Module: Molecular Diagnostics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Molecular Diagnostics
Module Code	BIO1024 (ITS: BE529AU)
Faculty	Biotechnology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	10167	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Naomi Walsh	Module Teacher	Denise Harold, Michael Freeley, Paul Cahill

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Short Answer Questions	In class MCQ and short answer questions relating to topics covered in molecular diagnostics.	50%	n/a
In Class Test	In class test on answering questions on selected articles to demonstrate gained level of knowledge of the molecular methods and techniques being used by researchers and practitioners	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None