SVEK13010U Biomedicine

Volume 2015/2016
Education

MSc Programme in Veterinary Medicine - differentieringskursus (valgfag)

Content

The course includes modules of laboratory animal science, In vivo pharmacology, genetics and genomics, microbiology and immunology, drug development, toxicology and experimental design and life style diseases, cancer and neuroscience. In these modules, relevant theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and competences are provided, e.g. relevant laboratory methods, current animal models used in biomedical reserach and societal aspects.

The laboratory animal science part of the course has been accredited by the Danish Ministry of Food, agriculture and fisheries and by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Associations (FELASA) as adequate for researchers acquiring a license to perform animal experiments.

Learning Outcome

The aim of the course is to provide the students with work-relevant competences and qualifications required in the broad field of biomedical research. This includes qualifications to manage a housing facility for experimental animals and to design, perform and evaluate laboratory animal experiments in biomedical research, In Vivo pharmacology and drug development. Moreover, it provides the students with a thorough knowledge on methodologies of mammalian and prokaryote genomics, microbiology, immunology, genetics and experimental as well as molecular pathology and histopathology and the role of these subjects when applied in drug- and vaccine development. The course provides the student with knowledge on a broad range of animal models used in translational medicine including construction, use and shortcomings of the models.


Learning outcomes

Knowledge

The student must be able to:

  • Describe modern diagnostic methods and principles; summarize rules and regulations, principles, methods and terminology relevant for the planning, execution and evaluation of experimental animal research projects and regulatory toxicity testing
  • Describe various animal models for human diseases presented in the course
  • Describe principles of housing, breeding and use of laboratory animals
  • Describe basic procedures and practical methodologies in Laboratory Animal Science, experimental surgery and in vivo pharmacology
  • Explain the different steps ideally needed to market a new antimicrobial drug
  • Discuss how calculation of mutation rates induced by antimicrobials may help to predict emergence of resistance  in bacterial populations
  • Evaluate possible solutions to tackle antimicrobial resistance in bacteria with emphasis on “helper drugs”
  • Describe the principles of vaccine development and effects of use of vaccines.
  • Describe methods and strategies commonly used to determine virulence factors.
  • Describe the structure and function of the mammalian and prokaryote genome; summarize the main issues in relation to genetic mapping of qualitative and quantitative traits.
  • Describe various genetic technologies used in biomedical research
  • Describe and perform main molecular biological methods.
  • Describe various histopathological slides and elaborate on the underlying pathological processes.

 

Skills

The student must be able to:

  • Explain and assess strengths and weaknesses of commonly used laboratory methods in microbiology, genetics and pathology
  • Evaluate the use of in vitro and in vivo methodology in research and development
  • Explain basic ethical theories on use of animals in research and on animal welfare, including the 3 Rs
  • Use basic statistical and inference methods.
  • Evaluate histological lesions and reactions in laboratory animals.
  • Use basic surgical methods in laboratory animal science
  • Design a quality assurance program for diagnostic procedures
  • Determine antibiotic resistance both by quantitative and qualitative methods including specialized procedures
  • Evaluate which molecular genetic techniques are relevant for the study of a given genetic problem
  • Analyse, evaluate and present results from simple diagnostic tests in mammals
  • Explain the basic methodologies and principles demonstrated and practiced at the practical exercise during the course work

 

Competences

The student must be able to:

  • Work independently with problem solving, diagnosing and presenting relevant findings in microbiology, experimental pathology and In vivo pharmacology.
  • Work independently with problem solving, diagnosing and presenting findings in histological slides.
  • Be able to identify virulence factors of microorganisms
  • Use knowledge on virulence factors in development of methods to control infections, e.g. in the form of active and passive immunizations and new drugs
  • Be able to work independently with basic genetic laboratory procedures
  • Discuss the ethical use of animals and in vitro methods in research and product development
  • Discuss strength and weaknesses of common animals models including genetically modified models
  • Be able to design, execute, evaluate and manage experimental animal research projects
  • Use theoretical and practical methodology in laboratory experiments employing live animals
  • Critically evaluate experimental designs and stated outcomes
  • Use acquired knowledge to assess novel problems or problem areas and confidently apply knowledge-based suggestions for solutions
  • Be able to find new information/literature on topics within the area of biomedicine and critically evaluate results and information presented in the literature
  • Be able to take responsibility for own professional development and specialization.
  • Be able to confident and competent present, communicate and discuss scientific research results

 

Various material on Absalon including videos, exercise descriptions, hand-outs and recommended papers. 
Selected textbooks.

An updated list of carefully selected, recommendable textbooks, relevant material and suggested further readings will be posted on Absalon in due time before course start

Approved course certificate on following courses:
SVEK13003U Veterinary Imaging
SVEK13002U Akutmedicin, obstetrik, intensiv terapi og klinisk anæstesiologi
SVEK13007U Almen klinisk praksis familiedyr
SVEK13008U Almen klinisk praksis, store husdyr
SVEK13006U Praktisk besætningsrådgivning og kødkontrol
SVEK13001U Veterinary Paraclinics
Passed the following courses:
Medicin, kirurgi og reproduktion - mindre og store husdyr SVEK13005 og SVEK13004.
The course consists of both theoretical and practical teaching.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Exam Preparation
  • 50
  • Guidance
  • 15
  • Lectures
  • 163
  • Practical exercises
  • 130
  • Preparation
  • 230
  • Project work
  • 70
  • Theory exercises
  • 70
  • Total
  • 729
Credit
26,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 minutes
Oral examination in practical and theoretical skills obtained during the course. The exam may include a discussion of a poster (prepared during the course) if relevant.
Passing the exam in experimental animal sciences provides FELASA authorisation category ‘C’.
Exam registration requirements

80 % attendance to practicals in Laboratory Animal Science is required to attend the FELASA category C Laboratory Animal Science exam during block 3 in the course programme. Passing the FELASA category C exam is required in order to obtain FELASA-accredited course certificate.

Students,who has not passed the FELASA category C exam prior to the Biomedicine examination may attend a re-examination in connection to the biomedicine examination.
Both a FELASA-accredited course certificate and a passed Biomedicine examination are required to pass the course.

Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Criteria for exam assesment

The student must be able to demonstrate satisfactory acquisition of the measurable learning outcomes. During the examination the student

  • must demonstrate ability to define, explain, analyze and discuss animal models presented during the course.
  • should be able to explain and discuss principles of use of live animals for experimentation as presented during the course and demonstrate the ability to deduce and suggest from known models possible ways to proceed with future research.
  • should be able to discuss and explain principles of drug development and the application of experimental animals in In vivo pharmacology.
  • should present a broad knowledge on various laboratory methods (including genetical, microbiological and histopathological methods) and be able to present, explain and discuss these methods including limitations, challenges and benefits.
  • should be able to independently incorporate and combine knowledge from all subjects taught during the course when approaching the exam questions.
  • must demonstrate the ability to present and explain in details relevant histopathological findings of relevant animal models.
  • should be able to summarize, discuss and judge (defend as well as criticize) all aspects of the work of fellow students in the form of a presented poster prepared during the course.