Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the Western world (and increasingly in the developing world). This course provides students with in-depth understanding of research into the underlying risk factors, genetic influences, pathophysiology and treatments - in order to better equip them for translating this work into clinical practice.

On average approximately 6 x 1.5 hour sessions per week in Semester One, and 2 x 1.5 hour session per week in Semester 2.

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Actively enrolled in an MBChB or BDS and normally have successfully completed at least the first 3 years. Exceptionally, some external students from specific partner institutions may join the course after completion of two years of MBChB or BDS (or equivalent); however award of the intercalated degree will be withheld until they have subsequently completed the required number of additional credits (or equivalent) at their home institution.

Recommended Entry Requirements

Will normally be placed within the top 50% of the year and have demonstrated good academic progress.

None

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Core Course

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Research Project

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Statistics

Assessment

65% written examination in April/May

35% review essay completed during 2nd semester

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The course aims to introduce students to the latest concepts in the epidemiology, development and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and to interest students in future clinical and scientific research.

By the end of this course students will be able to

describe the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors;

discuss in detail vascular biology and the development of athero-thrombosis;

outline the importance of gene expression in the cardiovascular system and the role of genetic influences in cardiovascular disease;

discuss the importance of metabolic syndrome and diabetes in the context of cardiovascular disease;

describe the pathophysiology, investigations and treatments of hypertension; heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias;

summarise the mechanistic basis of cardiovascular therapeutics and evaluate the major clinical trials in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.

Attendance of at least 80% of lectures and tutorials is mandatory along with active participation in the seminar and other teaching opportunities.