Admission requirements
None.
Description
This course introduces students to the biological foundations of health and disease, emphasizing their relevance to public health. Using open-access resources, students will explore how biological systems function, how diseases develop, and how biomedical knowledge informs public health interventions. Students will work from cellular mechanisms up to health research throughout the weeks, starting with cell biology and infectious diseases, through biological systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and metabolic, then examining the topics of reproductive health and the nervous system and mental health. Finally, they will explore biomedical research and health policy to understand real-world applications of biomedical topics. Weekly student-led case studies will foster active learning and demonstrate real-world application, using cases related to each week’s themes, such as COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, maternal mortality in low-income countries, and evidence-based medicine. Students will also present a final case related to one of the biomedical topics covered in the course, and further demonstrate their knowledge in a final exam.
Course Objectives
Students will be able to:
Describe basic biological systems and their relevance to public health.
Explain the biological mechanisms of common diseases and health conditions.
Apply biomedical knowledge to analyze real-world public health issues.
Collaborate and communicate effectively through case study presentations.
Demonstrate foundational understanding through a final exam
Timetable
Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2025-2026 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
Two sessions per week:
Theory Lecture (2 hours incl. 10-min break)
Student-led Case Study Session (2 hours incl. 10-min break)
Assessment Method
Case Study Participation, 25% (Active contribution to weekly student-led sessions (peer + instructor evaluated))
Group Presentation, 25% (In-depth analysis of a biomedical public health issue, presented in Week 7)
Final Exam, 35% (Covers core biomedical concepts and public health applications)
Engagement, Quizzes & Reflection Activities, 15% (Weekly pass/fail quizzes, attendance, and short reflection tasks)
Reading list
Reading materials will be shared in the syllabus and on Brightspace.
Registration
Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Emilie de Kanter, e.m.dekanter@umcutrecht.nl
Remarks
-