Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	Foundations of Medical Science and Practice 4: Brain, Decision Making, Reproduction and Cancer
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Birmingham Medical School
Module Code	01 26403
Module Lead	Renate Reniers
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	40
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-98 hours Tutorial-23 hours Practical Classes and workshops-30 hours Guided independent study-249 hours Total: 400 hours
Exclusions
Description	The module is formed of 4 ‘core’ components, designed by a team of academics, researchers and clinicians teaching and practising in their specialisms, which in part build on material covered in Semester 1, 2 and 3. These four elements cover: Reproduction, Endocrinology and Development Reproduction, pregnancy and parturition, developmental monitoring and endocrinology are major areas of clinical medicine that are extensively serviced by the National Health Service. These areas of clinical medicine are highly interlinked and disorders can be associated with, for example, puberty, irregular menstrual cycling, infertility, miscarriage and many others. Cancer, causes to cures Cancer is a genetic disease at a cellular level. Understanding of disease progression and choice of treatment requires a deep knowledge of cell and molecular biology. Therefore, the cancer component of the module is built on knowledge of basic biology acquired in the first year of the course. Brain and Behaviour The human brain is an extraordinarily complex organ and the role it plays in human behaviour and function is still not fully understood. Neurological and psychiatric conditions commonly present in clinical practice and their diagnosis and treatment requires a thorough understanding of the basic underlying scientific principles of nervous system function. Decision Making Students will consider the importance of biopsychosocial interactions in a range of complex behaviours and experiences relevant to medicine (for example, pain, consciousness & sleep, learning & memory, euthanasia, abortion, mental illness, addictions). They will consider the complexities of doctor-patient relationships, multi-professional clinical teams and factors that influence decisions about patient management. Students will learn and practise applying core epidemiological, ethical, legal, social science and psychological knowledge and skills covered in earlier modules and this one to complex disorders and typical clinical situations relevant to Brain & Behaviour, Cancer and Reproduction, Endocrinology & Development.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Doctor as Scholar and Scientist Demonstrate an understanding of the functional organisation of the central nervous system and its functional communication with the peripheral nervous system. Demonstrate an understanding of the normal functioning of the central nervous system and to apply this knowledge to predict how function may be altered by damage, aging and disease. Demonstrate understanding of how the function of the central nervous system may be modified. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the major processes involved in the development of the nervous system. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic biological features of tumours and individual cancer cells in vivo. Demonstrate an understanding of the causes of cancer. Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of cancer as a result of genetic mutation at the cellular level; being able to recognise the importance of mutation in different classes of genes and their consequences. Demonstrate an understanding of gamete production in both the female and male reproductive systems Demonstrate an understanding of the process of fertilisation from the point of ejaculation to the zygote stage Demonstrate an understanding of development from the zygote to birth Demonstrate an understanding of childhood and adolescent growth Demonstrate an understanding of stem cell biology as a current and future aspect of medicine Demonstrate an understanding of psychological factors that contribute to, or are responses to: health, illness, and successful medical treatment. Demonstrate an understanding of sociological factors that contribute to, or are responses to: health, illness, and successful medical treatment. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of epidemiology as applied to cancer, maternal and mental health. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of ethics and law as applied to a range of ethical dilemmas in medicine. Doctor as a Practitioner Demonstrate a basic understanding of the approaches to screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Recognise the importance of an integrated approach to understanding the causes and mechanisms involved in the growth and spread of a tumour leading to its diagnosis, pathology and treatment. Demonstrate an understanding of childhood and adolescent growth Apply psychological principles, method and knowledge to medical practice. Apply social science principles, method and knowledge to medical practice. Apply ethical and legal principles, method and knowledge to medical practice. Apply the principles, method and knowledge of population health and the improvement of health and healthcare to medical practice. Doctor as a Professional Work in small groups, using the library and other resources, including knowledge gained during the module to research clinically based problems, and present the findings at peer assessed sessions. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of ethics and law as applied to a range of ethical dilemmas. Demonstrate clear moral and legal reasoning to a range of medical ethical dilemmas. Learn effectively within a multi-professional framework.
Assessment	26403-01 : Foundation 4 Overall : Exam (School Arranged) - Written Unseen (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	EXAM: MCQ (N=100), VSAQ (N=30), SAQ (N=13) ABREVIATION KEY: MCQ = multiple choice question//SAQ = short Answer question//VSAQ = very short answer question
Other	None
Reading List