VET40080 Advances in Infection Biology

Academic Year 2023/2024

This aim of this module is to provide students with an overview of current research developments in the infection biology area, and how these are translating into novel therapeutic modalities. Students will learn key concepts in Infection Biology from the bottom up, starting with the molecular basis of host-pathogen interaction, moving to animal models of disease, then to population level studies in epidemiology, and finally to therapeutics. Students will also receive guidance on how to write a grant as this will be the mode of assessment for this module. We will include sessions outlining the process involved in writing an innovative research proposal. The module comprises 8 seminar sessions (3 hours each). Prior to each session students will be given a review or original research paper on the topic to be discussed.

Specified Student activity
1. Students will be given reviews and original research papers on the topics presented during the module. These articles will be from top-ranked journals and will provide material that both underpins and expands on that presented in the course.
2. Students will plan, develop and write a research proposal that encompasses the area of their PhD and that incorporates concepts, techniques and/or approaches learned during the course. Grants will be based on the "Gates Grand Challenges Explorations" model, and will have to include a hypothesis, research background, key objectives, research approach, budget and expected outcomes. Proposals will be submitted for assessments, but also be presented in a 10 min 'elevator pitch' presentation, helping to develop presentation skills.

Assessment:
At the start of the module students will be assessed on their presentation of a short overview of their current research. On completion of the module the student will be assessed on a submitted research grant. The criteria for assessment will be: quality of the written and oral presentations; incorporation of ideas and approaches presented in the module into the written grant; relevance of proposal to (human/animal) health; and opportunity for commercialisation. Written proposals will be assessed by Principal Investigators delivering the module. Formative feedback will be given. Students will pass with distinction, pass or fail the module on the basis of the assessment.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students will:
1. Be able to synthesis the key concepts in the field of Infection Biology into a holistic framework.
2. Hypothesis on how novel research approaches will contribute to disease surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and management.
3. Devise new approaches to their own research work based on the concepts learnt in the module.
4. Be able to plan how to write a grant application

Indicative Module Content:

Students will learn key concepts in Infection Biology from the bottom up, starting with the molecular basis of host-pathogen interaction, moving to animal models of disease, then to population level studies in epidemiology, and finally to therapeutics. Students will also receive guidance on how to write a grant as this will be the mode of assessment for this module.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Specified Learning Activities

49
Autonomous Student Learning

35
Total

108
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Leading researchers will present current topics in infection biology in a classroom setting, along with additional reading (usually reviews of articles from leading journals). 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Grant application that uses at least two concepts from the module and relates to the students own research topic Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Not yet recorded Yes

85
Assignment: Summary of current MSc/PhD research work (abstract style) Unspecified n/a Not yet recorded No

15

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Mr John Wyatt Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Once Off Offering 1 Week(s) - 27 Mon 09:00 - 16:50
Once Off Offering 1 Week(s) - 27 Thurs 09:00 - 16:50
Once Off Offering 1 Week(s) - 27 Tues 09:00 - 16:50
Once Off Offering 1 Week(s) - 27 Wed 09:00 - 16:50
Spring