Functional Measurement in Biological Research 4X core BIOL4225

  • Academic Session: 2022-23
  • School: School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Available to Erasmus Students: Yes

Short Description

This course will explore biomedical imaging, biomechanical, cellular, metabolic, molecular and neuro-physiological techniques that have been applied to investigate common biological processes. 

Timetable

There are normally 4.5 hours of teaching on Mondays, which may be split over more than one session. 

Requirements of Entry

Normally, only available to final-year School of Life Sciences students in a Human Biology programme or Physiology programme. Visiting students may be allowed to enrol, at the discretion of the School of Life Sciences Chief Adviser and the Course Coordinator. 

Excluded Courses

None.

Assessment

The course will be assessed by a 2-hour examination (70%) and in-course assessment consisting of a take-home essay (30%).

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

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. 

Course Aims

This course aims to develop an understanding of common experimental approaches used to investigate complex integrated processes. 

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 

■ Consider reductionist and integrative approaches to study biological processes;

■ Appraise whole body metabolic techniques used to investigate the appropriate control of cardiopulmonary responses to activity;

■ Appraise the imaging techniques that have been used to investigate structure-function relationships important for biological processes;

■ Appraise the electrophysiological techniques used to investigate the appropriate control of cardiopulmonary and 'skeletal muscle' function.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

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