SVEK13010U Biomedicine

Volume 2020/2021
Education

MSc Programme in Veterinary Medicine - differentieringskursus (valgfag)

Content

The course includes modules of laboratory animal science, In vivo pharmacology, genetics and genomics and microbiology. Moreover, it includes applied modules focussing on e.g. drug development, toxicology and pharmacology, experimental design and metabolic and autoimmune 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. Finally, the first course week a common module with other veterinary and medical master students regarding One-Health challenges related to handling of antibiotic resistance in clinical settings.

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.

Knowledge

  • 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
  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 animal models) in pharmacology-, toxicology- and cancer-research, in neuroscience and immunology and in studies of infectious diseases, autoimmune- and metobolic diseases. Discuss the methods of induction of the model as well as the validity.
  • 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 materials including videos, exercise descriptions, hand-outs and recommended papers. 
Selected textbooks.

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

Approved course certificate on following courses:
SVEK13043U Veterinary Imaging
SVEK13023U Akutmedicin, obstetrik, intensiv terapi og klinisk anæstesiologi
SVEK13007U Almen klinisk praksis familiedyr
SVEK13008U Almen klinisk praksis, store husdyr
SVEK13006U Praktisk besætningsrådgivning og kødkontrol
SVEK13044U Veterinary Paraclinics
Passed the following courses:
Medicin, kirurgi og reproduktion - mindre og store husdyr SVEK13005 og SVEK13004.

Only veterinary students holding (as a minimum) a laboratory animal science course EU function a/d (equivalent to the laboratory animal course on the veterinary bachelor at University of Copenhagen) can obtain admission to this MSc programme
The course consists of both theoretical and practical teaching.

Evaluation model: Survey-based model
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 139
  • Preparation
  • 300
  • Theory exercises
  • 40
  • Practical exercises
  • 85
  • Project work
  • 100
  • Guidance
  • 10
  • Exam Preparation
  • 50
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Total
  • 728
Oral
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
26,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 timer under invigilation
Written case-based examination at PBV in practical and theoretical skills obtained during the course.
Passing the exam in Biomedicine provides FELASA authorisation category ‘C’/EU function abd.
Exam registration requirements

Core modules of Genetics, Microbiology, Advanced pathology and Laboratory Animal Science must be passed (godkendt kursusattest) in order to attend the final examination in June including i.a. 80 % attendance to practicals in Laboratory Animal Science. 

The One-Health module group report must be approved.

The posters, which are prepared during the course, must be passed (godkendt kursusattest). 

To pass the Biomedicine course and aquire the FELASA C certification, both the first part of the FELASA C examination and the Biomedicine examination must be passed. The second part of the FELASA C/EU function abd examination is an integrated part of the final Biomedicial examination.

Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Internal censorship. More than one examiner.
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student must demonstrate satisfactory acquisition of the measurable learning outcomes, primerly put into practice as stated below. 

Knowledge

  • 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.
  • 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 applicability, limitations, challenges and benefits.
  • must demonstrate the ability to present, explain and discuss in details relevant histopathological findings of relevant animal models including persuasive, detailed presentation of a histopathological slide.

 

Skills

  • should be able to discuss and explain principles of drug development and the application of experimental animals in In vivo pharmacology and regulatory toxicology.
  • 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.

 

Competences

  • should be able to deduce and independently suggest from known models and/or experimental designs possible ways to proceed with future research.
  • should be able to independently incorporate and combine knowledge from all subjects (including the Core modules in Genetics, microbiology and Laboratory animal Science) taught during the course, when approaching the exam questions.