Module overview
This module consists of 9 x 2-hour sessions covering 5 topics.
Click on the timetable link for timetables and details of topics covered. Prior to each topic, the relevant journal and supporting documentation will be uploaded onto the course materials section of the blackboard.
Each topic will be taught by an academic with a specialist interest in the subject area. The first session will consist of a seminar. The content of the seminar will then be discussed by the group, including the lecturer, in order to clarify any points and to frame any questions arising from the lecture that the students find interesting.
A journal paper that extends or applies the knowledge in the seminar, will then be shared with the students. Students should read the methods section immediately, in order to ensure that they are familiar with the basic principles of the techniques and/or any confusing abbreviations used. Methodological queries will be discussed at the session.
The paper and background questions arising from the paper or the seminar will form the basis of the work in the following session (except for topic 5).
For topic 1, students will submit a written critical review of the paper stating the hypothesis and summarising the background, results and conclusion with comments on strengths, weaknesses and any new questions arising as a consequence of the paper. This will be a formative assessment and the critical analysis of the paper and feedback on the written reviews will be discussed during the session 2 of topic 1.
For topics 2, 3 and 4, one or several students will make an oral presentation of the paper, and all the students will be expected to join in a discussion of the paper during and after the presentation. All students will be expected to research other articles to bring to the general discussion of the selected paper. The student(s) who give the presentation will not be assessed on their contribution to the discussion. All students will be given marks for either their oral presentation or discussion contribution for these 3 topics.
For topic 5, all the students will write a critical review of the paper stating the hypothesis and summarising the background, results and conclusion with comments on strengths, weaknesses and any new questions arising as a consequence of the paper. This will be a summative assessment. There will be no session 2/oral presentation for this topic.
Although there is no specific pre-requisite for this module, this is a level 7 module, and an undergraduate level knowledge of immunology is expected.