Molecular Medicine - Cardiometabolic and Infectious Diseases, 15 credits

At least grade pass (G) for the courses: Introduction to Biomedical Science; General and Organic Chemistry; Cell, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology; Biochemistry; Genetics, Genomics and Functional Genomics; Chemical Biology; Biostatistics; Tissue Biology; Immunology and Microbiology; Neuroscience; and Pathology; and at least grade pass (G) for the parts "Integration of practical features" (4 credits) and "Project work" (2 credits) within the course Physiology, and at least grade pass (G) for the parts "Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics" (2 credits), "Laboratory work in pharmacology" (1.5 credits) and "Group assignments in pharmacology and toxicology" (2.5 credits) within the course Pharmacology and Toxicology, in the Bachelor's Programme in Biomedicine.

Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:

Regarding knowledge and understanding

• describe cardiometabolic and infectious disease mechanisms, from a molecular/cell to whole-body perspective,
• consider cardiometabolic and infectious disease development from a global health perspective,
• understand and describe how to apply a scientific approach,

Regarding competence and skills

• critically reflect upon, interpret and present biomedical data
• integrate understanding of molecular medicine (theory) with molecular biology (practice),
• demonstrate safe laboratory work,

Regarding judgement and approach

• search for, collect, evaluate, interpret and discuss (in both written and oral forms) specialized information in relation to at least one of the topics covered within the course,
• demonstrate understanding of ethical aspects of research involving humans and/or animals,
• take responsibility for his/her own learning within the subjects taught in the course.

The course focuses on developing the student's scientific approach and skills. This is achieved by using cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as a basis for integrating molecular, cellular, physiological and pathological mechanisms from a local and global health perspective. Relevant molecular biology and data analysis techniques are reviewed, and interpretation and presentation of data is considered.

The course is divided into the following parts:

Self-directed learning exercises covering different topics within the course. Includes seminars, journal clubs and workshops requiring individual preparation. Learning activities focus on explaining, discussing and problematizing around a given topic or research article.

To write a research proposal related to one of the topics covered in the course.

Experimental laboratory work. Lab seminars in which results from experimental lab work are presented and discussed, individually or together with peers. This part integrates preparation of written explanations, such as lab reports, with participation in analytical discussions in smaller groups.

This is an advanced course requiring students to take responsibility for their own learning. Learning is encouraged through the active acquisition of relevant information from appropriate sources by the student. Teaching will be in the form of expert lectures, seminars, group-based work and laboratory practicals.

Scientific approaches and skills in the context of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases (3 credits). The examination consists of  contribution to relevant discussions in seminars, as well as oral and written presentation of assignments. The assignments comprise questions and problems covering different course topics. Graded (Fail/Pass).

Research plan proposal (3 credits). The examination consists of an oral and a written presentation. Graded Fail/Pass.
 
Laboratory practicals and demonstrations (4 credits). The examination consists of evaluation of the student's laboratory skill, participation in demonstrations, and laboratory reports. Graded Fail/Pass.

Integration of theory and practice (5 credits). The examination consists of a written examination. Graded Fail/Pass/Pass with Distinction.

Written work is to be handed in before the end of the course according to the times specified in the schedule. The final grade for the whole course is based on the grade for the part Integration of theory and practice. To pass the whole course (grade pass or above), the grade pass must have been obtained for the other parts.

If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory sections of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Compulsory participation
The course's introduction, workshops, seminars, laboratory practicals, demonstrations, group assignments and presentations are compulsory. The course examiner assesses if and, in that case, how absence from compulsory components can be compensated for. A student's study results cannot be finalised/registered until the student has participated in the compulsory components or compensated for their absence in accordance with the examiner's instructions. Absence from a compulsory component may mean that the student cannot compensate for absence until the next time the course is given.

Limited number of examinations or practical training sessions
Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five more examinations. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination or new admission is provided.

The number of times that the student has participated in one and the same examination is regarded as an examination session. Submission of a blank examination is regarded as an examination. An examination, for which the student registered but not participated in, will not be counted as an examination.

The course language is English.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Committee for Higher Education.

Oral evaluation in the form of course council meetings will be carried out during the course.