2025/26 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MEDM5101M Research Informatics and Dissemination

15 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Lucy Stead
Email: l.f.stead@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Pre-requisite qualifications

Programme entry requirements

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

MEDM5101M Research Informatics and Dissemination equips students with some of the more generic skills needed for a successful career in the biomedical sciences. The modules teach two key aspects: informatics training is given in computational biology resources and tools; and coaching in dissemination pertains to how to both effectively assimilate, and subsequent present, scientific knowledge.

Objectives

This module aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively identify, assimilate and synthesise and communicate findings from biomedical research. The objectives of this module are to:

1. Develop graduates who can perform efficient and effective literature searches and critique the resulting literature;
2. Develop graduates who can use multiple methods of communication to disseminate biomedical research findings effectively;
3. Develop graduates who can understand fundamental concepts that underpin approaches used in computational biology;
4. Develop graduates who can use a range of computational biology databases and tools.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

LO1. Interpret and disseminate key information from scientific communication in a variety of forms;
LO2. Explain in detail fundamental computational biology concepts and approaches;
LO3. Evaluate and use multiple computational tools and databases appropriate to the study of DNA and proteins in the context of biomedical research.

Skills Learning Outcomes

SLO1 Demonstrate proficiency using various search engines to gather relevant data and information related to biomedical research, as well as using software to analyse data and produce diagrams illustrating concepts for inclusion in written reports and oral presentations. (working, academic, digital skills)
SLO2 Demonstrate critical evaluation of literature relevant to biomedical research and the ability appraise key concepts related to experimental approaches in biomedical research. (academic skills)
SLO5 Demonstrate the ability to present information in a clear, concise, and structured manner, both in a verbal and written form, and the ability to use visual aids appropriately to support written work and oral presentations.  (working, enterprise and academic skills)

Syllabus

The generic skills will be taught via seminars on:

How to identify (literature search strategies) and critique scientific research
How to present your research orally
How to design and present a scientific poster
How to write a scientific research paper (including referencing and publication ethics)

The computational resources will be taught via lectures and workshops on:

Databases and genome browsers: getting information about genes, their function and their association with disease
Genetic variation: identifying mutations in the clinical setting and querying databases of known natural (and disease causing) genetic variation
Assigning function: determining the potential effect of a genetic variation of unknown clinical significance
Protein structure: resources for inspecting potentially disease-causing changes to protein structure, and function.

This module also requires attendance at seminars and subsequent submission of a summary of at least 7 of these.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision	2	1.00	2.00
Lecture	4	1.00	4.00
Lecture	4	1.50	6.00
Practical	4	3.00	12.00
Seminar	7	1.00	7.00
Independent online learning hours			60.00
Private study hours			59.00
Total Contact hours			31.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Exercises set at the end of skills tutorials 2, 3 and 4 will be used for formative feedback and will constitute:

1. Identifying a model for writing scientific abstracts (LO1, SLO1,2,5) to be submitted within 2 weeks
2. A practice oral presentation (5 minutes presenting and 2 minutes for questions) to be given 2 weeks later (LO1, SLO1,5)
3. Feedback on poster design (LO1, SLO1,5)

Exercises completed during all four computational biology practicals will be collectively marked with formative feedback at the end of those sessions (LO2,3; SLO1, SLO2). The coursework based summative assessment is a single workbook in the same format, and covering the same subject areas, as the four formative practicals. The formative feedback will, thus, directly prepare students for their summative assessment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Coursework	Formative - Poster presentation	0.00
Coursework	Formative - Oral presentation	0.00
Coursework	Formative - Write an abstract	0.00
Coursework	A computer-based practical workbook	100.00
Coursework	Seminar notebook - Pass for progression	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The seminar notebook is a summary of learning from a minimum of 7 institute wide research seminars ( delivered both in person and online), and must be submitted in order to pass the module. The computer-based coursework is a workbook, to be completed in the student’s own time, that will assess understanding of computational biology concepts and ability to complete computational biology tasks. There is no compensation between assessments, students must pass each individual component in order to pass the module.

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 23/01/2025

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