Very easy HD. Content wasn't too difficult, and didn't go into too extreme depth for a level 2 unit. In comparison to IMED2001 and 2002, the content is considerably easier. Unit has 27 lectures in total, split into 17 on genetics, 10 on embryology. Lectures were generally enjoyable to watch, and not too difficult to comprehend, with the only exception being some of the lectures delivered by Mark Cruickshank which were a bit dull on occasion, presented less enthusiastically than the other lecturers. In particular, the 3 embryologenesis lectures were very easy to understand, even for someone who strongly dislikes embryology; they were taught very succinctly, with aid of lots of diagrams. Some of the content is actually taught in previous IMED semesters, such as the pedigree conventions and how to recognise the four (main) types of inheritance on one. In terms of assessments, the in-semester tests were quite easy, with 100% being plausibly achievable. Workshop quizzes also were quite simple, and were not difficult to get full marks on either. The first SDL was a breeze, although the second one required more time and thought, and was more difficult. Content was assessed mostly superficially, occasionally going into depth in some areas, moreso with the genetics content than the embryology content. The exam wasn't too difficult, with a roughly even split over the course content, although a couple lectures weren't assessed, and the exam seemed to have more of a focus on the genetics lectures than the embryology lectures. PATH2211 is another unit coordinated by Mark Cruickshank, which may be useful to do in preparation for this unit, however there aren't many content overlaps, most notable one of importance is mentioning Holliday junctions as well, however this is a very small aspect of IMED2004 content-wise. The biggest overlap with PATH2211 is the two sequencing technology lectures done as part of the second SDL, which aren't assessed in the exam anyway. Not sure what the other 2023 review is talking about with lectures being dragged on, it definitely didn't feel like that was the case at all, as new content was continually introduced with every lecture. The 1 star lecture is right that Mark is often not enthusiastic, however fails to recognise that the sequencing technologies lectures are required for the SDL, and aren't assessed in the exam so don't need to be revised anyway. Note that some old reviews mention a "practicals & calculations" test, which doesn't exist anymore, and there are barely any calculations in the course anymore.

I found this unit to be a typical IMED unit, was not too easy or hard, toward the end with Epigenetics and cancer got a bit boring and you could tell they were dragging it out to meet the 12 weeks of lectures but it was a decent unit that is hard to fault, only pitfalls are it is slightly boring at times and repetitive

This unit was the most average IMED unit ever. The content wasn't too hard or too easy, but it can get boring and repetitive sometimes. The lectures were not always 100% the best, as some lectures were well explained, whilst others (usually by Mark) were worse to learn. The content does get dry, such as sequencing and the second half of the unit. The workshops were somewhat confusing, and the tests and quizzes were equally confusing. The SDL was super easy. The exam was not too bad though.

A rather dry and bland med sci unit with a couple of lectures that seem irrelevant (sequencing technologies etc). Lecturers are not enthusiastic either. Take this unit only if necessary.

A pretty standard med-sci unit: generally good lecturers delivering a large volume of content. The unit covers genetics in a lot of detail, and also outlines the processes through which body structure is zygotically defined, embryologically developed and enduringly maintained, with some cancer biology tacked on. While the more advanced genetic topics did become a bit laborious, the unit altogether is significantly easier than IMED2001 and IMED2002. The pracs and calcs test was quite tightly timed and required some problem-solving, and the exam multi-choice had a few weird questions, but all other assessments were straightforward.

Overall, this unit is okay. The content can get VERY dry and tedious at times (especially the Linkage/Gene Mapping lectures), and feels a little irrelevant. The calculations aren't actually too too bad once you get your head around them and do a few practice questions (this is coming from someone who's not very strong at maths). The marking turnaround time is great. Easy to get a D but decent effort required for a HD

A good med science unit where the content is pretty easy. If u trash at math, prepare to get cooked in the calculations test(unless you grind real hard for it), which could hurt your grade a lot. The unit in 2018 is very different from the unit in 2017 (Rob did not teach us anything, minimal biochem/signalling). Content is easy, but pretty much clinically irrelevant and useless. Knowing about the genetic patterns in queen bees is the epitome of clinical irrelevance. The pathology/cancer lectures at the ending were this units' saving grace content-wise.

A challenging unit but fairly doable. The practicals & calculations test will bring you down heavy if not prepared. Majority is irrelevant content in terms of future clinical practice, but that's most units anyway.

If you do badly on the calcs test, it will pull your grade down significantly. Content wasn't all that interesting, and it seemed random and irrelevant at times

Well organised unit and lecturers were quite helpful. Biochem was probably the hardest topic as we had limited time to prepare for the test. Other topics were very easy and the exam was extremely easy.