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Unit information: Foundations in Perfusion Science (CVP_DL) in 2023/24

Unit name Foundations in Perfusion Science (CVP_DL)
Unit code BRMSM0063
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Dr. Becky Foster
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department Bristol Medical School
Faculty Faculty of Health Sciences

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

This unit provides an essential foundation for your educational journey and development as a perfusionist. It provides in depth knowledge and understanding of the functional anatomy and physiology of the organs of the body that are affected by cardiopulmonary bypass and most relevant to clinical perfusion scientists. Full knowledge of the normal function of the systems and organs of the body is an essential part of understanding the basis of the presentations of the disorders or diseases that affect them and is a fundamental requirement for those who are involved in a medical-based career. This unit also prepares you for your study ahead by including essential skills training which will enable you to succeed in your academic and research endeavours.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study

This unit is taken at the beginning of the programme to ensure you have a solid core knowledge and understanding of the systems of the body to allow to appreciate the subsequent teaching and learning on the diseases that affect your patients and the impact of perfusion strategies on these systems. Furthermore, academic skills training will prepare you for subsequent study on the MSc and beyond.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

This unit examines the physiological structure and functions of the major systems in the body that are affected by perfusion techniques and relevant to clinical perfusion scientists. Additionally, the main diseases that occur in these organs are outlined and the impact of cardiopulmonary bypass on these systems is introduced. The theoretical aspects of functional anatomy and physiology of the heart, circulation, blood, lung, kidney, liver, gut and nervous system are included. This unit provides a comprehensive background on anatomy and physiology in the context of perfusion science.

Integrated into this unit is teaching and learning of academic skills that will prepare you for your assessments and research project including academic writing, reading and presenting clinical and scientific literature, study design and data analysis.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

You will expand the breadth and depth of your knowledge and understanding of relevant body systems. You will acquire the skills to embark on your learning journey with confidence.

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe the functional anatomy and physiology of the heart, circulation, lungs, kidney, liver, gut and nervous system.
  • Discuss the main diseases that affect each system and the clinical signs and symptoms associated with them.
  • Evaluate the impact that perfusion practice has on the systems of the body.
  • Apply and / or interpret basic statistical analysis of research data and draw appropriate conclusions.

How you will learn

  • Core content will be delivered via on-line asynchronous audio / video lectures supplemented with synchronous / asynchronous seminars allowing students to engage flexibly with teaching and learning.
  • On-line synchronous tutorials
  • Self-directed study
  • On-line discussion forums

On-line synchronous sessions will provide support through the unit including for coursework tasks. Students will be given formative feedback on all coursework assessments to aid their learning.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

  • Short essay (500 words) which is used for guidance on good academic practice. Generic and individual written feedback provided to use for subsequent written assessments.
  • Group presentation to enable discussion, interaction and team building.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

  • Multiple choice questions (MCQs). Contribute 10% to the unit mark.
  • Essay (1500 words) relating to organs affected by CPB. Contributes 50% to the unit mark.
  • Short answer questions relating to study design and analysis. Contribute 40% to the unit mark.

When assessment does not go to plan

If the overall pass mark for the unit (50%) is not achieved, students will usually be expected to resit the failed unit assessment. The resit assessment may not be in the same form as the original assessment but will test the same learning outcomes. The resit unit mark will be capped at 50%

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. BRMSM0063).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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