Bioscience For Global Health (6 UC quarter units) Aims of the Course Infection Biology Aims The course describes the process of infection by the major human pathogens viruses, bacteria, protozoans and helminths; the immune response to them and associated pathogen evasion mechanisms; and how these infections are diagnosed and controlled by vaccination and chemotherapy. Cardiovascular Disease and Fitness Aims This course will examine how understanding disease pathology in the cardiovascular system can lead to the development of new or improved therapeutic agents. It will also examine the cellular mechanisms that cause the heart to pump, and cover how regular physical exercise improves the contractile function of the heart. Finally, the course will examine the relationship between physical activity and public health and stimulate a discussion of the association between health, cardiovascular function, and physical activity and exercise. Stem Cells Course Aims The course aims to inform students about the latest developments in stem cell technology related to medicine. The student will be introduced to stem cells, stem cell biochemistry, and regenerative medicine and then engage with issues surrounding stem cells (ethics and regulations). Oncology Aims The course aims to provide students with a broad understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and metastasis, together with clinical aspects of cancer treatment. In addition, to encourage the development of skills relating to analysis, discussion and interpretation of data Overall Intended Learning Outcomes Intended Learning Outcomes of Infection Biology Course Discuss the impact of infectious diseases globally today. Describe classical infectious diseases of man and animals (e.g. malaria, trypanosomes influenza and tuberculosis). Discuss emerging pathogens such as those that cause Zika and AIDS. Be familiar with the most important helminth parasites of humans Explain the global impact on human wellbeing and productivity Describe the successes and failures of developing vaccines against some infectious diseases Describe Bacterial Structure. You should have knowledge about the following bacterial structures - Cytoplasmic membrane - Peptidoglycan layer - Gram-positive cell wall structure; Gram-negative cell wall structure; the outer membrane - Capsules - Flagella - Pili (fimbriae) Endospores
Intended Learning Outcomes of Cardiovascular Disease and Fitness Course describe the cardiac and vascular systems in health and disease. describe endothelium dependent and independent regulation of vascular function. describe the regulation of myocardial contractile function. describe the effects of exercise training on various aspects of cardiac and vascular function in health and disease. discuss the latest clinical trials and experimental studies of cardiac and vascular function in health and disease. explain how regular exercise might change Ca+ handling and how this affects systolic and diastolic function in the heart. list the important molecular mechanisms that regulate Ca+ handling. explain how myofilaments adapt to exercise and how this affects contractile force. discuss how and why regular exercise may be beneficial in cardiovascular disease. be familiar with the therapeutic options (lifestyle, drugs) which would normally be used to treat patients with atherosclerosis. understand the relationships between physical activity and public health. understand the key concepts in public health, epidemiology, health education and health promotion Intended Learning Outcomes of Stem Cell Course understand basic stem cell terminology. describe adult and embryonic stem (ES) cells and how these can be exploited for research and medicine. outline the extracellular signalling cues in ES cells that maintain self-renewal. discuss up-to-date stem cell technology and biology. outline the potential uses of Embryonic and induced Pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine. describe tissue engineering. describe how material can be used to manipulate stem cells. describe several uses for nanoparticles in stem cell biology. discuss and engage with ethical stem cell debate. Intended Learning Outcomes of Oncology Course describe the Hallmarks of Cancer. describe how animal models are used to study carcinogenic substances. describe the use of an tissue culture model to study normal versus tumour cells. describe the differences between oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. describe the functions of different proto-oncogenes. provide examples of tumour suppressor genes and explain their roles. explain the incidence and biology of colorectal and breast cancer. describe how specific genes give rise to these cancer types. describe the angiogenic process and illustrate the key differences between normal and tumour-associated angiogenesis. appreciate the impact metastatic spread has on tumour therapy and survivability rates. discuss the genetic and physical changes required for a tumour cell to become metastatic.
define epigenetics and relate its influence within the context of cancer genetics. describe the mechanisms behind the 4 main types of epigenetic inheritance. discuss the current level of understanding of epigenetic inheritance. Textbooks The course is not taught from text books and hence purchase is not necessary, as no one textbook will cover all topics. However, for those students that like to reinforce concepts by reading out of class get into the habit of reading scientific articles in journals, recommendations will be made by individual lecturers. Course Assignments Aims & Intended Learning Outcomes The aims of the assignments are to: encourage use of news media to identify scientific reports of contemporary significance that draw upon or are based upon each topic. provide training in the use of online bibliographic databases to source original scientific publications. assist the development of analytical and writing skills for communication of the key findings from an original scientific publication. The assignment comprises the preparation of a short referenced essay. Details provided in the introductory session, at the start of each week. Data Handling Sessions Aims & Intended Learning Outcomes The aims of these sessions are to: provide training and practical experience in the analysis of scientific data. Practical Session Aims & Intended Learning Outcomes The aims of the practical course are to: provide practical experience of the use of staining techniques for the identification of parasites and bacteria. provide training on the culture of stem cells reinforce the material provided by the lecture course. The laboratory manual will be handed out at the start of the laboratory session. The intended learning outcomes of the laboratory session are listed in the laboratory manual. You must wear a lab coat at the laboratory sessions, these will be supplied. 3
Student Support Informal, feedback sessions will be available to provide guidance on topics covered in the course, guidance on assessed assignments and quiz topics, and further opportunities for practice. Assessment Schedule The course will be assessed through a series of take-home exercises, closed book quizzes and a final, overall assessment of analysis skills and comprehension of the course content conducted at the end of the 4 week course. These assessed components are weighted as follows ITEM ISSUE SUBMISSION WEIGHTING Infection Biology Assignment Tue wk Fri wk 5% Quiz (closed book) Fri wk 0% Cardiovascular Assignment Mon wk Fri wk 5% Quiz (closed book) Fri wk 0% Stem Cell Assignment Mon wk3 Fri wk4 5% Quiz 3 (closed book) Fri wk 3 0% Final Test (closed book) Fri wk 4 5% Course Hours Component Hours Lecture Sessions 40 Practical Work Problem Solving (Take home and in Class) 0 Wet Labs 6 Student Led Sessions Preparation 5 Delivery 3 Assessment Quizzes 5 Feedback 3 Independent Study 68 Total Course Hours 50 4
Bioscience for Global Health Course Timetable 07 WEEK Infection Day Topic Lecture hrs Biology July 7 th st Monday Public Holiday 0 Tuesday -3pm Intro to Global Parasitic Disease Take-away exercise report back Wednesday morning. Assignment outline for hand-in on Friday. Tuesday 3-5pm Overview of the impact of parasitic diseases including Trypanosomes/Malaria/Helminths Wed 0am-pm Parasite Staining and Identification 3 Lab. Exercise feedback Wed -4pm Viruses Lecture/Discussion Thurs 0-am Introduction to Bacteria Lecture Thursday -3pm Bacteria Diagnostics Lecture/Classwork Thursday 3-4pm Bacteria Molecular Diagnostics Lecture/Classwork Friday 0-am Quiz: week. Assignment (Hand-in). WEEK Cardiovascular Disease and Fitness July 4 th - 8 th Monday -3pm Introductory Cardiac Disease Lecture Assignment outline for hand-in on Friday. Tuesday 0-am Cardiovascular system and age-related disease. Take-away exercise for report back in afternoon session. Tuesday -4pm. Cardiovascular Disease causes; molecular and cellular mechanisms.. Approaches to the Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease Lectures/Discussion Wednesday 0-am Exercise and Protection of the Cardiovascular System. Take-away exercise for report back in afternoon session. Wednesday -4pm Signaling Pathways for Remodelling of the Heart. Lecture and discussion Thursday 0am - ECC (excitation contraction coupling) noon in the heart and respiratory muscle Thursday -4pm. In vitro and in vivo muscle fatigue. What are Health and Health Promotion 5
WEEK 3: Stem Cells Friday 0-am Quiz: week. Assignment (Hand-in). Monday -4pm What are Stem Cells? July 3 st August 4 th Introduction to Assignment Tuesday 0-am Characteristics of Stem Cells Take-away exercise for report back in afternoon sessions. Tuesday -4pm Stem Cell Biochemistry - Critical Pathways in Stem Cell Plasticity Wednesday 0-am Introduction to Lab Wednesday -5pm Stem Cell Culture 3 Thursday 0-am Stem Cells and Nanoparticles. Thursday -4pm Cell and Tissue Engineering. Regenerative medicine/ tissue engineering Thursday 4-5pm Stem cell Ethics Group Discussion Friday 0-am Quiz: Assignment (Hand-in). WEEK 4: Oncology Monday -4pm Hallmarks of Cancer. August 7 th Aug th Introduction to Assignment Assignment to be completed for hand in on Friday. Tuesday 0-am Lecture - Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes. Take away datahandling exercise, report back in afternoon session Tuesday -4pm Colorectal and Breast Cancer Go through data handling Wed 0am-am Angiogenesis Wed -noon Metastasis Wed -pm Epigenomics Wed -4pm Data Handling session Thurs 0-am Mammary Gland Morphogenesis and Breast Cancer. Research based Lecture. Thursday -4pm Discussion session. Cancer treatments/personalised medicine Friday 0-am Quiz: Assignment (Hand-in). Friday -noon Course review and feedback session 6