The Design Thesis Report is where MArch Design for Performance and Interaction students have the opportunity to develop the theory that underpins their design work. This may be derived from theories of performance, cybernetic and systems theory, theories of perception and cognitive neuroscience, cultural theory, technology and architectural history or any other relevant field. As projects develop, the theory tutor engages with the theoretical basis that underpins the project work in seminars and individual tutorials.  Students are asked to write an illustrated critical evaluation of a key aspect of their final design project as the design proceeds. In it, they refer to appropriate theoretical and technical sources and demonstrate how the information from these sources is synthesised in the design. A draft report is submitted at the end of Term 3. Tutorials run through Term 3 and over the summer period (both face-to-face and online) and the final document is submitted at the start of Term 4 in September. The design report is presented in, for example, the form of a conference paper where students describe experiments, both physical and digital as appropriate. Students subsequently use verbal presentation experience gained in design modules to present an abbreviated version of the paper at a conference at the beginning of term 4 that is open to incoming students.

This module is confined almost entirely to the postcranial skeleton (the skull is covered in detail in Variation and Evolution of the Human Skull)

It is...

Morphology and Palaeopathology of the Human Skeleton (ARCL0114)

This module presents an introduction to research into the diagnosis, developmental mechanism, prevention and treatment of birth defects at the UCL Great Ormond...

Birth Defects: Basic Research to Clinical Application (ANAT0024)

This module presents an introduction to research into the diagnosis, developmental mechanism, prevention and treatment of birth defects at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. It will provide a biological overview of normal embryonic development, highlighting genes and mechanisms by which birth defects arise. Leading scientists will present their efforts to translate progress made into the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying birth defects into the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Lectures will cover a variety of topics ranging from Clinical Diagnosis to Basic Research and Novel Therapies. Tutorials will explore and expand the lecture content in more detail, via group discussions and case studies. A reading list and further on-line learning resources will be provided through Moodle.

After taking this module students should be able to:

Describe the most common birth defects and their clinical features
	Understand the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms of birth defects
	Explain how environmental factors can lead to birth defects
	Identify key developmental genes and pathways
	Describe research methods to determine the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of birth defects
	Outline future potential intervention strategies for birth defects
	Use their acquired knowledge on the subject and techniques to interpret and discuss contradictory observations.
Tutors: Dr Erwin Pauws (e.pauws@ucl.ac.uk) and Dr Paula Alexandre (p.alexandre@ucl.ac.uk).