SM3002: FRONTIERS OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05

Course Overview

this course covers many of the core concepts which form the foundations for advanced study in Biomedical and related sciences;
you will gain cutting edge, in-depth and focussed knowledge of cell function and cell signalling delivered in a research-driven environment in preparation for advanced study of similar material in the honours year;
you will research a topic of choice and prepare a scientific review in a similar fashion to academic staff;
problem solving exercises designed to illustrate the application of your knowledge in the wider world and advanced laboratory techniques are interwoven strands aimed at developing graduate attributes and employability

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Term	First Term	Credit Points	30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr G.S. Bewick Dr Wenlong Huang

Qualification Prerequisites

Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Either BI20B2 Physiology of Human Cells (Passed) or BI25B2 Physiology of Human Organ Systems (Passed)
Either Any Undergraduate Programme or Programme Level 3

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

BM3006 Molecules, Membranes and Cells (Studied)
SM3001 Frontiers of Molecular Medical Sciences (Studied)
SM3003 Frontiers of Applied Medical Sciences (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

The course will cover basic principles that are common to cell physiology, pharmacology and molecular and cell biology to encourage thinking across disciplines. To include receptors, agonists and antagonists, signalling and transduction mechanisms, voltage-gated and ligand-gated channels, synaptic transmission, and action potential physiology. It covers membrane biophysics and the properties of ion channels and gap junctions in addition to ion and non-electrolyte transport pathways. 12 week course, Thread I.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Laboratory report 33%

Problem solving exercise 25%

Student Selected Component review 25%

Summative Mock exam essay 17%

Formative Assessment

Formative mock exam essay, Safety multiple choice exam

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Understand	Provide a basic understanding of the fundamental role of ion channels, metabotropic receptors and membrane potentials in communication within and between cells.
Conceptual	Understand	Introduce the range of biochemical signalling mechanisms used by cells.
Conceptual	Understand	Give an overview of the mechanisms by which substances are transported across cell membrances.
Conceptual	Understand	Have an understanding of the main neurochemical pathways in the central nervous system.
Conceptual	Understand	Explain the action potential in terms of the properties of the ion channels underlying it. Be able to describe how and why action potentials may be modulated.
Conceptual	Understand	Describe the processes governing synaptic structure and function.