The third year begins with a research project and an accompanying Research Methods module, and two specialty advanced medical science modules usually chosen from subjects related to the project. Two modules will then prepare you for the first clinical phase which cover infections and anti-microbials, and therapeutics before you begin clinical work in your Clinical Practice and Community Follow-Up modules.
Anti-Cancer Therapies and Cardiovascular Disease
This module focuses on how cancer therapies have developed in recent years, and how the long-term cardiovascular effects of these treatments in cancer survivors should be considered.
Six lectures will cover: an introduction to cancer therapy, the role of VEGF in tumour angiogenesis, anti-VEGF cancer therapies, cardiovascular consequences of anti-cancer treatment, the role of alternative splicing and molecular targeting in cancer and future strategies for cancer therapy.
GPCR polymorphisms, disease and personalised medicine
This module aims to facilitate:
- an understanding of the major class of receptors in man, GPCRs, and their varied roles as drug targets
- awareness of the range of genetic polymorphisms in GPCRs and associated proteins linked with disease and drug action, backed by specific examples
- and critical evaluation of the ability to target such polymorphic variants therapeutically to deliver future medical advances.
This will predominantly be within the home base and there is a requirement for students to carry out significant private study including reading advanced texts, review articles and research papers on specialist medical science topics. It will be essential to demonstrate appropriate professional attitudes and behaviour.
Models and Approaches in Mental Illness
The module will explore theoretical, research and clinical approaches to the understanding of theaetiology and treatment of common mental illness/disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. It will draw upon international as well as local research in these fields at the University of Nottingham.
You'll gain knowledge and understanding of the following in common mental health:
- Models and approaches that are being used to understand how mental health problems are caused and/or maintained and how they can be treated
- Link between brain and cognitive function and underlying psychological and/or clinical problems.Methods used in research and clinical practice to study and/or manage the psychopathology of mental illness.
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods for Mental Health Research
The module 'Quantitative and Qualitative Methods for Mental Health Research' is designed so that students can acquire the concepts, skills and knowledge required to conduct and evaluate both qualitative and quantitative research in mental health and explore concepts and principles of psychiatry and applied psychology to enhance their evidence-based practice.
Critical Thinking Skills in Epidemiology and Public Health
This module is intended to prepare students for interpreting the literature they will read as practising physicians.
This involves teaching them critical thinking skills and includes examination of three medical topics covered by the assigned papers.
These will include the following study designs:
- case control studies
- randomised controlled trials
- cross-sectional population surveys
- cohort studies
Important issues in epidemiological research such as ethics and clinical constraints, case definition, research methods, power, bias and confounding and strength of evidence will be discussed, as relevant, for each paper.
Systematic reviews and national clinical guidelines will also be studied to understand the process of how these contribute to evidence based medicine. This will provide understanding of how individual research studies are brought together, evaluated for their quality. and combined to provide the recommendations and guidance that is used by healthcare professionals in practice.
Cancer
This module provides a clinical overview of cancer including:
- the molecular biology of cancer
- cancer angiogenesis
- pre-clinical modelling of cancer
- clinical trials and adjuvant treatments in cancer
- breast cancer: biology and treatment
- new biological treatments for cancer.
Principles of Surgical Infection
The module includes the following topics:
- Basic surgical microbiology revision
- Operating theatre rituals and their scientific basis (if any)
- Surgical aspects of various surgeries, for example: vascular graft surgery, orthopaedic surgery,neurosurgery, and gastro – intestinal surgery, with emphasis on infection prevention
- Scientific, pathological and microbiological aspects of the above. Identification and discussion of period of risk (different in each) and logistic/patient risk factors
- Prevention of surgical infection: identification of the problem and practical solutions. Relative contributions of hospital vs community pathogens, and of theatre vs ward sources.
- Treatment of surgical infection: therapeutic choices and their pharmacokinetic aspects
Methods in Public Health and Epidemiology
This module builds on previously taught techniques and principles that distinguish epidemiological research from true experimental research. It also provides an introduction to commonly used planning and decision making tools in public health practice.
Students will develop an understanding of how epidemiological research principles can be applied to public health medicine. Students are also introduced to statistical software packages and will learn to carryout basic statistical tests including chi-squared tests, t-tests and correlation.
They will also be introduced to advanced statistical methods such as logistic regression, multivariable analysis and meta-analysis. Students will develop an understanding of some of the core activities of public health practice and methodological approaches underpinning public health practice.
Developmental Neuroscience
This module will provide you with a conceptual framework relevant to embryonic, foetal, neonatal, childhood and adolescent growth and development. You’ll be introduced to the pervasive concept of human development as a programmed evolution in structure and function of the brain.
You’ll explore the need for development in human neuroscience with reference to brain embryology; pre-term birth, brain tumours; and epilepsies, and other current clinical research areas, from new-borns to teenagers.
The Molecular Pathology of Cancer
This module uses colorectal cancer as a paradigm of neoplastic disease and covers the molecular basis of cancer, the clinicopathological manifestation of disease and translational research.
Innate Immunity and the Immunopathology of Inflammation
Build on previous learning and acquiring knowledge to extend and deepen your understanding of molecular and cellular aspects of innate immunity and gain knowledge and understanding of the mechanistic basis of inflammatory diseases.
This will also enable you to appreciate the development of novel forms of therapy for inflammatory diseases.
Clinical Applications of Current Neuroglia Research
The module will cover the following topics:
- Introduction to neuroglia cells including historical perspectives and description of roles of neuroglia (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia) in CNS physiology
- The role and potentialuse as clinical targets of neuroglial cells in the following conditions will be described: insulininduced hypoglycaemia, demyelinating diseases, brain tumours, epilepsy and CNS regeneration
Respiratory Medicine
This module takes a deeper look at the field of respiratory medicine. It will see you develop your clinical knowledge and skills in:
- Clinical aspects of asthma and COPD
- Demonstration of peak flow, spirometry, and exhaled nitric oxide
- Interstitial lung disease
- Personalised medicine in asthma
- Lung cancer
- Respiratory infections
- Epidemiology of respiratory disease
Clinical Renal Physiology and Therapeutics
Kidney disease is relatively common and its incidence is increasing because of the ageing population and increases in the incidence of obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
This module focuses on the pathology and treatment of kidney diseases. This will predominantly be within an overview of renal structure and function, the clinical features of, and diagnostic tools used in, kidney disease, the pathology,assessment and management of kidney diseases such as glomerular disease,vascular disease, nephrotic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease.
Patient Safety, Human Error and Avoiding Harm in Healthcare
This module considers:
- the epidemiology of harm in healthcare
- theories of what safety means in healthcare
- models of how errors and harm occur
- the role of investigation in reducing harm
- the evidence for safety initiatives
- the role of human factors in delivering safe healthcare
Malignant Haematology
This module will provide an overview of normal haematopoiesis and current concepts in normal and cancer haematopoietic stem cell biology.
It will also:
- enable students to develop an appreciation of the causes, pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of haematological malignancies
- provide an insight into the laboratory tests important in the diagnosis, stratification and prognosis of specific malignant haematological conditions
- provide an overview of the diagnosis, treatment and management of haematological malignancies
- develop an appreciation of the rationale behind the national leukaemia trails
- give students an overview of the principles of stem cell transplantation
- demonstrate the new research findings (drugs, mutations, biomarkers etc) in malignant haematology which are improving management and outcome of patients and allowing the advancement of targeted therapy.