MDSA20240 Principles of Microbiology, Genetic Disease and Neoplasia

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module forms part of the core curriculum for the Graduate Entry into Medicine (GEM) Programme. The course covers the basic principles of microbiology, medical genetics and neoplasia. The module gives an introduction to the fundamentals of medical microbiology and the pathogenesis and diagnosis of viral and bacterial infections. It also covers the basic principles of medical genetics and explores the clinical consequences of alterations to our DNA. There is also an introduction into the molecular basis of neoplasia and the characteristics and progression of tumours. This module provides the foundations in the principles of microbiology, medical genetics and neoplasia which is fundamental to your later studies.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the mechanisms and clinical consequences of abnormalities of chromosome number and structure.
2. Identify inheritance patterns and demonstrate the implications for other family members with risk calculations.
3. Demonstrate the consequences of specific disease causing variants and epigenetic alterations in selected inherited conditions.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the genetic susceptibility to common diseases
5. Demonstrate an awareness of the role of genomics in medicine and the use of molecular techniques in the diagnosis of inherited conditions and cancer.
6. Describe the structure of prokaryotic cells and define the function of its structures.
7. Discuss the means by which microorganisms exist in association with humans and their environment and discuss how they gain access to tissues and cause disease.
8. Explain the epidemiology of infectious diseases and describe the basis of prevention and treatment of microbial diseases.
9. Appreciate the role of the microbiologist and the laboratory in the diagnosis and management of microbial disease
10. Distinguish benign and malignant tumours (grossly and microscopically) with particular consideration to the differences between epithelial, soft tissue and haematological cancers.
11. Understand the molecular changes in tumours (cell cycle, proliferation, genomic integrity) and the principles of invasion and metastasis.
12. Discuss the differences between sporadic and hereditary cancers (the roles of proto oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes) and demonstrate the chemical, physical and viral causes of cancer.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

3
Seminar (or Webinar)

3
Specified Learning Activities

5
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

115
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The main teaching and learning strategies adopted in this module are lectures, clinical seminars and small group case based tutorials.

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Molecular Basis Life&Disease (PATH20130)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Assignment Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

25
Examination: MCQ and SAQ 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

75

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

1. PATHOLOGY: Robbins Basic Pathology, Kumar, Abbas, & Aster 10th Ed, 2017, ISBN: 9780323353175
2. MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY: Sherris Medical Microbiology, Ryan and Ray McGraw Hill, 7th Ed 2018 ISBN 978-1-259-85980-9

Supplemental Reading
• New Clinical Genetics by Read and Donnai. Publishers-Scion, 4th Ed (2020) ISBN 9781911510703