Teaching Responsibility

LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:

Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences

Learning Methods

Lecture
Practical
Workshop

Module Offerings

6111BMBMOL

Aims

This module will enable students to develop an in depth understanding of the origins, functions and aberrations of the immune system, microbial interactions with the immune system and infectious diseases and the strategies employed for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research of immune and infectious diseases.

Module Content

Outline Syllabus:In both immunology and microbiology the module will further develop material introduced at levels 4 and 5 and in core modules at level 6 with particular reference to Clinical Immunology and Clinical Microbiology. Thus, for example the principles of the function and measurement of effectors of the immune response will be extended to include the causes and consequences of a wider range of abnormal immune function, neoplastic diseases and transplantation reactions together with their detection, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. Immunological techniques used in clinical and research laboratories will be explained, alongside strategies for prophylaxis and immunotherapy while attention will be given to showing the gross structure and ultrastructure of normal cells and tissues and the structural changes which may occur during disease, and an understanding of immunogenetics will be included. The focus of the microbiology will be to develop understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of a wide range of microorganisms, including implications for public health microbiology. To support this, the laboratory investigation of a range of infectious diseases, including isolation and identification of microorganisms and approaches to anti-microbial and anti-viral therapy (including drug resistance) and infection control will be covered. The practicals in this module are based on the principles of the work undertaken by Biomedical Scientists in the NHS e.g. Clinical Flow cytometry. They will give the student the necessary insight, skills and experience to meet the work place needs of the NHS, where in many instances routine analyses are automated. They have also been developed in consultation with HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists who have confirmed that these practicals are suitable and applicable for provision of functional knowledge and practical insight into the NHS workplace.
Module Overview:
In this module, your education continues in the field of immunology and microbiology as we now focus the knowledge gained at level 4 and 5 onto the clinical aspects of disease.
Additional Information:This module provides students with advanced knowledge of pathogens, infectious diseases, immune responses and disorders of immunity. This module extends the coverage and detail provided on the Immunology and Infection module (5111BMBMOL). The syllabus will encompass basic and clinical Immunology and basic and clinical Microbiology. Material covered in this module has links, in part, with other themes such as Transfusion science, Haematology, and Cancer. Where appropriate signposting of such material is provided to foster a sense of integrated learning for the student across the modules. Since final year students should be prepared for frontline developments in basic and clinical research the module also undertakes horizon scanning of the newest paradigms and discoveries. While the focus is on the delivery of core knowledge, signposting of research that is active in these areas and that is changing our understanding or is awaiting ratification and may be in the text books soon, is a salient endeavour. This will engender a feeling of preparedness to hear about the new developments or controversies in these fields of research and abrogate anxiety about contemporary knowledge.

Assessments

Test
Centralised Exam