clarification if appropriate, and to use this to improve on future assignments of a similar nature.
Formative assessment consists of discussion around what is expected of each piece of assessed work for the course. This is conducted in a discussion forum for all students to contribute to and provides an opportunity to clearly understand the key requirements for each assignment before submission. Any student can post questions about the assignment and a response will be posted on the discussion board by the course tutor within 3 working days. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of basic biology, including structure, function, genetics, and pathogenesis, of major fungal and parasite pathogens, and prions.
- Recognise and apply the key principles of microbiological and clinical classification of fungi, parasites and prions.
- Describe local and global epidemiology of major disease-causing fungi, parasites, and prions, and their disease associations.
- Recognise and apply own enhanced skills in using scientific literature, critical appraisal and generation of high impact publications.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Graduate attributes: Skills and abilities in Research and Enquiry
To be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding of international animal health issues
To be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge their knowledge and understanding by keeping abreast of current developments as part of a regular routine of self motivated continuing professional development
They will have been taught the skills on where to search for up to date information that is relevant to their working environment and academic interests.
To have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these
On graduating our students will be able to recognise the importance of reflecting on their learning experiences and be aware of any limitations and how to address these.
Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
To be open to new ideas, methods and ways of thinking. This is encouraged by the diverse portfolio of programmes that the graduate may have chosen to include in their learning experience, challenging themselves both within their current sphere and also outside their normal comfort zone.
To be creative and imaginative thinkers, a feature that will have been enhanced by the variety of assessment methods though which they have been challenges to present, re-imagine, or discuss their learning materials.
Part-time, online learners will have learnt to be able to identify processes and strategies for learning. There is no rigid structure to their learning environment, beyond the established deadlines for continuous assessment. It is for the student to adapt their own circumstances to meet the challenges for this programme, continuous reflection; self-evaluation and self-improvement are fundamental skills in this process. This ensures an independent approach to assimilating knowledge and the knowledge of where to find relevant, additional resources and information.
The self selective student cohort, are all working professionals with a clear vision of where this qualification will place them within their own career pathways. The pace of learning and the support of a similarly minded cohort help ensure that these goals are achieved in a sustainable manner.
Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Communication
To make effective use of written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding. While oral skills are encouraged, until we are certain that the use of these technologies in our online programmes will not prohibit the contribution of any student due to their geographical circumstances, this suite of technologies has not been fully implemented.
The use of communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others is vital in these online programmes, the vast majority of information is text based and students must be able to clearly present their thoughts, ideas and the logical progression of a discussion to one another.
Seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness. While on programme students are also encourage to participate in peer review, providing open and honest feedback in a clear and supportive manner. This open dialogue is vital in furthering the understanding of how their own performance might be improved.
Recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments
Use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection.
Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal Effectiveness
The development of confidence in their own skill set, and to appreciate and use their talents constructively, this is taken to include the ability to make decisions based on their understandings and their personal and intellectual autonomy
To create and harness collaborative opportunities through the development of professional networks, and knowledge of potential funding streams and other financial opportunities
To be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another
To understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues though membership of a global community of practise. This community encourages students to work together to capitalise on their different thinking, experience and skills in order to progress their knowledge and understanding.
To work with, manage, and lead others in ways that value their diversity and equality and that encourage their contribution to the organisation and the wider community |
| Keywords | fungi,parasites and prions,basic biology,pathogenesis |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Ewan Macleod
Tel: 0131 242 9379
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Sarah Fraser
Tel: (0131 6)50 3289
Email: |
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