SBMS0201A Current Topics in Medical Sciences
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Course Code |
SBMS0201(A) |
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Course Title |
Current Topics in Medical Sciences |
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Class Date |
14, 15, 16, 17, 20 and 21 July 2026 (22 July 2026 is reserved for class make-up in case there is any cancellation of classes due to bad weather or other unexpected factors.)
(23 July 2026 is reserved for class assessment, if any.) |
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Class Time |
9:00am – 11:30am |
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Teacher |
Assistant Professor School of Biomedical Science The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Assistant Lecturer School of Biomedical Science The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Senior Lecturer School of Biomedical Science Choh-Ming Li Basic Medical Sciences Building The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Lecturer School of Biomedical Science The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Professor School of Biomedical Science The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Senior Lecturer School of Biomedical Science The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
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More about Faculty of Medicine, CUHK |
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Medium of Instruction |
English |
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Pre-requisite |
Students studying HKDSE Biology or Combined Sciences (Biology), UK GCSE/IGCSE Biology, or International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology, or equivalent. |
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Course Description |
This module will cover some biomedical science topics that are of general interest or have demonstrated major advances in recent years. |
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Course Content |
Immunology and Immunotherapies (Dr. LEE Carol) Immunology is the study of the immune system which protects our body against pathogens. By harnessing the power of the immune system, immunotherapies can combat a wide range of diseases, especially cancer and autoimmune disorders. This lecture will cover the functions of key immune cells involved in the innate and adaptive immunity. It will also explore various types of emerging immunotherapies including CAR-T cell therapy, monoclonal antibodies and cytokine therapies, discussing their principles, clinical applications and challenges in modern medicine.
Know Drugs – Know Health (Dr. SINGH Kanchan Rao) Pharmacology is the scientific field that studies how medicines affect biological systems and how the body reacts to medicines. Pharmacological studies are fundamental to improving already existing medicines and designing new drugs. This lecture will introduce students to some basic concepts in clinical pharmacology and provide a basic overview of drug discovery, from bench side to bedside. It will also provide insights regarding the translation of this knowledge into professional opportunities in drug research and development, academia, clinical practice and pharmaceutical industry.
Hormones and Behavior (Dr. POON Hong Kit Sam) This lecture will provide an overview of neuroendocrine organs in brain. The anatomy, physiology and diseases of neuroendocrine organs (e.g. pineal, hypothalamus and pituitary) will be introduced. The hormonal effects on our behavior will also be discussed.
Brain Functions and Disorders (Dr. WAI Sen Mun Maria) This lecture will give an overview of brain functions and discuss some common brain disorders. Students will be introduced to the structural plan of the brain and the functions of different regions including motor control, sensory perception, special senses, consciousness, emotion, memory, and language. Moreover, brain disorders caused by brain injury, tumor, degeneration, and genetics, and the subsequent influence on normal brain functions will be discussed as well. With real and plastic brain models as both teaching and learning aids, students will definitely gain a better understanding of the brain.
Viral Diseases (Prof. TSUI Kwok Wing Stephen) This lecture will provide a brief introduction to some common and well-known pathogenic viruses, including SARS coronavirus, influenza viruses, hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency viruses. After attending this lecture, students will have a general understanding of the structure, diagnosis, dissemination and treatment of these viruses.
Stem Cells (Prof. CHEUNG Hoi Hung Albert) The development from a fertilized egg to a normal functioning human being is a miraculous process. During development, stem cells can differentiate into different types of cells in our body. In this lecture, the characteristics of stem cells and the methods for stem cell production will be introduced. Potential applications of stem cells for medical therapy and ethical issues on stem cell research will be discussed. |
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Learning Outcomes |
After completing this course, students will be able to: 1. Illustrate the roles of major immune cells in innate and adaptive immunity. 2. Discuss the principles, clinical application and challenges of immunotherapies in modern medicine. 3. Understand drug discovery and various phases of research. 4. Gather understanding of mechanism of action of drugs & basic principles of pharmacology. 5. Identify major endocrine structures like pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, and gonads, and describe their primary functions in regulating metabolism, growth, reproduction, and stress responses. 6. Understand the human body systems and how they are essential to life. 7. Describe the main features of pathogenic viruses and understand the pathogenesis and treatments of common viral diseases. 8. State the potential applications of stem cells for medical therapy. 9. Critique the ethical issues related to stem cell research. |
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Course Assessment |
Course work in 6 topics (90%) In-class participation (10%) |
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The above course information is subject to change and approval. |
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Last updated on 20 February 2026 |
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