Please note: there may be some adjustments to the teaching arrangements published in the course catalogue for 2020-21. Given current circumstances related to the Covid-19 pandemic it is anticipated that some usual arrangements for teaching on campus will be modified to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff on campus; further adjustments may also be necessary, or beneficial, during the course of the academic year as national requirements relating to management of the pandemic are revised.

Translational Biomarkers MED5413

  • Academic Session: 2022-23
  • School: School of Medicine Dentistry and Nursing
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Available to Erasmus Students: No

Short Description

This course will enable students to develop a critical understanding of the development, validation and use of biomarkers in medical research. Students will explore the practical issues in the use of biomarkers and the translational value for disease prevention or clinical management of disease.

Timetable

This course will be delivered over a 5 week block with ca.5 hours of seminars/practical classes per week.

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Written Assignment 80%

The student will be asked to provide a written assignment comprising of an in depth review (with evidence tables and critical appraisal) of the methodologies and experimental designs used in translational studies of biomarkers.

 

Reflective Notebook 20%

The student will also be asked to produce a reflective notebook based on attendance and participation in seminars and labs.

Course Aims

This course aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the development, validation and use of biomarkers in biomedical research; with particular emphasis on the practical issues and translational value for disease prevention or clinical management of diseases.

The course also aims to develop the students' proficiency in the analysis and critical evaluation of the data in the literature in different subject areas allied to clinical medicine.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically discuss the choice of biomarker for a defined biomedical research question and appraise practical issues relative to measurement in biological samples.

2. Critically evaluate the research data in the literature that rely on the use of biomarkers, with emphasis on the evaluation of the translational value of the findings.

3. Critically appraise the literature to determine key steps in the choice, development, validation and implementation of biomarkers in biomedical research.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.