MSc Infection Biology / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Journal Club Tutorial Unit

Course unit fact file
Unit code BIOL68931
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The Journal Club Tutorial Unit is a 15 credit, interactive learning course which provides students with an introduction to skills and knowledge to critically appraise, knowledgeably interpret and present research. The tutorials will be run by clinical and non-clinical staff and will include critiques of research papers and discussion groups. Students will be assessed both on their participation in tutorials (mark determined by a combination of tutor and peer assessment) and on written assignments (mark determined by tutor assessment).

 

Aims

Equip students with a detailed theoretical and practical understanding of molecular microbiology and immunology, delivered in-context during laboratory-based research and self-directed research of the literature, and via integration of molecular and cellular information to understand the genetic basis of microbial virulence, host responses to pathogen challenge, and complexity of infectious disease, diagnostics, and antimicrobial therapies

Enable students to understand the principles of modelling of host and microbial aspects of infection to help characterize the host-pathogen interaction

Equip students with an understanding of methods for analysing the biological functions and physiological relevance of microbial virulence factors and host responses to pathogenic challenge

Equip students with a working knowledge of mechanistic approaches to problem-solving in molecular and cellular biomedical science

Equip students with a working understanding of the application of a wide repertoire of advanced scientific methods at the cutting edge of scientific research, including flow cytometry, single cell technologies, imaging and mathematical modelling         

Enable students to harness critical thinking and synthesis techniques by integration of data of varying types, and from a range of sources        

Equip students with transferable skills in critical reasoning and reflection, collaborative team working, communication, use of IT/health informatics, innovation in the application of knowledge to practice and logical/systematic approaches to solving problems and making decisions

Equip students with the core knowledge, critical awareness and skills in a range of specialist areas to enable them to pursue a research career in this discipline

Equip students with a critical understanding of the current issues and problems at the forefront of the discipline that will allow them to make independent, informed judgements in relation to these issues 

 

Teaching and learning methods

Journal Club tutorials will occur at least every 4 weeks. The first tutorial will involve training on how to summarise and critique a manuscript. Addressing a new manuscript each month, all subsequent tutorials will involve student-led oral presentations and critical discussion of the science. The students will rotate through a series of roles addressing background, methods, results and discussion sections of the manuscripts. Performance will be assessed at each tutorial by a facilitator having expertise in the topic under discussion. 

 

Knowledge and understanding

  • Acquire a detailed and systematic understanding of the principle concepts of infection and antimicrobial immunity
  • Integrate and apply knowledge to synthesise new theories on mechanistic basis of disease
  • Be aware of the practical issues and problems associated with conducting high quality research, including ethical issues
  • Acquire an understanding of the theory and practise of research methods and scientific techniques basic to the discipline
  • Work individually and collaboratively to identify appropriate methodology during experimental planning, interpret and present scientific data, interrogate relevant scientific literature and develop research plans
  • Recognise potential methodological failings and strategize accordingly
  • Understand scientific methodology together with the philosophical contexts within which research is conducted in science and medicine
  • Communicate effectively through writing, oral presentations and IT to facilitate further study or employment in molecular, cellular and physiological science 

Intellectual skills

  • Critically analyse, evaluate, interpret and understand the significance of research findings and the biomedical areas that underpin the discipline
  • Analyse, interpret, objectively evaluate and prioritise scientific literature, recognising its limitations and questioning preconceived ideas
  • Recognise, define, formulate and prioritise research questions that are pertinent to the discipline
  • Understand and be able to critically appreciate methodology, including the appropriate selection of quantitative or qualitative methods
  • Recognise the importance of rigour in collecting, analysing and interpreting data
  • Exhibit creativity and resourcefulness in professional learning, scientific endeavour and research formulations

Practical skills

  • Design and carry out research projects using appropriate methodologies to address specific research questions
  • Present information clearly in written, electronic and oral forms, and communicate ideas and arguments effectively
  • Retrieve, manage and manipulate information by all means, including electronically 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Effectively manage time resources and set priorities
  • Monitor and realistically evaluate own performance and personal capability
  • Be aware of career opportunities and if appropriate, plan a career path in academic or clinical research
  • Make oral and written presentations to specialists and non-specialists
  • Demonstrate a capacity for self-directed, independent learning and adopt the principles of critical reflection and evaluation
  • Understand and comply with the requirements of research governance
  • Recognise the views of others and work constructively with them in a multidisciplinary context 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 40%
Oral assessment/presentation 60%

Oral presentations: 5-minute (maximum 5 slides) presentations summarising and critiquing a designated part of the manuscript. A wider view of the field is also expected from additional reading.

Group discussion: Facilitated student-led group discussion of the manuscript focussing on the wider implications of the research paper and how it moves the field forward.

Feedback methods

Written tutor feedback within 2 weeks of each journal club

Recommended reading

This will be provided by the tutor.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 20
Tutorials 40
Independent study hours
Independent study 90

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Mato Lagator Unit coordinator

Additional notes

20 hours face-to-face teaching, 40 hours assignment and presentation preparation, 90 hours independent study. 

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