MPAS Physician Associate Studies

Title:

Anatomy & Physiology

Code:

BI1AP12

Convenor:

DR Natasha Barrett

Summary:

Anatomy and Physiology introduces the amazing structure and function of key bodily systems to explore how organs work to support life. Whilst focussing on the context of a healthy Human, the structure and function of the Human body is consolidated through selected comparisons made to other vertebrates. For example, did you know that whilst the respiratory system of mammals is very similar, neither birds, lizards nor tortoises have a diaphragm! The digestive system of cats and dogs is similar to Humans but is more different in sheep and cattle. Most animals have 2 kidneys but not all have a bladder! The blood pressure in giraffes is much greater than Humans to get the blood to the top of their head. Brain shape and size may vary by species, but it is the convolutions that are thought to correspond to intelligence. Theoretical knowledge, to introduce the structure and function of each of the main body systems, is gained through lectures, and then applied in practical classes.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Set exercise 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Building Blocks of Life

Code:

BI1BEC1

Convenor:

PROF Phillip Dash

Summary:

Genes and cells are the fundamental building blocks of all life. All life is made up of cells and their function is controlled by genes. In this module we will introduce students to the dynamic nature of the cell and major concepts in cell biology and genetics. Microbial, animal and plant cell structures are examined and compared during a tour of the structure and function of the major organelles. The module also provides an overview of major cellular processes including energy production, cell death, cell communication, photosynthesis, stem cells, organization of cells into tissues and how cells survive extreme environments. Alongside this understanding of cells we will also examine genetics and genetic tools to understand transcription and translation, inheritance and evolution, gene regulation and key experimental techniques such as genetic engineering.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Class test 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Pathology

Code:

BI1BP2

Convenor:

DR Sam Boateng

Summary:

Pathology is the study of diseases and how they affect the body.  This module introduces the tissue structure (histology) of the major systems in the Human body and the disease states (pathology) that can affect them along with an introduction to the treatment of disease and broader topics such as public health and epidemiology.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introductory Microbiology

Code:

BI1S1

Convenor:

DR Geraldine Mulley

Summary:

This module provides students with an introduction to the discipline of Microbiology. Students will learn the fundamental biology of bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi and viruses; their structure, replication, nutrition, the diverse environments where they live (including host-microbe interactions), and how some microbes benefit society (food production and biotechnology), whilst others cause disease. The module will also provide students with an understanding of how some microbes cause infections, the various ways to prevent and treat infectious diseases, and how microbes develop resistance to antimicrobials. Students will learn the techniques needed for safe handling of microbiological samples to isolate and purify bacteria and fungi from food samples in the laboratory.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Clinical and Metabolic Biochemistry

Code:

PM1MPAS1

Convenor:

DR Graeme Cottrell

Summary:

This module will provide you with an overview of the major metabolic pathways in biological systems, health and disease and how these concepts are applied to diagnosis and the creation of therapeutic agents. It will develop your knowledge of the immune system and how antibodies are used to diagnose and treat disease. The module touches on a variety of concepts that will allow you to apply knowledge from other modules, specifically the modules Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, Medical Microbiology and the Building Blocks of Life.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Practical 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Professional Skills for Healthcare A

Code:

PM1MPAS2

Convenor:

DR Lizzy Lander

Summary:

This module will examine and address key questions for future healthcare professionals: what does it mean to work in healthcare? What skills will I need? How can I begin gaining and practising the skills I will need to work in healthcare? Through exploring roles in healthcare, defining and practising key skills that a healthcare professional needs in their career such as communication (listening, speaking and writing), reflection and numeracy, this module will provide the basis for your future studies and career.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 70%, Class test 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Public Health & Nutrition

Code:

PM1MPAS3

Convenor:

DR Amelia Hollywood

Summary:

In this module you will learn about the basics of nutrition. You will learn about food and diet and how nutrition impacts on health. Wider concepts relating to lifestyle, health and disease will also be studied, and you will develop ideas on how to promote healthy living choices for patients and the public.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Assignment 20%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Principles of Drug Action

Code:

PM1PCOL1

Convenor:

DR Mark Dallas

Summary:

This module introduces you to biological concepts of pharmacology that will help you to understand drug action on the body. This includes how drugs exert both positive/and negative effects on the body, and how the body deals with drugs; the module will also include examples from body systems. It will include a brief introduction to classes of drugs, including basic models of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. The module includes core science concepts linking physiology to drug action and is appropriate for research and medically/patient focussed students. It will also support the development of science communication skills, with specific reference to explaining drug action to an array of audiences. Training in pharmacology will be supported by integrated workshops to highlight real world application. Together, these will foster the development of an understanding of the principles of drug action and an ability to communicate science effectively.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Anatomy & Physiology 2

Code:

BI2AP12

Convenor:

DR Natasha Barrett

Summary:

How the Human body works – from fundamental science to the clinic.

The Human body is amazing!  Our hearts beat 100,000 times a day; we produce 1.5 litres of saliva every day; our kidneys filter 180 litres of blood a day (but we only urinate about 1.5 litres); our finger tips are sensitive enough to detect miniscule changes in a surface; we can (nearly) always fit in a sweet dessert!  Anatomy and Physiology 2 builds on the foundations of Part 1 Anatomy and Physiology to explore Human medical anatomy (structure) and physiology (function) and its application to a clinical setting.  Whilst focussing on the context of a healthy adult, the module also introduces how the structure and function may differ for individuals.  We’ll explore how lifestyle, socio-economic factors, gender, ethnicity and ageing (from pregnancy, through paediatrics, to geriatrics) each affect the body’s structure and function.  Theoretical knowledge is gained through lectures and then applied in practical classes by learning to carry out clinical examinations.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Clinical Biomedicine

Code:

BI2BCB5

Convenor:

PROF David Leake

Summary:

The Clinical Biomedicine module describes what happens to your blood or tissue sample when it is taken to the Pathology laboratories in a hospital. The role of haematology laboratories in investigating the various types of blood cells, leukaemias, lymphomas, myelomas, blood groups and haemostasis is described.  The techniques used in cellular pathology laboratories are covered, including histopathology, immunochemistry, cytology, cervical screening and auto-immunity. The types of assays used in clinical biochemistry laboratories are described and their roles in diagnosing liver, renal, endocrine and heart disease and inborn errors of metabolism. The use of tumour markers in cancer patients is discussed, as is the detection and measurement of drugs, both therapeutic and illegal, and poisons. You will carry out a practical in which you diagnose someone’s disease by determining their haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, blood type and full blood count. There is also a practical on the different types of blood coagulation assays and one in which you stain a cervical biopsy and carry out a Papanicolaou stain of cells. There is a talk from a hospital scientist on careers in hospital laboratories.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Report 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Professional Skills for Healthcare B

Code:

PM2MPAS1

Convenor:

DR Sarah Greenwood

Summary:

This module continues to develop from Professional Skills or Key Skills modules completed in Year 1. The module develops skills essential for healthcare and medical practice and provides placement experience for students both in hospital and within simulated environments to provide a breadth of experiential learning opportunities. Students will learn with and from different health care professionals through a portfolio of inter professional education sessions. Students will continue to develop effective communication skills with a focus on written, listening and oral communication. Additional key skills that are developed during this module are clinical calculations and problem-solving. Reflective practice and independent learning skills will be developed, and students will complete their Personal and Academic Development (PAD) portfolio.

Assessment Method:

Portfolio 50%, Report 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Medicines in Health Care

Code:

PM2MPAS2

Convenor:

DR Lizzy Lander

Summary:

This module brings together biochemical and biological science knowledge to understand the use, mechanisms and selection of different medicines.

Expands from core principles of drug action and molecular drug targets modules and provides a more detailed discussion of drug pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics. The module focusses on the gastrointestinal tract and liver and on drug delivery concepts including the different administration options for medicines (e.g. mouth) and how these affect drug use. The module will use case studies of exemplar drugs (e.g. proton pump inhibitors) to explore key concepts. Physicochemical concepts, and opportunities for the design and synthesis of known and novel drugs, will be illustrated throughout using relevant examples.

Throughout the module students will discuss the material (e.g. group work) in an inter-disciplinary environment to facilitate learning of content, and to gain a wider perspective of the core material. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 40%, Assignment 30%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Molecular Drug Targets

Code:

PM2PCOL1

Convenor:

PROF Gary Stephens

Summary:

This module will teach application of pharmacology to physiological systems from molecule to patient. A molecular, cellular and systems level approach to the study of drug action towards treatment of disease in cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems that will develop from core skills introduced in Part 1 Principles of Drug Action. This module introduces students to concepts of pharmacology and integrates physiology, chemistry, therapeutics and practice with a focus on molecular drug targets in renal, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Practical classes, interactive lectures and workshops will support pharmacological concepts. Science and practice concepts from all cognate disciplines that link to drug action on key molecular drug targets will be taught. These include: physiology and pathology of renal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, medicine development and delivery and medicines management. Together, these concepts will develop an understanding of key molecular drug targets and relevant pharmaceutical issues in a range of fundamental areas of drug and medicines use.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Cells and Immunity

Code:

BI2BC45

Convenor:

DR Mike Fry

Summary:

This module will build on molecular cell biology concepts introduced at Part 1 and will introduce new concepts that will form the foundation for further development in modules at Part 3. The aim will be to develop a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of eukaryotic cell structure and function in molecular terms, focusing on cells in tissues and immune cells and the interplay that occurs between them during infection. The module will start by introducing a range of topics linked to cell function in all cell types and then will move on to consider these in the context of the functioning of the immune system during an infection in a tissue.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Report 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Molecular Genetics

Code:

BI2BMG4

Convenor:

DR Eva Kevei

Summary:

Molecular genetics, the study of the structure and function of genes and genomes, enabled scientists to develop new technologies that impact many aspects of our lives. The understanding of how genes and genomes work revolutionized research and led to the development of personalized medicine and contributed to improved agricultural and industrial production. In this module you will study how chromosomes are organised, replicated and repaired, and how genes are expressed and regulated at the molecular level. The core concepts of molecular genetics will be linked with a range of topics with relevance to today’s society. You will learn about recombinant DNA technology, genetic engineering, and gain hands on experience of the techniques used in the laboratory for molecular cloning. You will also use bioinformatics approaches to analyse genes and their encoded proteins at the molecular level.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Set exercise 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Drug Design and Delivery

Code:

PM2PCOL2

Convenor:

PROF Helen Osborn

Summary:

This module takes the student through the journey of drug discovery, drug action, design of medicines and patient-centred care. The module looks at how chemical structure impacts on activity and on medicine stability. Drug design and discovery is discussed for both synthetic and biological drugs, including natural products. Students are taught about the safe handling of materials, including aseptic preparations and quality assurance. Analytical science skills, initially introduced in Part 1, are developed further to introduce more advanced analytical methods and their use in drug discovery and quality control processes. Students will apply pharmacology knowledge and skills to address questions and solve pharmacological problems. To this, students will also develop knowledge and abilities on both theoretical and practical use of in vivo, ex-vivo and in vitro techniques using simulated and hand-on experimentation. Students will gain experience on the use of quantitative methods to collect, process, analyse and present the research findings and also report writing. skills and knowledge developed here are essential to undertake practical and workshop exercises in later modules, including the Research Project. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 10%, Oral 10%, Report 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

MPAS Clinical Module 1

Code:

PM3PPA

Convenor:

DR Simone Magee

Summary:

This is module provides 4-year MPAS students with core clinical knowledge to prepare them for clinical placements that begin in Spring term of Part 3 and become the major component of the programme in Part 4. Students will be supported to exercise personal responsibility, undertake decision-making in simple situations and develop the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Practical 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Medical Research and Enquiry

Code:

PM3RMP

Convenor:

PROF Becky Green

Summary:

This module provides 4 year integrated masters Physician Associate students with the opportunity to engage in a level 6 research project aligned with their own clinical interests. The module provides training in different research skills and methods relevant to those encountered by medical professionals, to enable students to develop skills needs to plan, design, conduct and present a piece of original research. Students will learn how to make use of spreadsheets to capture information and learn how to sample and collect qualitative and quantitative data using statistic approaches where appropriate. The module also provides students with the opportunity to carry out a brief piece of research and present their findings to their colleagues.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 15%, Oral 25%, Report 60%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.