Module Code - Title:
BY4033
-
CORE CONCEPTS IN BIOSCIENCE
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The core concepts of life: reproduction, adaption, growth and homeostasis underpin all biological science disciplines. The goal of this module is to build on the foundations of Year 1 to develop deeper understanding of the milestone scientific achievements that have shaped modern bioscience. The module will present Nobel Prize winning scientific advances in fields of biochemistry, physiology, neuroscience, immunology, microbiology, cell biology and cancer. Students will research one of these topics and prepare a presentation and a technical and lay summary.
On completion of the module students will have gained significant insight into the many disciplines that encompass modern bioscience and have attained practical research and communication skills that will be essential for their success in the Bioscience programme.
Syllabus:
This module will examine key scientific achievements in the field of bioscience. Nobel prize winning discoveries in the fields of Physiology/Medicine/Chemistry will be presented. This includes: MHC and transplantation, TLR and Dendritic cells, complement pathway, cancer immunotherapy, HIV and Hepatitis C virus, and Cell cycle, CRISPR, neuronal transmission.
The content of the lectures will be revised and updated as new developments occur.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Students will design an oral presentation; they will learn how to prepare and present Powerpoint slides effectively. They will learn the basics of scientific writing, writing a scientific and lay summary (abstract), producing a graphical abstract, referencing and creating a bibliography. The module will place particular emphasis on the development of communication skills, in particular the skills involved in collating, reading, interpreting and summarising a topic to produce a concise overview.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Understand the evolution of modern bioscience and appreciate the impact on health and society. Increase motivation of students and enable them to make informed decisions about which area of bioscience they will specialise in.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will consist of a series of lectures presenting Nobel Prize winning scientific advances in the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, neuroscience, cell biology and cancer. These lectures will be delivered by staff research active in these areas. The content of these lectures will be assessed on an ongoing basis throughout the semester using short Multiple Choice Quizzes.
Each student will be assigned a topic and prepare a short presentation and concise summary. They will be guided through the tutorials accompanying the lectures that will develop basic skills in science communication (written and oral), e.g. effective use of powerpoint, literature searches and use of bibliographic software.
Students will gain insight into the development of new technology and the evolution of scientific theory. Tutorials will develop key communication skills. This will develop articulate and knowledgeable graduates.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Barbara Chivers -Michael Shoolbred (2020)
A Student's Guide to Presentations:Making your Presentation Count
, Sage Publishing
Other Relevant Texts:
Charles Graeber
(2018)
The Breakthrough (Immunotherapy and the Race to Cure Cancer)
,
Alanna Collen (2015)
10% Human: How Your Body's Microbes Hold the Key to Health and Happiness
,
Daniel M. Davis (2018)
The Beautiful Cure (The Revolution in Immunology and What It Means for Your Health)
,
Siddhartha Mukherjee (2010)
Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
,
Benjamin Ehrlich (2016)
The Dreams of Santiago Ramón y Cajal
,
Rita Levi-Montalcini (1997)
Saga of the Nerve Growth Factor, The: Preliminary Studies, Discovery, Further Development
,
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BSBIOSUFA - BIOSCIENCE
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
raffaele.nicastro@ul.ie