Module: Molecular Diagnostics

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Molecular Diagnostics
Module Code	BE529AU (ITS) / BIO1024 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Naomi Walsh
Module Teachers	Denise Harold, Michael Freeley, Paul Cahill
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

Module Aims: The module is intended to provide a broad survey of molecular diagnostics. It will cover a number of topics including genomics, proteomics, diagnostic platforms and applications, and the underlying key technologies used in molecular diagnostics. The course will also provide insights on where the field of molecular diagnostics is heading and what the key challenges are.

Learning Outcomes

1. Exhibit a critical awareness of the drivers of molecular diagnostics which include nucleic acid and protein structures, disease treatment and management, and healthcare economics.
2. Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of major molecular diagnostic technologies and their application to diagnostics.
3. Critically evaluate a range of molecular diagnostic assays and select the most appropriate assay to address a challenge relating to diagnosis of a particular disease or condition.
4. Exercise initiative by trouble-shooting a serious problem during development of a molecular diagnostic assay.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	14	Online lectures on a variety of topics in Molecular Diagnostics
Assignment Completion	40	Assignment
Independent Study	65	Independent study of lecture material and directed reading resources.
Tutorial	6	Tutorials on Molecular Diagnostics to support and complement the lectures.
Total Workload: 125

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

Molecular Diagnostics
Historical Overview of Diagnostics; Central Dogma of Biology and Genomics; Technology Fundamentals (Sample preparation, Gel electrophoresis, DNA probes); Key Genomic Technologies (PCR, Microarray); In-Situ Hybridisation; DNA sequencing; Case studies in genomics and assay trouble-shooting; Proteomics.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	An assignment relating to molecular diagnostics.	50%	n/a
Loop Exam	Two Loop exams worth 25% each	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Lela Buckingham: 2012, Molecular Diagnostics: Fundamentals, Methods and Clinical Applications, 2, 978-0-8036-26

Other Resources

None