2025/26 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

DSUR2220 Introduction to Biomedical Sciences

20 Credits Class Size: 100

Module manager: Reem El-Gendy/Josie Meade
Email: r.el-gendy@leeds.ac.uk/J.L.Meade@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Pre-requisites

DSUR1127 Health and Health Promotion
DSUR1128 Intro to the Oral Environment
DSUR1130 Anxiety and Pain Management
DSUR1230 Oral Diseases, Defence and Repair
DSUR1241 ICSP
DSUR1250 Personal and Professional Development 1

Co-requisites

DSUR2118 PPD2
DSUR2122 Social Sciences Related to Dentistry
DSUR2200 Clinical Skills A
DSUR2240 Clinical Practice 2

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

You will gain a broad introduction to biomedical sciences from both molecular biology and clinical perspectives. Basic science and clinical academic staff will work as a coordinated team to provide you with an integrated module where basic molecular science and its clinical relevance are explicitly linked. You will consider the effects of common disease processes on systemic and oral health and where applicable how these may present in dental practice. Unless your programme is designed to be delivered fully online, your programme and modules will be delivered predominantly on campus. These teaching activities will be supported by the use of digital tools to enhance your learning and experience. The catalogue provides details of your module and the teaching methods used to deliver your module (for example, lecture, seminar, tutorial, practical). It does not necessarily provide you with information about the mode of delivery for specific learning activities on your module (whether these will be on campus or delivered digitally). Information about the delivery mode for learning and teaching activities for your modules will be published in the timetable and in the Minerva area for your modules. You can access your personalised timetable through Minerva or our UniLeeds app on your mobile device. We sometimes need to adapt our teaching to take account of developments in the subject, in response to new research and current affairs for example, and on occasion we may need to adapt our delivery modes too. You will be kept informed of any proposed changes to the content and delivery of your modules as described in the module catalogue and we’ll make sure you understand and agree the reasons for any changes before they are introduced.

Objectives

This module provides an introduction to biomedical science with a focus on the biological basis of health and disease. It will permit a better understanding of disease aetiology and the mechanisms involved. Evidence based information will be explored so that students will be able to advise patients on a range of wider health and disease issues. Examples of on-line misinformation will be highlighted to emphasise the importance of critical appraisal and the need for an evidence base.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students will be able to:
• Describe the anatomy and histology of the - gastrointestinal tract.
• Understand specific biomolecular mechanisms/metabolism in health and disease and the role of nutrients in these processes.
• Understand the digestion, transport of dietary components, and the psychology of eating disorders.
• Understand the components of blood, abnormal clotting disorders and blood borne viruses.
• Demonstrate insight into: infective endocarditis, atherosclerosis, thrombosis and embolism, acute and chronic inflammation, proteopathic disease/ER stress (especially in relation to amelogenesis imperfecta and fluorosis).

Skills outcomes

No additional skills are gained over and above those listed above.

Syllabus

• The anatomy and functioning of the digestive tract
• Digestion and transport of carbohydrates and lipids – in health and disease
• Energy metabolism
• Intermediate metabolism
• Nutritional biochemistry (vitamins)
• Nutrition in relation to dental health
• Psychology of eating disorders
• Blood
• Infective endocarditis, atherosclerosis, thrombosis and embolism, acute and chronic inflammation and proteopathic diseases
• Biology and molecular biology of cancer including environmental and nutritional factors

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Revision Class 1 1 1
Revision Class 1 2 2
Tutorials 3 1 3
Lecture 35 1 35
Private study hours 159
Total Contact hours 41
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

The lectures should be regarded as a comprehensive introduction to the subject. The lectures provide a foundation that will guide students towards further reading and that will enable them to consolidate their learning during private study periods. Approximately three quarters of the module credits are assigned to private study. We emphasise to the students that continuing professional development (CPD) is a requirement of GDC registration and taking a larger responsibility for learning, through private study, is an essential skill that needs to be developed in so that maximum advantage can be levered out of CPD events attended later as career clinicians.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Example MCQs will be available on line to students so they have some familiarity with the style, scope and depth of the MCQs typical of those used in the assessment. The MCQs will also help inform students where there may be gaps in their knowledge and understanding which can be addressed at revision sessions or ad hoc one-to-one meeting with staff. Whilst the answers to the MCQs are not given at the time they are made available the correct responses are provided after the delivery of the module has exposed the student to the material and prior to the end of module assessment. This formative assessment material, with the lecture content and further reading provided, forms the content that is discussed in the revision sessions that are run prior to the summative assessment.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
In-course Assessment On-line formative MCQ and SAQ exercises 0
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 0

Example MCQs are provided via VLE with answers and feedback given prior to the end of module assessment.

Exams
Exam type Exam duration % of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins 100
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) 100

Online time limited assessment with a duration of 48 hours.

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2025

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team