Module manager: Professor Michelle Peckham
Email: m.peckham@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Satisfactory progression in any Level 4 (Year 1) course within the Faculty of Biological Sciences
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module explores the diversity of human disease through five key topics: genetically inherited disorders, vascular diseases, molecular oncology, DNA repair disorders, and cardiac, skeletal, and cytoskeletal disorders. Delivered through interactive, research-led lectures, the module introduces fundamental concepts related to the diagnosis, basis, and treatment of human diseases. Students will engage with current research literature and develop their communication and teamwork skills through group presentations, enabling a deeper understanding of the principles underpinning human disease research.
This module aims to provide students with an in-depth appreciation of the diversity of human diseases, emphasizing the principles of diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment. By exploring five distinct disease categories, students will develop a broad understanding of how molecular, genetic, and cellular mechanisms contribute to different conditions. Interactive lectures will serve as the foundation, supplemented by directed independent study using online resources to consolidate learning and prepare for assessments.
The module also focuses on building essential skills for scientific research and communication. Students will work collaboratively in groups to research and deliver presentations on assigned disease topics, encouraging the development of critical thinking, teamwork, and oral presentation skills. This activity emphasizes the importance of engaging with primary research literature and using evidence-based approaches to communicate ideas effectively.
To support a broad understanding of the subject, students will undertake a summative assessment comprising multiple-response questions, in addition to the oral presentations described above. This ensures students develop both specialized knowledge in their assigned topic and a comprehensive understanding of all five disease categories covered in the module.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1- Evaluate current knowledge about the diagnosis, basis, and treatment of human diseases;
2- Analyse the general principles involved in the study of human diseases
3- Apply and analyse current knowledge of human disease to create and present ideas on selected human diseases;
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4- Communication skills: Communicate ideas accurately and effectively with individuals and in groups.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Practical | 5 | 1.5 | 7.5 |
| Seminar | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Private study hours | 79.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
The students receive feedback on their formative group presentations: style, scientific accuracy and ability to engage an audience from academics and peers.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Group presentations (5 minutes each) on topics related to the lectures. Students work in a group of 4. 1 Presentation per group (90%). Each group provides a 1-page summary of each students contribution to the work (10%) | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30 | |
Students will work in a group of 4 to research and present a topic related to the lectures. 6 groups present per week. All students will be asked to provide feedback on each group presentation, to encourage engagement and skill development. We will include a formal requirement to ask each group to provide a 1-page summary of each student’s contribution to the work. (e.g. Contributor Role Taxonomy (Credit: https://credit.niso.org)) to make sure all students contribute to their group presentation. There is no chance to resit, but in the past, we have assessed individual presentations for students who had strong reasons for not being present.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1.0 Hrs 30 Mins | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 14/03/2025
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