Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Advanced Skills in Tropical Disease Biology
Code LIFE357
Coordinator Dr IM Hastings
LSTM Honorary
Hastings@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE236 None 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 30
this refers to timetabled lectures
6
This refers to timetabled seminars
        36
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 114
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  2 hours  1  60  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Exam 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  2500 words  1  25  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Essay 
Coursework  1500 words  1  15  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Article Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 1 will be a written examination. Assessment 2 will be an in course essay critically discussing research methodology, data interpretation and ethical implications of a published scientific paper. Assessment 3 will be a short written article describing and summarising a topical subject in tropical disease biology for a lay audience. 

Aims
  • To provide training in a set of methodological skills required to undertake human studies
  • To enhance the core skills acquired in Levels 4 and 5, including both scientific and broader employability skills, by synthesising and integrating information from across the curriculum and from diverse external sources in the context of Tropical Disease Biology

  • To develop in students the ability to apply, critically evaluate and interpret their relevant knowledge and understanding, to solve complex problems in Tropical Disease Biology.

    • Learning Outcomes

    To evaluate the appropriateness and ethics of methodologies for investigating human tropical diseases in resource-poor settings
    To discuss current technologies and topical issues within Tropical Disease Biology
    To access and critically evaluate scientific literature in the context of Tropical Disease Biology

    To disseminate topics in Tropical Disease Biology to both scientific and lay audiences

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture - this refers to timetabled lectures

    Seminar - This refers to timetabled seminars

    Syllabus
    1 

    Methodology.

    (1) Research methodology in Tropical diseases. Humans require specific research methodologies  e.g. cross-sectional surveys, case-control studies, randomised clinical trials. These require non-standard descriptive measures: Odds ratios, relative risks, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values.

    (2) Critical assessment of published studies.  The dangers of bias and data structuring. The use of multivariate analysis. Why risk factors may not be independent:  confounding, suppression, interactions.

    (3) The use of meta-analysis of published studies to guide policy.

    (4) Introduction to qualitative research methodology.

    (5) Ethical implications in biological research.

    (6) Additional ethical consideration in conducting Tropical Disease Research in resource-poor settings.

    (7) Current key themes and topical issues in Tropical Disease Biology.

     

     Study Skills.

     Writing skills, writing for different audiences

     

     Personal development.

     Project planning and time management. Group work.

    Recommended Texts
    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List: