Module Details

Module Code: CHEM8008
Title: Specialist Topics
Long Title: Specialist Topics : Immunoassays, Philosophy of Science
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4421 - Chemistry
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module presents material in two sections: Immunoassays, and The Philosophy of Science. The Immunoassay component deals with the working of the immune system and its use for the measurement of various analytes, with particular reference to the analytical use of antibodies and the precision of these methods. The Philosophy of Science component describes and evaluates the scientific method and the origins and development of science from early times, and addresses theories of ethics relating to moral aspects of science.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Outline how antibodies produced by the immune system can be used in diagnostic screening assays for the measurement and monitoring of various analytes
LO2 Design and validate an immunoassay method for the measurement of a particular analyte in an environmental or clinical sample
LO3 Identify the key historical periods in the intellectual development of western science
LO4 Compare and contrast differing accounts of the scientific method
LO5 Recognise and apply a range of ethical principles as they relate to various controversial issues in science
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Immunoassays Component
n/a
Antigens and Antibodies.
Detail of structure, composition and production.
Immunoassay Design and Optimisation.
n/a
Evaluation and Validation of Immunoassays.
Measurement of the Precision and Accuracy of newly designed method.
Immunoassay Types.
Enzyme-Immunoassays, Radio-Immunoassays, Fluro-Immunoassays and Chemiluminescent Immunoassays.
Philosophy of Science Component
n/a
History of science
Axial period in world history; transition from myth to logos; Pre-Socratics - Pythagoras, Hereclitus, Atomism; Plato and Aristotle; the scientific revolution in the 17c; empiricism and rationalism; the contributions of Francis Bacon, Galileo, Descartes, Newton.
Scientific method
Common sense view of science; inductivism; demarcation of science from non-science; scientific knowledge as cumulative; observation and experiment as foundation of science; the problem of induction; the observation/theory distinction; Popper's Conjecture and Refutation; Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions.
Ethics
Two major ethical systems outlined - deontology and utilitarianism; duties; rights; responsibilities; conflicts between rights and between rights and utility; applying ethical principles to issues such as: stem-cell research; cloning; genetic engineering.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 3,4,5
Assessment Description
Philosophy: theory test
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Immunoassays: theory test
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Immunoassays: 3 practicals to be held towards end of semester
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Philosophy of Science Every Week 2.00 2
Lecture Contact Immunoassays Every Week 1.25 1.25
Lab Contact Immunoassays Practical (3 x 3hr) Every Month 0.75 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Personal study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 9.25
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • A. F. Chalmers. (1999), What is this thing called science?, Third edition. University of Queensland Press, St. Lucia, Qld., [ISBN: 978 0 7022 3093 6].
  • David Wild. (2005), Immunoassay handbook, Third Edition. Elsevier, [ISBN: 9780080445267].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Thomas S. Kuhn. (1996), The structure of scientific revolutions, Third Edition. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL, [ISBN: 978-0226458083].
  • Karl Popper. (2002), The logic of scientific discovery, Second Edition. Routledge, [ISBN: 0-415-27844-9].
  • John Losee. (2001), A historical introduction to the philosophy of science, Fourth Edition. Oxford University Press, [ISBN: 978-0198700555].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SCHQA_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Analytical Chemistry with Quality Assurance 7 Elective