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Summer School: Global Health and Medical Studies

Discover our Global Health and Medical Studies Summer School modules below, and if you’re unsure what to study, follow our top tips for how to choose a module.

Module information

Choose from a variety of modules:

Session One

• Global Health: Critical Reflections

  Module code: IS446

  (This module is multidisciplinary and there is no requirement for prior medical knowledge)

  The health and wellbeing of people differs widely across the globe. Do you want to know why such differences exist and what you could do to reduce such disparities and contribute to make this world a better place to live in?

  In this summer school, we will explore the social, political, economic and cultural elements that explain global health disparities. We will introduce you to the concepts of globalisation and global health, illustrate the global burden of disease, and by doing so, we will deepen your understanding of the inequities and inequalities between and within countries and why we think they exist. Then, we will focus on the main global health stakeholders and ´global health´ governance. We will explore diverse science paradigms that have dominated the way we analyse and comprehend the process of being healthy and ill, as well as how we approach global health issues. We will touch on concepts such as determinants of health vs determination of health (a Latin-American theoretical construct), decolonialism and equitable discourses in global health. We will demonstrate using current global health case studies in the field and highlight the research skills and evidence needed to inform policy and practice. The course will be delivered by global health experts at BSMS and our independent consultant Maria Cristina Quevedo-Gomez.

  Topics may include:

  1. Introduction to global health
  2. Global burden of disease
  3. Unequal world: colonialism, power, justice and ethics in global health
  4. Stakeholders in global health (global health governance)
  5. Doing global health research: equitable partnerships, collaboration and community participation - Practical examples from UK, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa
  6. Culture, cultural competence and global health
  7. Global health in action- learning through film (film from the field)
  8. Latin-American scholars’ contribution to global health theory and action-research  

  Learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate excellent understanding of current global health problems and their contributing factors
  • Demonstrate ability to critic terminologies and concepts used in global health e.g., equity, public health versus global health, developing versus developed countries, international health vs global health, interventions vs collective social action, social determinants approach vs social determination approach etc.
  • Understand the role of social, cultural, political, economic and other elements as determinants of health
  • Critically evaluate the diverse scientific and social paradigms that inform how we approach global health issues and employ a critical lens is assessing the role of decolonial discourses, power and equitable partnerships in global health
  • Demonstrate understanding of global health research process including participatory action-research and the challenges of doing research in global contexts

  Teaching method: Seminars, Workshops and Lectures
  Assessment: Observation 1 40%, Observation 2 40%, Reflective statement 20%
  Contact hours: 40 hours
  Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
  Level: 5

• Biomedicine and Genomics

  Module code: tbc.

  On this programme, you’ll learn about fundamental principles in cell and molecular biology. Extending to workshops in R, you’ll cultivate essential research skills.

  You’ll learn about advanced techniques such as CRISPR and qPCR through laboratory sessions. You’ll participate in journal clubs and collaborative student presentations, refining critical employability skills.

  You’ll enjoy lectures on contemporary research topics such as RNA vaccines in oncology and ethical considerations in AI, delivered by industry experts. With interactive teaching and learning approaches, industry visits, workshops, seminars, and active learning methodologies, this module gives you an employability-focused, current research-led course.

  Learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate understanding of cell and molecular biology, cancer genomics, Bioinformatics, AI and research techniques
  • Develop key academic skills e.g. data presentation, academic writing
  • Critically analyse and interpret experimental data
  • Develop key transferrable skills such as presentation, teamwork, communication

  Teaching method: lecture, seminar, workshop, practical
  Assessment: Presentation (30%), in class tests (20%), report and observation (50% (including 10% observation))
  Contact hours: 48 hours
  Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
  Level: 5/6

• Fundamentals of Medical Imaging with hands-on MRI

  Module code: IS453

  Medical Imaging is an umbrella term encompassing different techniques that depict the human body in order to diagnose and monitor medical conditions. Medical imaging plays a central role in medicine and global healthcare and has become indispensable in assessing and documenting the course of a wide range of diseases and response to treatment. Furthermore, medical imaging provides scientists with the tools necessary to develop, test, and track novel treatments for diseases such as cancer, dementias, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

  Medical imaging is arguably the most multi-disciplinary field in modern science and technology. Development, implementation, and application of imaging methodology requires expertise from engineering, computer scientists, chemists, biologists, clinicians -- to mention a few. Medical imaging is also one of the areas where AI tools may prove crucial in narrowing the healthcare disparities across the globe. This course is designed with this diversity of students’ backgrounds in mind.

  The course will cover the fundamental principles of medical imaging, including the basics of the 4 major medical imaging methods: Ultrasound, X-Ray CT, PET, and MRI. The focus will be on MRI and how it is used to capture both the anatomy and function of the human brain. The course will also provide hands-on experience with acquiring brain images using a 3T MRI scanner. Students will learn how to process and characterize MRI images from healthy volunteers. Functional MRI (fMRI) data will be used to learn the basics of statistical analysis used in neuroscience research.

  Students will have the opportunity to interact with the MRI team and also with clinicians and neuroscientists who use the MRI for research.

  Learning outcomes:

  • Describe the fundamental physical principles that result in the image intensity variations seen in X-Ray, Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
  • Acquire anatomical images of the brain using a 3T MRI scanner and describe how mathematical concepts such as spatial resolution, signal to noise ratio (SNR), point spread function (PSF), are used to interpret the images. 
  • Design a simple functional MRI paradigm (fMRI) and acquire fMRI images on a 3T scanner.  Describe how spatial and temporal resolution interact in fMRI acquisitions.
  • Apply mathematical tools, such as Fourier transform, and available software to analyse the fMRI images acquired on a 3T scanner.

  Teaching method: Lecture and MRI scanning lab sessions
  Assessment: Take home exam (30%), lab report (30%), presentation (30%), participation and engagement (10%)
  Contact hours: 36 hours
  Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
  Level: 5

Not sure how to choose?

Follow our top tips for choosing your modules. You can also find out about our teaching structure, assessment process and how your credits transfer back to your home institution.

Which school will I study in?

Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) is an equal partnership between the Universities of Sussex and Brighton together with NHS organisations throughout the South East region.

We have purpose-built teaching facilities in all areas.

Our medicine research

The research undertaken at BSMS aims to make a genuine contribution to the evidence and science underpinning clinical practice, and to benefit people and patients in their health and wellbeing.

We have made significant investments in research infrastructure, including:

• a world-class Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre (CISC), housing a 3T and 1.5T MRI and a PET- CT scanner
• a Clinical Investigation and Research Unit (CIRU) dedicated to patient-orientated research and early clinical trials.

Find out more about our medicine research.

You might also be interested in:

• fees and costs
• entry requirements
• how to apply.