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MB5516: HOST-PATHOGEN INTERACTIONS (2019-2020)

Last modified: 18 Mar 2020 09:59


Course Overview

Why DO SOME microorganisms cause disease, yet others don’t?  This course explores HOST-pathogen interactions FROM bacterial, fungal, parasite, viral AND HOST perspectives IN a lecture series, examining virulence factors, HOST defences AND immune responses.  Students develop a detailed knowledge of ONE SPECIFIC HOST-pathogen interaction through self-directed study AND review of a SPECIFIC disease selected BY the student.  IN addition, workshops are held which discuss experimental design FOR analysis of HOST-pathogen interactions, virulence AND novel drug treatments.  The material ON the course will ENABLE students TO develop AND refine their understanding of the roles of HOST AND pathogen IN infectious disease.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Donna MacCallum

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of Master Of Science In Molecular Medicine or MSc Immunology or Master Of Science In Immunology And Immunotherapy or MSc Microbiology

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course will explore HOST-pathogen interactions, examining the relationships FROM BOTH HOST AND pathogen perspectives. Topics covered will include fungal, bacterial, viral AND parasitic diseases, HOST responses TO disease causing agents, AS well AS clinical therapies. The course also aims TO explore experimental design FOR analysis of HOST-pathogen interactions IN workshops.

The course will be research-led AND will focus ON up-TO-DATE research, exposing students TO a stimulating AND challenging learning environment. The course aims TO increase student’s understanding of HOST-pathogen interactions, clinical therapeutics AND drug discovery, AND experimental design.

The course also aims TO encourage development of student critical thinking, through evaluation of literature AND writing a major essay ON a disease chosen BY the student, AND TO develop personal AND transferable skills TO equip students FOR the research OR other WORK environment. 


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks 32 Feedback Weeks 34

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Feedback

Students will resarch and write an essay on an infectious microorganism, covering the microbe, disease caused, tranmission and current & future therapies

 

Word Count 3000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Experimental Design and Data Analysis Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 36 Feedback Weeks 39,40

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Feedback

Students will be given information and will be asked to design an experiment to investigate host pathogen interactions - with some scope to add additional information about how the study could be extended using other research methods

A second question will ask the students to interpret data from host-pathogen interaction studies that has been presented in the forms of graphs by answering short answer questions about the data.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks 29 Feedback Weeks 31

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Feedback

Students will design and present an infographic poster based upon their major essay subject

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Report: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 31 Feedback Weeks 33

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Feedback

Students write a report, answering questions on the design and analysis of experiments to investigate host-pathogen interactions

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ReflectionUnderstandIn-depth knowledge and understanding of pathogenesis of bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic pathogens and host immune responses to these pathogens
ReflectionRememberKnowledge and understanding of current clinical therapeutics for bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic pathogens and drug discovery, including novel therapies
ConceptualRememberAcquisition of self-directed learning skills
ProceduralApplyAbility to apply knowledge gained to the solution of theoretical problems and to communicate these effectively in group situations and in written form
ReflectionEvaluateTo equip students with critical and analytical skills required for further studies in specialised areas of microbiological, immunological or related research.

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