Humans are holobionts: we harbour and live in close association with unique microbial populations of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. These microbial communities that inhabit our mouth, skin or gut are vital for maintaining a robust immune system, a healthy gut, a resilient skin barrier and even a healthy brain. Indeed, the intestinal microbiome signals to the brain and can influence a vast range of neuronal functions and well as neurological disorders. But the term “holobiont” is not limited to humans and other animals. Microbes also establish key associations with plants and a healthy plant microbiome is crucial for the development and growth of healthy crops. Furthermore, human health is interlinked with plant and ecosystem health and dependent on the presence of unique, diverse, and healthy microbiomes across different scales. This module will provide students with a deep understanding of host-associated microbial communities and their contribution to health, but also the implications in various diseases. Novel techniques and methods for microbiome analysis will be presented and explored. Lastly, we will discuss how the microbiome links human to plant and planetary health and the potential of microbiome-based solutions to improve health and solve major environmental challenges.
To provide graduate students in economics with an introduction to the basic frameworks of graduate-level microeconomic theory: general equilibrium theory and game theory. Special emphasis will be given to the design, construction and the solution of economic models, ensuring that students become familiar with basic equilibrium techniques.
This module provides an introduction to microeconomics, the detailed analysis of individuals and their interactions within the economy. Combined with Macroeconomics this module will provide an appropriate foundation for subsequent economic modules.
This module will familiarise students with the central concepts of microeconomics, building on the foundations laid in the first-year Microeconomics module. Students will gain a clear understanding of the role of the price mechanism in organising economic activity and of choice in strategic situations. The module offers a rigorous treatment of supply and demand in markets, individual choice and strategic behaviour, concepts of market equilibrium, and sources of market failure. Students will evaluate economic outcomes in terms of social desirability (efficiency, equity and other concepts) and will learn to assess the potential benefits and limitations of policy interventions. Throughout the module will focus on examples and real-world applications of the theory such as the free rider problem.
This module provides an overview of modern microfabrication technologies for the making of micro structures applicable to device engineering. The various fabrication techniques that are relevant for microdevices in the field of electronics, optoelectronics and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) will be addressed in the lectures, with an emphasis on their physical, mechanical and chemical principles. The integration of these techniques will be explained with examples of complete process flow for the fabrication of different microdevices. Element of design method to produce microdevices will be introduced.
This module teaches the basics of the behaviour of fluids in microsystems, specifically focussing on the interaction of fundamental physical mechanisms and the design of microfluidic devices. It also reviews and analyses the state of the art in applied microfluidics such as Laboratory-on-a-Chip technology. The module uses COMSOL Multiphysics, a specialist finite element analysis tool, to model a fluidic sensor.
This module presents a broad overview of microsensor technologies, including the basic principles of measurement systems and the scaling effects arising from system miniaturisation. The practical component, assessed by a Lab Report, involves the design and construction of an interface circuit and subsequent characterisation of the performance of a microsensor. ELEC6203 is a prerequisite for ELEC6208 Bio/Micro/Nano Systems. Note that microfabrication techniques are covered in detail in ELEC6201 Microfabrication. The module uses COMSOL Multiphysics, a specialist finite element analysis tool, to model a MEMS sensor.
This module on microstructural analysis and surface characterisation of materials and components considers Surface Profilometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, diffraction techniques, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), and a range of other techniques. For each technique, the aspects covered include: relevant theoretical background, sample preparation, equipment capabilities and limitation of the techniques. Examples of usage are drawn mainly from materials used in aerospace, automotive and marine industries. As part of the module either a laboratory involving hands on use of the SEM and/or TEM can be taken or, alternatively, a coursework on the interpretation of microstructural analysis and surface characterisation from literature can be elected.
This module enables you to undertake a midwifery elective experience to aid in your professional development. This activity must be agreed/negotiated with the module lead to ensure it is: • in line with NMC educational guidelines for professional midwifery practice • covered by University and Faculty guidelines for elective/independent activity, including insurance and risk assessment • consistent with the educational commissioning of the programme • aligned with programme learning outcomes • appropriate to your professional development needs
This module enables you to undertake professional development activity of your choice. This activity must be agreed/negotiated with your academic tutor/ programme lead to ensure it is: • in line with NMC educational guidelines for professional midwifery practice • covered by University and Faculty guidelines for elective /independent activity, including insurance and risk assessment • consistent with the educational commissioning of the programme • aligned with programme learning outcomes • appropriate to your professional development needs
The material covers ideas from many disciplines. Migration represents movement across space, influencing and changing the environments of both the origin and destination locations (geography). It is both affected by and affects population structures and compositions (demography). Migration is often caused by individual or household decisions for gains in economic welfare (economics), whilst being encouraged, controlled, or restricted by states (political science). Migration involves motives for leaving and adaptation to new societies (social psychology), and affects social and cultural systems (sociology). These issues (and more) are included in the topics and discussions contained in this course.
The aim of this course is to provide you with a basic understanding of the causes underlying patterns of human migration and the subsequent consequences on population change and composition. In addition, you will be taught some analytical skills so that you may do a migration study of your own.
GGES3020 is a multidisciplinary unit designed for students with an interest in human migration and development and the interaction between the two. The module will emphasise the importance of place and scale in its approach to these themes, although it will draw on scholarship from a variety of perspectives (including development studies, anthropology, sociology and cultural studies). The material is organised around key areas of concern from the perspective of migrants’ countries/areas of origin in the ‘Global South’. The module seeks to balance an understanding of theories of migration and development with empirical contributions. To this end, lectures are illustrated with real-life case studies while students are encouraged to do the same for their coursework. The module will draw substantially on convenor’s own research, but it will also be situated within a larger pool of relevant world-wide literature. This is a challenging module in both content and coursework. The field of migration is diverse and encompasses a broad range of aspects. The focus of this module is on developing (lower and middle income) countries, and the impact that migration has on these societies. It does not engage with EU migration, immigration and integration in the UK, Brexit and associated migration issues.
