| Unit name | Molecular Epidemiology for Non-Communicable Diseases |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0013 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Zuccolo |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology unit |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
This Unit aims to introduce students to high-throughput molecular data commonly used in non-communicable disease epidemiology, and the different ways in which these data can be used in large scale epidemiological studies, including for exposure assessment, disease prediction and to help with causal inference and mechanistic insights (eg Mendelian randomization). Both genetic and non-genetic molecular data will be discussed. Students will be taught about the design and challenges of both genome-wide and epigenome-wide association studies and how to interpret their results.
By the end of this unit, students should be able to:
There will be 10 teaching weeks, plus reading week and revision week.
Face to face teaching for a total of 25 hours will include lectures and tutorials. Directed and self-directed learning (75 hours) will include activities such as reading and preparation for assessment.
Formative assessment will support student learning by using informal questioning, quizzes and group exercises in lectures and tutorials. These form an assessment for learning and will not contribute to the final unit mark (ILOs 1-3). Students will also complete a (formative) exercise, where they will critically appraise a published molecular epidemiology study (ILOs 1,3).
The summative assessment will consist of both coursework and a final exam. The coursework will be 3 short-answer questions - a structured critical appraisal of a published paper employing molecular epidemiological data for the study of non-communicable diseases, including implications of its results (30% of Unit marks) (ILOs 1-4). Students will submit their coursework at the end of the first half of teaching block 2. A closed-book, 1 hour written exam will contribute 70% of the final unit mark. The closed book exam will have a mix of short answer questions and MCQs (single best answer) (ILOs 1-4).
An overall score of 50% will be required to pass the unit. The contribution of the coursework and exam components are proportionally weighted as above.
There is no compulsory unit text book.
Recommended reading:
