You will be a better scientist after completing this unit.

Andy Preston who runs this unit is fantastic. There is no obligation to go to any lectures as you can choose the pathogens you want to study!

Instead, the LOILs focus around critical analysis of papers and viewing the field of pathogenesis as a whole (linking all different aspects together) - 2 skills essential for the exam so you get a lot of support from him. Andy also gives a lot of support directly for the exam (e.g. the "dos" and don'ts" in the exam).

The exams have very broad questions to allow assessment of any pathogen that you have chosen to study. They will not be pathogen specific. Instead, they focus on an area of the pathogenesis field.

Because you can base your whole study on non-lecture content, as long as you answer the question properly, you are basically guaranteed a first because all your stuff counts as extra reading.

How to study for this unit:
Choose your pathogens (min 1, max 3, 2 pathogens that have similarities and differences works well).
Identify the main areas of "pathogenesis" that could come up in the exam based on - (e.g. inflammation, experimental models etc).
Read a couple of review articles to get a good overview of the pathogens you've picked.
For the remainder of your studying, focus on PRIMARY research papers that cover each area of pathogenesis. You can start with reviews but make sure you open the primary papers that those reviews reference. Andy wants to see depth of knowledge on these papers (brief experimental detail, results, critical appraisal, what does the result add to the field) while answering the questions in the exam. You will not do very well if you only read reviews.
Make links between each of the pathogenesis areas. Assess what is missing from current research.

It's a hard unit but you get some great teaching and learn a lot in terms of skills. You will be a better scientist after completing this unit.