Experimental Design in Clinical Biomedical Sciences (4997)

  
Coordinating lecturer :Prof. dr. Piet STINISSEN 
  
Co-lecturer :dr. Nele CLAES 
  
Member of the teaching team :Prof. dr. Dieter MESOTTEN 
 Mevrouw Hanne OOSTERBOS 
 dr. Hilde KELCHTERMANS 
 dr. Isabeau VANBUEL 


Language of instruction : English


Credits: 8,0
  
Period: quarter 1 (8sp)
  
2nd Chance Exam1: Yes
  
Final grade2: Numerical
 
Sequentiality
 
   Advising sequentiality bound on the level of programme components
 
 
  Following programme components are advised to also be included in your study programme up till now.
    Bachelor's thesis (3748) 9.0 stptn
    Multidisciplinary biomedical research (5483) 7.0 stptn
 

Prerequisites

In ‘Multidisciplinary biomedical research (MBO)’ the student is taught skills to use during ‘Experimental design’:
- The student is introduced to the elaboration of each part of scientific research in biomedical sciences;
- The student acquires additional information to make a choice between the different BMS master specializations. The student applies lab skills by doing one week of research per specialization, namely 'Environmental Health Sciences (EHS)', 'Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease (MHD) and 'Bioelectronics and Nanotechnology (BEN);
- The student applies basic laboratory skills, information gathering and reporting;
- The student applies molecular biotechnological techniques in pairs under limited supervision (cell culture, nanoparticle and MIP synthesis, immunocytochemistry, FACS, spectrophotometry, RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis, qPCR, protein isolation, protein identification, western blot and (statistical) data analysis);
- The student analyzes results and performs an image analysis (Image J) of principles of confocal microscopy using a demo;
- The student presents results of partial studies in front of a small group;
- In pairs, the student draws up a coherent and scientifically founded final report in the form of a scientific publication based on his/her own research results obtained in the course of the MBO project.

In Bachelor's thesis, the student is taught skills to use during 'Experimental design':
- The studentmakes choices with regard to using the right lab skills for his own experiment;
- The student can report and present his/her own research results;
- The student creates his own scientific research.



Content

General aims
In this teaching block, the student will learn how experiments are designed, how results are analysed and communicated, and how follow up research is designed.

Concrete aims
After completion of this teaching block, the student has insight into:

  • Hypothesis and problem statement
  • Study design
  • The design and interpretation of figures
  • Poster design and presentation
  • Applied statistics
  • Communication of research findings
  • Scientific fraud and integrity
  • Validation and verification of scientific findings
  • Scientific English

In the KBW master the students gain insight in the setup and design of a clinical study and how the translation can be made from preclinial to clinical research. The student is also able to use molecular tools as experimental tools for clinical trials research



Organisational and teaching methods
Organisational methods  
Collective feedback moment  
Lecture  
Self-study assignment  
Small group session  


Evaluation

Quarter 1 (8,00sp)

Evaluation method
Written evaluation during teaching period26 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year
Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic yearThe evaluation consists of multiple parts. For all parts of the evaluation, at least a score of 8/20 must be obtained in order to pass for the course.
Take-home assignment
Report
Oral explanation
Oral evaluation during teaching period20 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year
Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic yearThe evaluation consists of multiple parts. For all parts of the evaluation, at least a score of 8/20 must be obtained in order to pass for the course.
Debat
Written exam40 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year
Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic yearThe evaluation consists of multiple parts. For all parts of the evaluation, at least a score of 8/20 must be obtained in order to pass for the course.
Closed-book
Case study
Multiple-choice questions
Open questions
Oral exam14 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year
Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic yearThe evaluation consists of multiple parts. For all parts of the evaluation, at least a score of 8/20 must be obtained in order to pass for the course.
Presentation
Evaluation conditions (participation and/or pass)
Conditions
  • Presence at the journal clubs and tutor sessions is obligatory.
  • The evaluation consists of multiple parts. For all parts of the evaluation, at least a score of 8/20 must be obtained in order to pass for the course.
Consequences
  • Students who are unjustified absent at the journal clubs or tutor sessions, receive as final grade for the course a N unjustified absent and have to attend the journal club in the next academic year to receive their final grade. The student needs to re-enroll in the course in the next academic year. In this case, partial grades can be transferred to the next academic year.
  • A student who achieves a score lower than 8/20 on one (or more) parts of the evaluation will receive F fail as final result. This final result is not tolerable. A student who scores at least 8/20 for all parts of the evaluation receives as score a weighted average of the different grades. This final mark is tolerable. Eg. 8/20 + 16/20 = 12/20 (passed).
Additional information

The written evaluation during the teaching period (26%) consists of an assignment with abstract, poster with oral presentation and participation during the tutor sessions. 

The oral evaluation during the teaching period (20%) consists of participation during the journal clubs and the workshop 'Scientific integrity'. 

The oral evaluation during the exam period (14%) consists of the oral presentation of the assignment.

 


Second examination period

Evaluation second examination opportunity different from first examination opprt
No
 

Compulsory textbooks (bookshop)
 

Textbook 1:

Scientific writing and communication, Hofmann A, 5th edition, Oxford University Press

ISBN: 9780197613795

 

Compulsory course material
 

Handouts of presentations and additional course material posted on blackboard



Learning outcomes
Master of Biomedical Sciences
  •  EC 
  • 1. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has a thorough knowledge of the molecular and cellular processes of the healthy and diseased organism and has insight in different methods for prevention, diagnosis and therapy of diseases.

  •  EC 
  • 10. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences knows the potential for valorization of biomedical research and can translate own research into translational research.

  •  EC 
  • 11. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can function in a multidisciplinary team and can fulfill a bridging function between the various actors in health care. The graduate knows the importance and needs of the various stakeholders within the life sciences.

  •  EC 
  • 12. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has an attitude for lifelong learning and for constantly adjusting one's own professional thinking and acting. 

  •  EC 
  • 2. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can independently and critically perform a literature search

  •  EC 
  • 3. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can draw up a new research hypothesis based on his or her own findings or based on the findings of others, and work out a research proposal for this.

  •  EC 
  • 4. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques within biomedical research and is able to apply these techniques, taking into account the applicable quality standards.

  •  EC 
  • 5. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can independently process and statistically analyze research results, and formulate conclusions.

  •  EC 
  • 6. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can report scientific findings in writing and orally to both experts and a wide audience in a structured way.

  •  EC 
  • 7. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences takes a critical attitude towards one's own research and that of others.

  •  EC 
  • 9. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can set up, conduct and report biomedical research in an ethical manner and with integrity, taking into account current regulations.

 

  EC = learning outcomes      DC = partial outcomes      BC = evaluation criteria  
Offered inTolerance3
first year Master of Biomedical Sciences - Clinical Biomedical Sciences J



1   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.12.2, section 2.
2   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.15.1, section 3.
3   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.16.9, section 2.