BI3BE8-Cardiovascular Disease

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: BI1BEC1 Building Blocks of Life or
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof David Leake
Email: d.s.leake@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The world’s leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease, mainly coronary heart disease and strokes. The underlying cause is most often atherosclerosis, in which cholesterol is laid down in inflamed arteries. This leads to thrombosis (clotting) and heart attacks and strokes, which are very sadly often fatal. You will learn the latest insights into the causes of heart attacks and strokes and how drugs, including the cholesterol-lowering statins, can be used to treat it. You will also discover how cardiovascular disease can be prevented by changes to our lifestyle and diet.

Aims:
The aim of this module is to describe, at the biochemical and physiological levels, the underlying causes of coronary heart disease and strokes. The scientific rationale for the development and use of drugs to treat cardiovascular disease is discussed.

Assessable learning outcomes:

The student will be expected at the end of the module to be able to:

• Discuss the current theories for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis


• Describe the biochemical mechanisms by which lipid-lowering drugs act


• Describe the main characteristics of strokes


• Recognise the importance of thrombosis in coronary heart disease and strokes and describe the biochemical mechanisms by which drugs act to prevent or treat thrombosis


• Discuss the causes and treatments of cardiac arrhythmias


• Discuss the causes and treatments of heart failure


• Discuss the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the mechanisms by which they act 


• Discuss the role of the diet in cardiovascular disease

Additional outcomes:

Students will gain the experience of giving a group talk.

Outline content:
The module describes the medical importance of coronary heart disease and strokes. The latest theories for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis are discussed, followed by the mechanisms that lead to thrombosis, strokes, myocardial infarctions, cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. The pharmacological treatment of cardiovascular disease is described in terms of lipid-lowering drugs, antithrombotic drugs and drugs to treat arrhythmias and heart failure. The risk factors, and the role of the diet, for coronary heart disease and strokes are discussed, together with their mechanisms of action.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Each week has two hours of lectures.  Each student will give a short talk as part of a group on a primary research paper of their choice concerning cardiovascular disease.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		16
Seminars		6
Guided independent study:		78
Total hours by term		100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	75
Oral assessment and presentation	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:
A two-hour examination

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Short talk on any aspect of cardiovascular disease

Formative assessment methods:

Immediate structured anonymous peer feedback is given on the individual student talks, followed later by individual feedback with suggestions for improvement by an academic member of staff

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Examination in August

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 October 2023