Module manager: Phil Davies
Email: r.p.w.davies@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
As per Dental Surgery Programme/ Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Programme admissions requirements.
This module is not approved as a discovery module
In this first module of the dental and biomedical science theme, you will gain an introduction to the scientific knowledge required to support your understanding of health and disease. You will learn about the structure and function of cells, tissues and organs of the mouth and body, the basic principles of microbial infection and our immune defences against them, the introductory science of dental materials and mineralised tissues and the basics of cell biology and human oral tissues, structure and function.
This module aims to introduce four main underpinning scientific disciplines vital to prepare students for their introduction to clinical learning. Students will develop fundamental knowledge of the intracellular processes that govern the functioning of human cells and systems. Students will be introduced to "Anatomy, pathology and physiology" in relation to the entire human body with additional focus on the head, neck and oral cavity. Students will be introduced to the basic principles of "Infection and defence", to enable understanding the interrelationship between microbes and humans in health and infection. Students will be able to recognise the properties of "Dental materials and mineralised tissues", their associated use in early clinical settings, including the biophysics relevant to diagnostic imaging. Independent learning tasks will structure student study alongside regular consolidation seminars. Opportunities for formative feedback will be embedded across the module which will enable students to evaluate their learning and monitor progress in each subtheme.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Describe the molecular and cellular biological processes that are essential for the functioning of the human body and how they impact on health and disease.
2. Describe the basic anatomy and histology of the human body, with a focus on their function within oral and dental structures.
3. Describe the embryogenesis of orofacial tissues including tooth and jaw development.
4. Describe how the principles of microbiology and the immune system contribute to health and infectious disease.
5. Describe the properties of mineralised human tissues and dental materials and their applications in dental health.
Analyse information from a range of sources, interpret and communicate this in a range of formats:
WR9 - critical thinking
WR13 - core literacies
Human biology from molecules to cells.
This subtheme will cover the basics of cell and molecular biology including the following
- The structure and function of major classes of biomolecules,
- Cell membranes and intracellular organelles,
- Molecular processes of genetic inheritance, gene expression, protein synthesis and transport.
- Basic systemic and oral anatomy.
Anatomy and physiology
This subtheme will provide an introduction to anatomy and physiology in the following areas;
- Anatomical terminology, for example; cavity, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, blood, liver, kidney, muscle, hormones and homeostasis, gastrointestinal tract, head & neck, neuroanatomy (including cranial and facial nerves with focus on the trigeminal nerve).
- Basic pathology including, cell injury, cell death, inflammation, neoplasia.
- Introduction to general histology of cells, tissues and organs, with greater depth provided to epithelial, connective and some specialized regional tissues.
- Introduction to histology of oral tissues (enamel, dentin, cementum, bone, periodontal ligament, oral mucosa)
- Introduction to oral physiology to include chewing, swallowing, calcium homeostasis including nutrition (vitamin D) and endocrinal regulation.
- Embryology of the head and neck.
- Orofacial embryology.
Infection and defence
This subtheme will cover an introduction to microbiology and host immune defences and their interactions, including the following:
- The principles of microbiology relevant to Dentistry.
- An introduction to the interactions between microbes, the host and their environment.
- The mouth as a microbial habitat, the resident microflora and an introduction to dental plaque.
- An introduction to human defences, barriers, innate, adaptive and inflammatory protection and key molecular and cellular components.
- The chronology of protection.
Materials and mineralised tissues
This sub theme will cover:
- An introduction to dental materials to include structure and chemistry for example bonding, forces, pH, polymers / polymerisation.
- Structure and function of mineralised tissues and mineralisation and calcium homeostasis.
- Biomineralisation, demineralisation and remineralisation of hard tissues.
- Aesthetics of the tooth.
- The differences between materials with respect to fundamental physico-chemical properties of relevant metals, polymers, ceramics and wax.
- Importance of biocompatibility and regulation.
- Dentally relevant biophysics to include X-ray production, regulation of use, image formation and quality.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 73 | 1 | 73 |
| Practical | 7 | 1.5 | 10.5 |
| Seminar | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Seminar | 23 | 1 | 23 |
| Private study hours | 489.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 110.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 600 | ||
All pass/ fail elements in the module must be passed to pass the module overall.
Formative in course assessment tasks, including online knowledge tests, will be provided contemporaneously with teaching, to accompany the delivery of each module component. Module content will be delivered in defined topics. Formative assessment tasks will be provided to accompany each topic, and support and consolidation seminar sessions will be timetabled appropriately. This will support student learning and allow students to gauge their progress and encourage students to organise and distribute their private study efforts throughout the semester.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| In-course Assessment | FORMATIVE: In-person closed book, time limited examination (single best answer style questions). 2 hours | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 0 | |
Formative Assessment in Year 1 is a combined 2-hour examination with content from all Year 1 modules. This will be scheduled as one examination. The allocated time for each of the 4 Year 1 modules will be proportionate to the module credit size.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 0 |
| OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) | 1.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 0 | |
Objective structured practical exam (OSPE) unseen exam (elements of the anatomy and physiology subtheme content) - Pass/Fail In-person closed book, time limited examination - Pass/Fail
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team