Frontiers in Translational Medicine, 22 credits

Bachelor's degree or professional qualification worth at least 180 credits in biomedicine, biotechnology, cellular and molecular biology or medicine. English language skills equivalent to English B (with at least the grade of Pass) are required.

The aims of the course are that the student should understand the connection between how changes at the molecular level can influence basic functions in individual cells and/or organs in relation to the human body; special focus is placed on changes from healthy to diseased tissue and on the connection between symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of different diseases.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Regarding knowledge and understanding

• explain basic functions and mechanisms at the molecular level in individual cells and in organs and put this in relation to the human body as a whole,
• connect knowledge of basic functions and mechanisms at the molecular level to processes such as disease development, diagnosis and treatment, and to consider these processes from a global health perspective,
• explain pros and cons of the most important methods in molecular medicine.

Regarding competence and skills

• participate actively in project planning (study design) and implementation,
• evaluate and present results from a research project both orally and in writing,
• find relevant original-, review- and other literature regarding issues related to biomedicine, and from these extract information for problem-solving, and experimental design and compilations,
• present and discuss scientific articles,
• give peer feedback to classmates regarding oral presentations and written assignments.

Regarding assessment ability and attitudes

• take responsibility for his/her own learning,
• show an ethical, critically analytical and scholarly attitude towards research data and scientific presentations.

The main theme is translational medicine -"from molecule to patient and from patient to molecule". How cellular and molecular biological knowledge is applied for an understanding of different diseases and for design of new treatments or diagnostics will constitute the basis for all parts of the course, see below. The course particularly focuses on cancer, infectious diseases,  inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and the diseases of the nervous system. Inflammation is brought up as a link  regarding all these diseases.Vaccination used for treatment and also in experimental models is discussed. Cell biology-related processes such as cell-cell interactions, intracellular signalling and cell death are covered. Technologies used within advanced translational research, such as relevant cellular and molecular biological technologies, biobanks and the methodology of the -omics are reviewed.

The course is divided into the following parts:

Advanced biomedicine within inflammation/autoimmunity/infection and cardiovascular diseases, including experimental methodology. Integrating theory and practical work during the course.

Advanced biomedicine within neurological diseases and cancer, and infectious diseases with a link to neurological disease or cancer, including experimental methodology. Integrating theory and practical work during the course.

Group seminars as well as journals clubs and demonstrations. Prepare individually and with peers a task given in advance for the seminar . At the seminar explain, discuss and problematize around the given study question.

Experimental work in groups in a laboratory. Tissue analysis by microscopy. Present results from lab work and discuss the results, prepare individually or together with peers. At lab seminar present and problematize around the reached results.

This part of the course integrates an ability to prepare oral presentations, and written explanations such as lab reports with participation in analytical discussions in a smaller group.

The course is at the master's level, where the students are assumed to be familiar with the most common study methods in higher education. The fundamental pedagogical view is based on learning as an active research process. The teaching is given as group tuition, expert lectures, studies of scientific publications and laboratory sessions. Reading assignments of research articles for journal clubs.  In-depth studies in groups with an emphasis on own work and literature studies. Peer-to-peer reviews.

Inflammation and infection and cardiovascular diseases (7 credits). The examination consists of a written exam. Graded Fail/Pass/Pass with distinction.

Neurological and psychiatric diseases and cancer (7 credits). The examination consists of a written exam. Graded Fail/Pass/Pass with distinction.

Group seminars (4 credits). The examination consists of active participation in the seminars, oral or written analysis of scientific articles, work shops or demonstrations. Graded Fail/Pass.

Experimental lab work (4 credits). The examination consists of active participation in the laboratory work and related discussions, and written analysis of experimental results in lab reports. Graded Fail/Pass.

The course grade is a combination of the grades for "Inflammation and infection and cardiovascular diseases" and "Neurological and psychiatric diseases and cancer" . To pass the whole course the grade pass must have been obtained for all parts of the course.

Compulsory participation
The introduction to the course, seminars, group assignments and demonstrations as well as presentations and lectures linked to these parts are compulsory. The course director assesses if and, in that case, how absence can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the course director's instructions, the student's results for respective part will not be registered in LADOK.

Limitations of the 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.

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 section/s 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.

After each course occasion there will be at least six occasions for the examination within a two-year period from the end of the course.

The course language is English.

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

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