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PM-138
Skills for being a Medical Scientist
The aim of this module is to provide students with an initial experience of what it is to be a modern medical scientist, from the initial experimental planning, to performing experiments within the laboratory with data acquisition and analysis and finally to the communication of scientific findings to a wider audience.
Students will develop basic skill sets in the four most important research skill areas of practical laboratory skills, data analysis, collaboration and communication. The module will be both theoretical and applied, where the student will be instructed in methods essential for data acquisition and data analyses but will also actively participate in the laboratory, using broadly applicable experimental techniques. In addition, students will learn about health and safety within a laboratory environment and the current ethics regulations surrounding the use of humans, human tissue and animals within medical research.
Furthermore, students will develop their communication skill sets not only through essay writing but also will develop their oral presentation skill set and their collaboration skills through a group presentation and tutorial classes.
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PM-138C
Sgiliau ar gyfer Gwyddorau Meddygol
Nod y modiwl hwn yw cynnig profiad cychwynnol i fyfyrwyr o waith gwyddonydd meddygol modern, o gamau cychwynnol cynllunio arbrofion, i gynnal arbrofion mewn labordy ynghyd â chasglu a dadansoddi data ac, yn olaf, gyfleu'r canfyddiadau gwyddonol i gynulleidfa ehangach.
Bydd myfyrwyr yn datblygu set o sgiliau sylfaenol yn y pedwar maes sgiliau ymchwil pwysicaf sef sgiliau labordy ymarferol, dadansoddi data, cydweithio a chyfathrebu. Bydd y modiwl hwn yn un damcaniaethol a chymhwysol, lle bydd myfyrwyr yn cael eu hyfforddi mewn dulliau sy'n hanfodol ar gyfer casglu a dadansoddi data ond hefyd bydd disgwyl iddynt gymryd rhan yn y labordy, gan ddefnyddio dulliau arbrofol â chymhwysiad eang. Yn ogystal, bydd myfyrwyr yn dysgu am iechyd a diogelwch mewn amgylchedd labordy a'r rheoliadau moeseg presennol o ran y defnydd o bobl, meinwe dynol ac anifeiliaid mewn ymchwil feddygol.
Ar ben hynny, bydd myfyrwyr yn datblygu eu set o sgiliau cyfathrebu nid yn unig drwy ysgrifennu traethodau ond byddant hefyd yn datblygu eu sgiliau cyflwyno llafar a'u sgiliau cydweithio drwy gyflwyniad gr¿p a dosbarthiadau tiwtorial.
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PM-147
Introduction to Toxicology: The Dose Makes the Poison
We are surrounded by substances that may do our bodies harm i.e. poisons. The harm these poisons causes depends on our exposure - the dose. The science of toxicology, a discipline that crosscuts biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine, is based on the principle that the dose makes the poison. This module will provide you with an introduction to toxicology and how dose-response relationships relate to the physiological effects of toxic substances. You will explore how they produce cellular and chemical changes that cause tissues and organs to malfunction. You will learn how the structure and function of these tissues can be affected to varying degrees and begin to understand how tissue may repair itself and when the damage is reversible, permanent or fatal. You will also learn how we use toxic substances to our advantage in both the laboratory and within the clinic.
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PM-254
Doctors, patients & the goals of medicine
The educational intention of the module is to allow the student to consider the contemporary practice of Medicine within the United Kingdom. This will include understanding the professional regulation, financial constraints and societal and personal challenges, within which medicine and other healthcare activities are practiced.
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PM-273
Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
We are surrounded by substances that may do our bodies harm; these may be compounds used both clinically and recreationally. All compounds have the potential to do harm, depending on the dose.
This module will examine how we monitor drug exposure and the importance of pharmaco-/toxico-kinetics (i.e. a compounds absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion). The module will also examine how patients can become tolerant and/or addicted to compounds, and the underlying physiological changes which drive these processes.
This module will provide students with the opportunity to expand their toxicology knowledge and apply it to analytical, forensic toxicology and clinical toxicology. Students will learn about the experimental procedures and techniques we employ for the isolation and detection of compounds as well as their effects on biological systems. Students will then learn about the role of employing these methods in the field of forensic toxicology, the role of toxicology within the legal system and the role of clinical toxicology and patient presentation following poisoning events and the techniques we have for detection and treatment of toxicology within the clinical setting.
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PM-273C
Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
We are surrounded by substances that may do our bodies harm; these may be compounds used both clinically and recreationally. All compounds have the potential to do harm, depending on the dose.
This module will examine how we monitor drug exposure and the importance of pharmaco-/toxico-kinetics (i.e. a compounds absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion). The module will also examine how patients can become tolerant and/or addicted to compounds, and the underlying physiological changes which drive these processes.
This module will provide students with the opportunity to expand their toxicology knowledge and apply it to analytical, forensic toxicology and clinical toxicology. Students will learn about the experimental procedures and techniques we employ for the isolation and detection of compounds as well as their effects on biological systems. Students will then learn about the role of employing these methods in the field of forensic toxicology, the role of toxicology within the legal system and the role of clinical toxicology and patient presentation following poisoning events and the techniques we have for detection and treatment of toxicology within the clinical setting.
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PM-280
Skills for Researchers
The modern scientist graduate is expected to have gained extensive laboratory-based experience and this is certainly essential for any student intent on pursuing a research-based career. Skills for Researchers provides students with the opportunity to acquire the core skills to be able to conduct, analyse, interpret and present scientific experiments. A proportion of the module will be spent in the laboratory gaining hands-on experience. Skills acquired in this module will form the basis for future experimental work, including the final year project. Students will have the opportunity to provide feedback to peers and engage with a variety of online learning materials.
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PM-294
Pharmacology of Body Systems
Pharmacology investigates the chemical and physical properties of drugs, how those properties confer actions on living tissues and how those actions affect health and disease. In this module, students will build upon their previous pharmacology knowledge and look more in depth at how the body interacts with drugs (pharmacokinetics) and how the drug interacts with the body (pharmacodynamics).
In this module, students will study the drugs and therapeutics currently used in clinical practice and the underlying mechanisms of action of these drugs. Students will learn about the beneficial, therapeutic effects of drugs, but also some negative consequences of drug administration, such as toxicity, addiction and microbial drug-resistance. Additionally, students will learn about the cutting-edge therapies currently in development for treating disease.
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PM-294C
Pharmacology of Body Systems
Pharmacology investigates the chemical and physical properties of drugs, how those properties confer actions on living tissues and how those actions affect health and disease. In this module, students will build upon their previous pharmacology knowledge and look more in depth at how the body interacts with drugs (pharmacokinetics) and how the drug interacts with the body (pharmacodynamics).
In this module, students will study the drugs and therapeutics currently used in clinical practice and the underlying mechanisms of action of these drugs. Students will learn about the beneficial, therapeutic effects of drugs, but also some negative consequences of drug administration, such as toxicity, addiction and microbial drug-resistance. Additionally, students will learn about the cutting-edge therapies currently in development for treating disease.
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PM-340
Being a Medical Scientist
Much of a scientist¿s career is spent writing and speaking about science. The aim of this module is to give students a higher level experience of what being a lead researcher is like, away from the lab bench. Drawing on core knowledge from other modules, students will refine their oral and written communication and learn what leadership skills are needed to succeed in modern science. They will also be challenged to consider ethical aspects of research, including new technologies and the use of animal and human subjects. The module will be highly interactive, taught using informal lectures interspersed with students working in groups.
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PM-342
Advances in Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the science of how drugs act on the body and how the body acts on drugs.
Pharmacology investigates the chemical and physical properties of drugs, how those properties confer actions on living tissues and how those actions affect health and disease. In this module, students will build upon their previous pharmacology knowledge and look more in depth at how the body interacts with drugs (pharmacokinetics) and how the drug interacts with the body (pharmacodynamics).
In this module, students will study the drugs and therapeutics currently used in clinical practise and the underlying mechanisms of action of these drugs. Students will learn about the beneficial, therapeutic effects of drugs, but also some negative consequences of drug administration, such as toxicity, addiction and microbial drug-resistance. Additionally, students will learn about the cutting-edge therapies currently in development for treating disease.
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PM-344
Capstone Project
The aim of this module is to provide a capstone experience to students¿ learning, through participating in their own enquiry-based research project, with guidance from an academic supervisor. The project may be laboratory or non-laboratory based, but it will always involve a research question that is drawn from the literature, and focused on a topic relevant to the life sciences. It will ask a research question and involve the critical analysis of research findings. Students will refine their oral and written communication skills to a graduate level through an oral presentation and dissertation on their research findings and conclusions.
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PM-354
Cancer Pharmacology
Cancer remains a significant cause of mortality in the modern world. Current and emerging chemotherapies, and the rationale, experimental, and clinical evidence of the pathways or molecules targeted will be explored. Causes of treatment-related side effects, and the therapies used to address these, will be discussed along with the mechanisms that lead to anti-cancer drug resistance.
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PM-355
Drug Development and Regulation
This module offers a comprehensive introduction to clinical trials and drug development, focusing on both research methodology and applications in the pharmaceutical industry.
It covers the design, conduct, analysis, and critical appraisal of clinical trials using real, published studies. Students will explore early to late-phase trials, simple and complex designs, and how treatment effectiveness can vary across different populations.
In parallel, the module delves into the role of separation science and mass spectrometry in drug development, introducing key regulatory practices. Additionally, students will learn to track a drugs path through the body and critically evaluate its design.
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PM-366
Teaching Science
This module is for students with an interest in teaching, science communication, and medicine. Students will complete an enquiry-based research project, based within the field of pedagogy or science communication, with guidance from an academic supervisor. Projects may be completed in collaboration with local schools/colleges, community groups, science outreach programmes (e.g. Oriel Science), in clinical/patient settings, or within Higher Education. Students will engage with workshops and digital resources to introduce various themes surrounding pedagogy and science communication to prepare them for their research project. Students will be required to critically analyse their research findings and produce a teaching or outreach activity/resource. Students will refine their oral and written communication skills to graduate level through an oral presentation and dissertation.
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PMGM16
Genomics of Common and Rare Inherited Disease
This module examines the clinical features and presentations of both common and rare inherited diseases, emphasising the transformative role of genomics in their understanding and management. It considers perspectives from researchers, clinicians, patients, and families to provide a comprehensive view of the impact of genetic insights. The module also examines traditional and modern approaches to gene discovery, highlighting key techniques and strategies used in the genetic analysis of inherited conditions.
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PMGM17
Research Dissertation
This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent, substantive research project in a topic relevant to genomics. Working under the guidance of an academic supervisor, students will design and conduct a laboratory-based, computational, clinical, or literature-based study. The project will enable students to critically evaluate scientific literature, formulate a research question, develop and apply appropriate methodologies, and analyse and interpret findings. Outcomes will be communicated through a literature review, a research paper prepared in the style of a scientific journal article, and an oral presentation. The dissertation serves as the capstone of the MSc Genomic Medicine, allowing students to demonstrate advanced research competence, critical thinking, and professional skills in preparation for future academic or professional practice.
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PMGM21
Pharmacogenomics & Stratified Healthcare
Pharmacogenomics and stratified health care ensure that healthcare professionals offer the right treatment, for the right person, at the right time is a fast-developing area.
`Personalised medicine¿ is the buzzword of the moment, with advances in pharmacogenomic testing enabling more effective, targeted therapies to patients in the field of asthma, analgesia, oncology and beyond. Continued understanding of the genomic basis of drug response will reduce drug-related adverse effects, save costs, and ensure a better therapeutic outcome.
This module will provide a comprehensive overview of the analytical strategies and techniques used in pharmacogenomics and explore some of the challenges and limitations in this field. The module will also provide an overview of the different type of pharmacogenomic biomarkers currently in use or emerging and the current feasibility of delivering `personalised medicine¿ in the clinic.
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PMNMD0
Postgraduate Taught Masters Dissertation
In this module the student will be able to gain extensive specialist expertise in a chosen topic which could be targeted to their future career in the field of nanomedicine.
Students will be supervised by University academics and/or members of their research and innovation teams. A variety of project types are available that include:
1. Laboratory based experimental research and data analysis (dependant on laboratory access and capacity).
2. Analysis of experimental data originating from the project supervisor¿s laboratory*
3. Meta-analysis of publicly available experimental data*
4. Systematic analysis of publicly available reported data*
*potentially linking with Swansea¿s data health science or clinical trials unit.
Working with a dedicated academic supervisor students will develop a clear research question, experimental plan and derive, analyse and present research data.
The research topic choice will be made in conjunction with the supervisor, based upon novelty, feasibility and practical considerations on a 'first come first served' basis. The final approval of the topic rests with the project supervisor.
The module lead and academic tutor will provide additional support available throughout the module period.
A series of information sessions and engagement events such as the 3 Minute Thesis and employability for an innovative and integral part of this module.
A small number of placement opportunities may arise with external academic and industry partners. These opportunities will be highlighted early in the first semester, with placements, in the event of high demand, based on student academic performance.
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PMRM04
Capstone Research Project
This module builds on the knowledge and skills developed in teaching components in part one of their relevant programme. Students will work independently in order to critically explore and add to the evidence base for a topic of relevance to their area of study.
