Medical Sciences (Final Year Entry)

Neuroscience examines the brain, which is responsible for our entire nervous system; including how we process formation which influences how we feel, behave and remember things. This module will give you a fascinating insight into the latest major research fields in neuroscience. At the beginning of the course, you’ll review the structure and function of the neurone, explore human neuroanatomy and the development of the vertebrate nervous system.

As you delve deeper, you’ll then focus on the development of the brain, and how neural systems give rise to sensory perception, learning and memory, speech and language, motor control, vision, sleep-wake cycling and circadian rhythm. You will have the opportunity to develop and carry out your own in-depth study on a particular interest in neuroscience research, which will be assessed by a series of case studies and a reflective journal based on a visit to Oxford University / OUH clinical neuropathology. 

Evidence Based Medicine (EBM), also known as Evidence Based Practice, refers to the deliberate, careful and thorough use of clinical research, review and appraisal to ensure patients receive the best possible clinical care. This module will explore many aspects of evidence-based medicine, introducing public health and policy, drug design, diagnostic screening and epidemiology. The module will also include the wide range of diagnostic tools which are available and used within the health system in the UK.

The aim of this module is to reflect on the growth of genetic analysis  as part of healthcare diagnostics, treatment and monitoring. As technologies advance, the ability to use whole genome data offers clinicians more information on the pathology of diseases, but at a cost of being much more complex. This module sets out to inform the key areas in this field, and how it can be used in practise in healthcare.

This module involves an extended study (normally library-based) of a topic of the student's choosing that is relevant to their degree but not formally taught. The topic will normally focus on a specific area of interest. Students will work independently, with support given by a supervising member of staff in the form of tutorials where progress is reviewed and discussed. Much of the student's effort will typically involve library-searching, reading, reviewing, assimilation and synthesis of material for preparing an extended essay reviewing and critiquing the chosen topic.

The module will explore our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie human cancer and explore some of the possible therapeutic targets and treatments. Understanding the molecular and cellular basis of disease is vital for dissecting the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and for designing appropriate and effective treatments.

The module explores the physiological mechanisms of disease states that disrupt the normal functioning of the respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, renal and neural systems. You will learn from lecturers who are actively engaged in cutting edge research or are highly experienced practicing physicians in the fields of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In addition the content will include a review of dyspnoea (breathlessness) and angina (chest pain) as the cardinal symptoms of cardiopulmonary disease and recent advances in our knowledge of the neurophysiological mechanisms of these symptoms that has led to an exploration of new therapeutic approaches.

This module focuses on the development of the professional skills, personalised to your career ambitions. You will select three ‘podules’ from a selection of podules, which draw upon our research expertise and links with external partners. Podules will cover a wide range topics relevant to your degree, such as advanced microscopy, protein biochemistry, species identification, geographic information systems, entrepreneurship or science communication. Each podule consists of an introductory lecture, plenty of hands-on experience, and a seminar in which you will learn more about the application of ‘your’ skill in different contexts.

The module draws students to consider the impact that science has had on all aspects of our lives, aiming to set that influence in its social and historical context. We will address alternative views of the world, how they have been developed or replaced in the context of science and have a clear look at the strengths and weaknesses of a scientific world view. Ideas about the value of other life forms will be explored and environmental philosophy will be discussed. In this light we will discuss some of the modern contentious ideas and possibilities, such as Genetic Modification, organic farming, fracking, stem cell research, manipulation of the human genome and designer babies. The political, economic and moral context of the current environmental crisis will be discussed.