Course syllabus for Nanomedicine

Nanomedicin

Specific entry requirements

At least the grade Pass on the courses Integrated physiology and pharmacology (semester 1) and Physiological and pharmacological mechanisms and experimental methods (semester 2) on the Master programme in Translational Physiology and Pharmacology.

Outcomes

The aim of the course is to understand how nanoparticles interact with cells and tissues and how they are engineered for precise therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Topics include bio–nano interactions, targeting strategies, tumor-directed drug delivery, and nano-enabled biosensors.

After completion of the course the student should be able to:

• Identify and classify major nanomaterial platforms, including their unique properties and functions.
• Critically analyze the advantages and limitations of current nanotechnology tools and methodologies regarding fabrication, characterization, and targeting.
• Evaluate the feasibility of integrating nanomaterials into therapeutic and diagnostic systems and identify possible challenges.
• Conduct and present a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis on a selected nanomedicine approach.

Content

Introduction to nanomedicine
The initial part of the course includes lectures and discussions covering basic concepts in nanomedicine.

Applications (seminar and journal clubs)
Invited speaker from academia or industry gives a seminar on nanomedicine. Speaker will meet the students for discussions.
Individual journal club assignment where students select and analyze an article within the field of nanomedicine.

Group assignment
Group assignment to conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis on a particular nanomedicine approach. The assignment can be related to academic research or clinical implementation of nanomedicine.

Teaching methods

Learning activities include lectures, seminars and Journal clubs.

Examination

Examination
Written examination (exam). Graded Fail/Pass/Pass with distinction.
Oral presentation of journal club: Graded Fail/Pass.
Oral presentation and written assignment of SWOT analysis: Graded Fail/Pass
Mandatory participation
Seminars
Journal clubs

Written assignments should be submitted before the end of the course according to the specification in the schedule. To pass the course (the grade Pass or higher), at least passed on all parts of the course is required. To pass the course with distinction, the grade Pass with distinction on the written examination is also required.

Compulsory participation
The examiner assesses if, and how, absence from compulsory course elements can be made up for. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in compulsory course elements or compensated for any absence in accordance with instructions from the examiner. Absence from a compulsory course element could mean that the student can not retake the element until the next time the course is offered.

Limitation of number of tests
The students that have not passed after the regular examination session have the right to participate at further five examination sessions. If the student has carried out six failed examinations/tests, no additional examination or new course admission is approved.

Each occasion the student participates in the same test counts as an examination. Submission of a blank examination is regarded as an examination. In case a student is registered for an examination but does not attend, this is not regarded as an examination.

In the event of special circumstances, or a need of adjustments for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to depart from the syllabus' regulations on examination form, number of examination opportunities, possibility of completion or exemption from compulsory educational elements, etc. Content and intended learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities must not be altered, removed or lowered.

Other directives

The course is given in English, and the examinations are in English.
A course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by Karolinska Institutet.

Literature and other teaching aids

Mandatory literature

Study materials and reference articles will be provided during the course.