Methods in Biomedical Research

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course is aimed at giving the student a theoretical overview of methods commonly used in basic biomedical research and practical experience with selected methods. The course also provides training in literature search and the use of reference managing software. Finally, the students are trained in how to present scientific problems and research results in an academic and scientifically correct manner.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge

  • Explain and place into context commonly used methods and approaches in basic biomedical research.
  • Explain useful applications of various methods to given problems within cellular and molecular biology.

Skills and competences

  • Plan and conduct experiments, analyze the resulting data, and critically interpret and evaluate the results.
  • Search for, present, and make use of scientific literature.
  • Present their own research in an academic manner.

Semester of Instruction

Autumn

Recommended Previous Knowledge
Fundamental knowledge of molecular and cellular biology. The student must also be familiar with basic concepts of molecular biology methods such as polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis (with and without SDS) for separation of proteins and DNA/RNA, agarose gel-electrophoresis for separation of DNA/RNA, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cDNA.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Students of the Biomedical Sciences MSc program at the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Bergen.
Teaching and learning methods
The course takes place during 13-14 weeks. The course begins with 4 weeks of lectures (between 8-16 hours/week) and an introduction to practical laboratory work, followed by 2 weeks with introduction to data analysis, and concludes with 7 weeks of experimental laboratory work under supervision. During the weeks of data analysis and laboratory work, regular working hours are expected (around 40 h/week). This means that it is difficult to combine this course with other courses.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
The practical introduction to data analysis and all laboratory work are mandatory.
Forms of Assessment

The assessment consists of two parts:

  1. Exam after completing theory lessons.
  2. Submission of term paper after placement in the lab.

They account for 55% and 45% percent, respectively, of the total exam result, while the practical data analysis assignments will be graded as pass/fail. All parts must be passed for course fulfillment.

Grading Scale
A-F
Assessment Semester
Autumn
Reading List
"Bioanalytics : analytical methods and concepts in biochemistry and molecular biology" by Lottspeich & Engels, review articles, original articles, and handouts.
Course Evaluation
Written evaluation using electronic/digital evaluation tool.