Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Introductory Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Module Code	BDI501
School	School of Biotechnology
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Tatyana Devine Semester 2: Tatyana Devine Autumn: Tatyana Devine
Module Teacher	Tatyana Devine
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

Students will come from a broad range of disciplines on entering the M.Sc. Biomedical Diagnostics course. This module is designed to ensure that students will quickly achieve the necessary background and understanding in fundamental biology, chemistry and physics dealing with general principles central to biomedical diagnostics. The module will also involve some research and discussion of problems/case topics in these basic sciences for diagnostics. Students will prepare a number of assignments based on these discussions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline key aspects of the fundamental sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
2. Explain general scientific principles underpinning the development of advanced biosensors.
3. Discuss several case studies in biomedical diagnostics.
4. Use the scientific literature to source relevant information on topics in diagnostics.
5. Demonstrate a profiency in scientific writing skills.
6. Apply a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving in diagnostics.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	30	Introductory lectures
On-line learning	10	On-line labs and lectures
Seminars	5	Guest lecturers
Independent learning time	40	Literature Search and Reading
Lecturer-supervised learning (contact)	10	Problem sets
Directed learning	5	case study papers
Independent learning time	40	Assignments preparation
Independent learning time	48	Essays preparation
Total Workload: 188

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Syllabus.
Two out of three of the following sections will be taken. Each section will be a five-day course consisting of 2 hours of lectures per day in the morning in which the subject and a simple problem/case study will be introduced. There will then be a 1or 2 hour exercise/practical later, which will be related to the problem/case study..

Section 1.
Biology.

1.Cell biology (structure, function and organisation of the cell). 2.
Gene structure and function, DNA/RNA and proteins 3: Introduction to Enzymology 4: Introduction to Microbiology, Cell Culture 5: DNA technology: Cloning , recombinant technology..

Section 2.
Chemistry.

1.General chemical theories and topics. 2.Introduction to Inorganic chemistry.
principles and applications. 3.Introduction to Organic chemistry: principles and applications. 4.Analytical chemistry: instrumentation and analytical techniques. 5.Common chemical assays and clinical diagnostics..

Section 3.
Physics.

1.Electricity and Magnetism. 2.Electromagnetic Waves 3.Atomic Spectoscopy. 4.Fluids. 5.Instrumentation.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Essay	Comprehensive essays on a case study in Biology, Chemistry and Physics	40%	Week 6
Assignment	A number of assignments including short essays and problem sets	60%	Week 6

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Campbell (Benjamin/ Cummings): 1996, Biology,
Giancolli (Prentice Hall): 2005, Physics, 6th,
Housecraft & Constable (Prentice Hall): 0, 2. Chemistry: An introduction to organic, inorganic and physical chemistry,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

ECSA

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)

ECSAO

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)