8 ECTS credits
237 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4022177DNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (D) Master - preliminary level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Om een inschrijving te kunnen nemen voor 'Topics in biomedical research' moet men ingeschreven of geslaagd zijn voor Farmacologie: basisconcepten, Pathofysiologie van de organen en inleiding tot de ziekteleer, fysiologie van de cel en de organen, Biomedische Genetica, Wetenschappelijke LIjn 3, Laboratory animal science I, ECMB II, ECMB III, Topics in de Farmacologie, Kwaliteitsmanagement, Formuleren en verdedigen van een wetenschappelijke hypothese, Klinische Labotechnieken, Ziekteprocessen: mol en cel basis en Bio-ethiek I.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculteit Geneeskunde en Farmacie
Department
Basis (bio-) medische wetensch
Educational team
Karen Sermon (course titular)
Mieke Geens
Activities and contact hours

39 contact hours Lecture
120 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content
A number of researchers that have an important research activity within the life sciences will first bring a general introduction on their research topic, followed by a more detailed discussion of their own work. They will do this primarily using the current literature and their own publications. The topics discussed are cancer, diabetes, hepatology, neuro-pharmacology, imaging and reproductive genetics. For each topic there will be two to four speakers.
Course material
Digital course material (Required) : De powerpointpresentaties worden ter beschikking gesteld van de studenten
Additional info
The powerpoint presentations will be made available to the students. Important references from the literature will be mentioned. These references will also be made available to the students. Two publications will be presented that will be used for the exam.
Learning Outcomes

General competencies

General
Evaluation of scientific relevance
By framing the current research at the VUB in the totality of the research the student will be able to recognise the relevance of the VUB as compared to other institutions in Belgium and abroad.

Topic-specific
Problem solving
The different researchers will each give examples of how problems in their domain are solved. The in-depth study of scientific articles will sharpen the problem solving capabilities of the students.

Extrapolation between scientific domains
Because of the diversity of the researchers with each their specific approach, but each time referring to basic principles in life sciences, the student will integrate different scientific disciplines.

Recognising and processing of implications for bioethics
Bioethics play an important role in a number of disciplines in life science research, such as research on human embryos and clinical research on healthy volunteers and patients, and should thus be recognised when relevant.

Aims
At the end of this OO the student:
• Should have acquired a deeper knowledge on discussed topics, and more specifically about research at the VUB
• Must be able to search scientific literature for relevant (review) articles
• Must be able to critically read scientific articles and to formulate questions
General
Evaluation of scientific relevance
By framing the current research at the VUB in the totality of the research the student will be able to recognise the relevance of the VUB as compared to other institutions in Belgium and abroad.

Topic-specific
Problem solving
The different researchers will each give examples of how problems in their domain are solved. The in-depth study of scientific articles will sharpen the problem solving capabilities of the students.

Extrapolation between scientific domains
Because of the diversity of the researchers with each their specific approach, but each time referring to basic principles in life sciences, the student will integrate different scientific disciplines.

Recognising and processing of implications for bioethics
Bioethics play an important role in a number of disciplines in life science research, such as research on human embryos and clinical research on healthy volunteers and patients, and should thus be recognised when relevant.

Aims
At the end of this OO the student:
• Should have acquired a deeper knowledge on discussed topics, and more specifically about research at the VUB
• Must be able to search scientific literature for relevant (review) articles
• Must be able to critically read scientific articles and to formulate questions

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 85% of the final mark.
PRAC Teamwork determines 15% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Schriftelijk examen with a relative weight of 85 which comprises 85% of the final mark.

    Note: Tijdens het schriftelijke examen zullen open vragen gesteld worden over één artikel per spreker die aan de studenten werden doorgegeven. De desbetreffende artikels mogen meegebracht worden naar het examen.

Within the PRAC Teamwork category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Groepswerk met presentatie with a relative weight of 15 which comprises 15% of the final mark.

    Note: Tijdens het groepswerk stellen studenten vragen op over een geselecteerd artikel en lossen de aan hen toebedeelde vragen (door een andere studentengroep en door de docent) op. De vragen en oplossingen worden mondeling gepresenteerd.

Additional info regarding evaluation
The written exam will consist of open questions related to one article per speaker that was presented to the students. The students are allowed to bring the articles to the exam.
Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biomedical Sciences: Biomedical Research (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Health Sciences: standaard traject (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)