Introductory description

Subject specific laboratory classes and a small group tutorial programme.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Students will complete the third year of a laboratory and tutorial-based skills program. The key aims of the year 3 program are to embed final year level literature and practical research skills. This will be achieved through a combination of tutorial set tasks, some of which are formative, some summatively assessed, and laboratory classes.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Students should be able to critically analyse the primary research literature
• Students should be able to design experiments
• Students should be able to navigate ethical approval
• Demonstrate effective teamwork through cooperative working
• Use your knowledge of microbiology/molecular techniques to perform diagnostic tests on a range of samples following health and safety regulations.
• Analyse positive and negative diagnostic results to support or refute your hypotheses and allow for further investigations.
• Use inductive and deductive methods of reasoning to contextualise both positive and negative results.
• Demonstrate professional conduct and team working practice when conducting this investigation splitting roles equally and taking responsibility for your workload.
• Follow the scientific method throughout this investigation and clearly evidence your process and progress in a well-structured laboratory book.
• Develop a concise writing style to encapsulate and present the relevant information for each of the three cases in a clinical case report.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the techniques used in this lab, their application for diagnosis, and pathology of the causative agents of infection in these clinical cases

Subject specific skills

1. Mastery of core lab skills including but not limited to: essential lab maths, pipetting, observational analysis, solution preparation, equipment set up, good laboratory practice in accordance with health and safety requirements.
2. Competency in a range of clinical diagnostic techniques such as but not limited to. Microbiology; Molecular Biology and bioinformatics.
3. Data generation, presentation, analysis and interpretation.
4. Generation of final reports.

Transferable skills

Critical appraisal of source material
Professionalism in managing an effective team.
Ability to work independently and autonomously but in effective collaboration.
Time management and ability to prioritise under pressure.
Evaluative and critical thinking.
Inductive and deductive reasoning.
Confidence in solving unseen problems.