Summer School: Science, Engineering and Medicine
Study a range of complex and vital topics in our broad range of modules.

From brain scanning to ecology
Be inspired by our expert academics and high-quality facilities while pursuing your passion for science, engineering and medicine.
Choose from modules on everything from conservation to psychology to physics.
Register your interest for Undergraduate Summer School 2026
Complete this form to receive updates about the Summer School:
Session 1: Monday 29 June-Friday 17 July 2026
Session 2: Monday 20 July-Friday 7 August 2026
Session 1 and 2: Monday 29 June-Friday 7 August 2026
Email summer@sussex.ac.uk with any questions.

Undergraduate Summer School 2025 student, studied the ‘Medical Imaging with Hands-on MRI Experience’ (now called ‘Exploring the Brain: Hands-on Neuroimaging’) module
Modules you can study
Select from the following modules:
Session One
- Intensive Introductory Physics for Life Sciences (1)
Undergraduate Summer School – Physics
- Video transcript
[Woman speaks to camera]
Hi. My name is Dr Jackie Grant, and I'm the Academic Lead on the Physics Summer School.
Our modules are designed specifically for students from Life Sciences and Biomedical backgrounds.
The programme is designed to provide firm foundations for those going on to future careers in medicine and life sciences,
It's essentially a year's worth of physics, taught intensively over eight weeks.
However, you'll be supported throughout by small class sizes, hands on laboratory workshops, and interactive teaching.
There's a real focus on conceptual understanding and application of those concepts.
By the end of summer, you'll have gained confidence in solving real world physics problems. You'll be writing scientific reports, carrying out experiments, and analysing your own data.
The Physics Summer School has been running since 1996. It is the most established programme of its kind in the UK, and we have years and years of experience in supporting students who are new to the subject, studying intensive physics in this way.
Our Physics department sits proudly alongside the School of Life Sciences and the Medical School.
Today I’m in the quantum sensing laboratory where colleagues who teach with me on the summer programme are using fundamental Physics to look at, for example, non-invasive blood flow techniques, nerve cell communications and magnetic fields from neural activity.
These have real world applications from the fundamental physics that we all work on in our Physics department.
Everyone who works on the summer programme is looking forward to welcoming you to our Physics department and to our Physics Summer School.
[End card: fade out of blue, green and purple colours with the 名媛直播 logo]
Module Code: ISP01
This module is suitable for those on Life Sciences, Engineering and Medical pathways. It is also suitable for other pathways with appropriate pre-requisites.
This calculus-based module will provide a firm foundation in physical concepts and principles, covering kinematics and dynamics, fluids, elasticity, wave motion, sound, ideal gases, heat and thermodynamics. Applications of physical concepts will be stressed, particularly those related to biological and medical phenomena as well as those forming the basis of much of modern technology. You gain further insight into the physics taught by carrying out a series of laboratory experiments and learning how to analyse and interpret the data.
Recommendation: This is an intensive module, requiring good mathematical skills, including algebra and trigonometry and a knowledge of vectors and of differential and integral calculus. We also recommend that you view our Maths preparation and . Please check with your home institution that your mathematics is at an appropriate level.
Note: For a 15-credit module taken over four weeks you need to do about 85 hours of self-study over and above the scheduled 65 contact hours. This means that you should be working for about 20-25 hours per week, on average, in addition to attending classes. You need to bear this in mind when planning trips and travel and outside class.
Learning outcomes:
- have a basic knowledge of the physics topics covered in the course
- be able to solve physics problems at the appropriate level which requires use of this knowledge
- be able to demonstrate familiarity with simple scientific equipment, make accurate measurements, keep records of observations, analyse and interpret data and write scientific reports on experiments.
Teaching method: Laboratory, lectures and workshops
Assessment: 65% Exams, 25% Practical Laboratory Reports, 10% In-class tests
Contact hours: 82 hours, with 28 hours additional support, totalling 110 hours
Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
Level: 4
Laboratory Fees: £300 - Video transcript
- Clinical Psychology and Mental Health
Undergraduate Summer School – Psychology
- Video transcript
[Man speaks to camera]
Hi, my name is Dave Smalley. I'm Associate Professor here in the School of Psychology, at Sussex. I'm very excited to tell you about two summer school modules that we are offering.
The first of those is Psychology Now. Psychology Now covers lots of contemporary issues, different applications of psychology.
You may not be aware, but actually just about every part of your life is relevant to the study of psychology. We want this module to entice you in and to help you to learn why psychology really is a fascinating subject to learn about.We also have a bit more of a focused module on Clinical Psychology and Mental Health. A dedicated application of psychology. One of the big fields. We cover all sorts in this module, including the etiology, what causes mental health issues, the diagnostic process, understanding mental health issues, and also how we support individuals with mental health issues.
It's really appropriate for those in specialisms already in Psychology, but also Biology or Neuroscience, because there's a massive overlap in those areas and that means it dovetails really nicely with some other Summer School modules that we have on offer as well.
Having worked with the Summer School for over ten years, what I can tell you is our students really like the campus university feel.
They like that we're part of a National Park and that we’re a very friendly, supportive school as well. We’re a large school with internationally respected faculty across all sorts of areas, and we're always willing for you to pop in and chat to us and learn a little bit more about what we're doing here.We're really looking forward to welcoming you to the 名媛直播 this summer.
[End card: fade out of blue, green and purple colours with the 名媛直播 logo]
Module Code: IS422
This module is for you if you're currently in or are progressing onto psychology, biology and public health. You will be introduced to the most common psychological disorders, explore contemporary issues with regard to both diagnosis and treatment. You will receive a basic understanding of the causation, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.
Teaching involves a blend of lecture and seminar methods, and you will have the opportunity for small group work, interacting effectively within a team, exploring key societal issues and debates pertaining to the conceptualisation and treatment of mental health. For each group of psychological disorders, you will learn about diagnostic criteria, key theories of causation across a range of models (such as biomedical, cognitive and psychological models), and the efficacy of therapies and/or treatments available.
Typically (but this can change from year-to-year) you will explore anxiety disorders (like social anxiety), mood disorders (like depression), and psychotic disorders (like schizophrenia), but coverage of disorders is not limited to these groups. You will also have the opportunity to consider the societal consequences of medicalising mental health and explore contrasting non-mainstream approaches.
Learning outcomes:
- demonstrate an understanding of the theories applied to explain the causation, maintenance and treatment of the most common mental health disorders
- demonstrate an understanding of key societal issues and debates pertaining to the conceptualisation and treatment of mental health
- analyse and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of competing theoretical perspectives and/or research evidence
- interact effectively as a group, sharing experiences, giving and receiving information and ideas and modifying responses where appropriate.
Teaching method: Lectures, seminars and tutorials
Assessment: 65% essay, 25% group presentation, 10% observation
Contact hours: 40 hours Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
Level: 5If you are interested in this module, you may want to build on your experience in the Session Two module Exploring the Brain: Hands-on Neuroimaging.
- Video transcript
- Translational Neuroscience: Molecules to Medicine
Undergraduate Summer School - Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
- Video transcript
[Man talks to the camera]
Hi, my name is Dr Greig Joilin. I’m Assistant Professor in Biochemistry and Biomedecine in the School of Life Sciences at the 名媛直播. And I'm really excited today to talk to you about two of the Summer School modules that we're offering here, which may be of particular interest for those of you doing pre-med.
So the School of Life Sciences has a rich research portfolio focusing on molecular diagnostics, neuroscience and drug discovery. And what we're able to do is pull in all that expertise into the first module, Translational Neuroscience.
In this module, you'll be learning about how the information in our genes and our cells are expressed, and how that can contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as motor neurone disease and Alzheimer's disease.
What you'll actually be doing during that module is you'll be here in the lab doing research experiments, collecting data, analysing that data, and putting it all together so that you're able to present that data in a clinical setting.
So in collaboration with our colleagues in the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, we're able to offer a second module, Exploring the Brain. Now in this module, you're going to have hands on experience with using a real FMRI machine where you'll be able to design a study, collect the data, analyse it, and write it up into a scientific report in the clinical neuroscience field.
Now, this is a really unique opportunity that none of our undergraduate students get. So this is really going to help you stand out on your CV.
So in these six weeks, you will understand how information in our genes contributes to development of disease and how you can explore that experimentally and clinically through a series of hands on experiences. So we look forward to seeing you here at Sussex in the summer.
[End card: fade out of blue, green and purple colours with the 名媛直播 logo]
Module Code: IS458
This module will introduce you to the core principles of neuroscience and translation, including the core structural and functional principles of the brain. It will provide a deep-dive into neurological disease from molecular, cellular, and clinical perspectives and with clinically oriented sessions will be offered including cadaveric anatomy, neuroimaging, and patient-facing skill building. It will offer hands-on laboratory practical experience in molecular and cellular techniques, supported by focused workshops and seminars.
You will undertake a lecture series providing contemporary perspectives in translational neuroscience, which will be solidified through seminars investigating cutting edge research in the field. You will also gain hands-on laboratory experience, allowing application of learning in translational neuroscience to research practice, further supported by workshops to develop critical data analysis and evaluative skills. Further, clinically focused cadaveric anatomy classes, introduction to patient-facing skills, and imaging techniques will provide you with a valuable bench-to-bedside experience.
An academic poster assessment and skills evaluation will provide the opportunity to combine theoretical and practical learning with independent research, while developing competencies crucial for the pre-medical student portfolio.
The module will be situated within Sussex Neuroscience, a centre for excellence in neuroscience, of over 50 independent research groups and collaborations with Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
This module is suited to 2nd year University level students. It is suitable for students from a variety of life sciences and medical studies backgrounds. It is particular suited to those looking for practical experience and exposure ahead of applications to medical school or health careers
Indicative weekly schedule and content:
Week 1:
- lectures: Introduction to structural and functional properties of the brain; synaptic communication and the motor system; Molecular and cell biology of neurodegenerative diseases; genetic targets and diagnostic procedures
- journal club
- pre-lab workshops
- practicals: qPCR and immunofluorescence imaging.
Week 2:
- workshops on qPCR data analysis, group work and poster preparation
- lectures: Pharmacological targets; drug discovery process targeting neurodegenerative disease
- journal club
- seminar: Biomedical careers and Q&A
- group work: Poster presentation for assessment.
Week 3:
- lecture: anatomy, with cadaveric brain and spinal cord sessions
- workshop: Hands-on MRI and fMRI, including data interpretation
- seminar: Interaction with clinicians through seminars and lab tours
- group presentations: Final project presentations to peers and faculty
- assessment support: Feedback and reflective discussion.
Learning outcomes
- demonstrate an understanding of core and contemporary neuroscience from a translational perspective, including application of practical and analytical laboratory skills to investigate neurological disease
- communicate complex scientific information effectively through multiple modalities
- demonstrate teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills as core pre-medical competencies through group work
- reflect on clinical exposure and neuroimaging experience to understand real-world diagnostic approaches and patient perspectives in neuroscience.
Teaching method: Lectures, seminars, workshops, practical laboratories, anatomy sessions (dissection room) and clinical exposure
Assessment: Academic poster (50%), engagement and skills portfolio (50%)
Contact hours: 40 hours
Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
Level: 5If you are interested in studying this module, why not join us for six weeks and take a look at our session two module Exploring the Brain: Hands on Neuroimaging.
- Video transcript
Session Two
- Ecology and Conservation: Current Topics
Undergraduate Summer School - Ecology and Conservation
- Video transcript
[Man speaks to camera]
Hello, I'm Todd Rae, and I'm an Assistant Professor in Ecology and Animal Biology here in the School of Life Sciences at Sussex.
I'm here to talk to you today about our Summer School module, Ecology and Conservation: Current Topics that we're offering.
This is a fantastic module for people interested in those particular topics, primarily because of the fact that the content of the module is based on current research that our award winning staff have been doing, both here and abroad.
As part of this module we'll be giving you lectures and seminars to do with conservation and ecology so that you understand the background, but also taking you out into the environment.
Sussex is right next to the South Downs National Park and to the South Coast, and we do field trips on this module to those areas so that you can learn by doing.
In addition to that, we'll introduce you to our Living Lab project, which is a series of experiments and observations that we're doing on campus of things like biodiversity and conservation.
So we really hope that you can come and join our international cohort of students who are coming to learn about the ecology and conservation of the South Coast.
[End card: fade out of blue, green and purple colours with the 名媛直播 logo]
Module code: IS417
This summer module covers current topics in ecology and conservation. In addition to lectures and workshops, fieldwork and ecological/conservation excursions are fundamental elements of the module.
You'll be taken into the South Downs National Park adjacent to the campus to directly observe the unique landscape of southern England, to the nearby seaside for observation and instruction on marine biology and conservation, and participate in the collection and identification of invertebrate life on campus as part of our groundbreaking Living Lab research programme.
You will have the opportunity for experiential learning on ecology and conservation, presented by practicing scientists using their own research projects as examples. You will:
- learn survey and identification skills through field trips
- develop and gain an understanding of conservation/applied ecology in relation to real world problems in such diverse areas as coastal conservation, rewilding and/or biodiversity monitoring in arthropods and vertebrates.
The School of Life Science has leading research in ecology and conservation; including Professor Dave Goulson, who is the founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, holds multiple awards, including the 2013 Zoological Society of London's Marsh Award for Conservation Biology.
The module assumes a basic level of biological/ecological knowledge, such as that provided by a Biology A-Level or first-year undergraduate instruction. It would be of interest to any student keen to learn about cutting-edge research on temperate region ecology and conservation and about the exciting opportunities available for postgraduate study at Sussex.
Learning outcomes
- understand biological principles essential to ecology and conservation
- develop knowledge of basic theories and concepts in ecology and conservation
- demonstrate understanding of conservation and applied ecology in relation to real world problems
- be able to present and interpret evidence from fieldwork on behavioural ecology.
Teaching method: Fieldwork, lectures, seminars and workshops
Assessment: Fieldwork report (40%), Iin-class test (50%), observation (10%)
Contact hours: 40 hours
Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
Level: 4Interested in studying with us for six weeks over the summer? Ecology and Conservation: Current Topics pairs well with Climate Justice and offers a broad approach to the study of climate. Read Gabriella’s Summer School story to find out more.
- Video transcript
- Intensive Introductory Physics for Life Sciences (2)
Undergraduate Summer School – Physics
- Video transcript
[Woman speaks to camera]
Hi. My name is Dr Jackie Grant, and I'm the Academic Lead on the Physics Summer School.
Our modules are designed specifically for students from Life Sciences and Biomedical backgrounds.
The programme is designed to provide firm foundations for those going on to future careers in medicine and life sciences,
It's essentially a year's worth of physics, taught intensively over eight weeks.
However, you'll be supported throughout by small class sizes, hands on laboratory workshops, and interactive teaching.
There's a real focus on conceptual understanding and application of those concepts.
By the end of summer, you'll have gained confidence in solving real world physics problems. You'll be writing scientific reports, carrying out experiments, and analysing your own data.
The Physics Summer School has been running since 1996. It is the most established programme of its kind in the UK, and we have years and years of experience in supporting students who are new to the subject, studying intensive physics in this way.
Our Physics department sits proudly alongside the School of Life Sciences and the Medical School.
Today I’m in the quantum sensing laboratory where colleagues who teach with me on the summer programme are using fundamental Physics to look at, for example, non-invasive blood flow techniques, nerve cell communications and magnetic fields from neural activity.
These have real world applications from the fundamental physics that we all work on in our Physics department.
Everyone who works on the summer programme is looking forward to welcoming you to our Physics department and to our Physics Summer School.
[End card: fade out of blue, green and purple colours with the 名媛直播 logo]
Module code: ISP02
You can only take this module if you have completed Intensive Introductory Physics for Life Sciences (1).
This calculus-based module will provide a firm foundation in physical concepts and principles, covering electric forces and electric fields, continuous charge distributions, Gauss’s Law, electric potential, capacitance and dielectrics, current and resistance, DC circuits, magnetic fields, force on a charge moving in a magnetic field, charged particle moving in electric and magnetic fields, sources of the magnetic field, Faraday’s law and induction, AC circuits, EM waves, the nature of light and principles of ray optics, image formation and lenses, wave optics and diffraction patterns, introduction to quantum physics, the uncertainty principle, atomic physics, nuclear physics and radioactivity. Applications of physical concepts will be stressed, particularly those related to biological and medical phenomena as well as those forming the basis of much of modern technology. You gain further insight into the physics taught by carrying out a series of laboratory experiments and learning how to analyse and interpret the data.
Recommendation: This is an intensive module, requiring good mathematical skills, including algebra and trigonometry and a knowledge of vectors and of differential and integral calculus. We also recommend that you view our Maths preparation and . Please check with your home institution that your mathematics is at an appropriate level.
Note: For a 15-credit module taken over four weeks you need to do about 85 hours of self-study over and above the scheduled 65 contact hours. This means that you should be working for about 20-25 hours per week, on average, in addition to attending classes. You need to bear this in mind when planning trips and travel and outside class.
Learning outcomes:
- have a basic knowledge of the physics topics covered in the course
- be able to solve physics problems at the appropriate level which requires use of this knowledge
- be able to demonstrate familiarity with simple scientific equipment, make accurate measurements, keep records of observations, analyse and interpret data and write scientific reports on experiments.
Teaching method: Laboratory, lectures and workshops
Assessment: 65% Exams, 25% Practical Laboratory Reports, 10% In-class tests
Contact hours: 82 hours, with 28 hours additional support, totaling 110 hours
Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
Level: 4
Laboratory Fees: £300 - Video transcript
- Psychology Now! Contemporary Issues in and Applications of Psychology
Undergraduate Summer School – Psychology
- Video transcript
[Man speaks to camera]
Hi, my name is Dave Smalley. I'm Associate Professor here in the School of Psychology, at Sussex. I'm very excited to tell you about two summer school modules that we are offering.
The first of those is Psychology Now. Psychology Now covers lots of contemporary issues, different applications of psychology.
You may not be aware, but actually just about every part of your life is relevant to the study of psychology. We want this module to entice you in and to help you to learn why psychology really is a fascinating subject to learn about.We also have a bit more of a focused module on Clinical Psychology and Mental Health. A dedicated application of psychology. One of the big fields. We cover all sorts in this module, including the etiology, what causes mental health issues, the diagnostic process, understanding mental health issues, and also how we support individuals with mental health issues.
It's really appropriate for those in specialisms already in Psychology, but also Biology or Neuroscience, because there's a massive overlap in those areas and that means it dovetails really nicely with some other Summer School modules that we have on offer as well.
Having worked with the Summer School for over ten years, what I can tell you is our students really like the campus university feel.
They like that we're part of a National Park and that we’re a very friendly, supportive school as well. We’re a large school with internationally respected faculty across all sorts of areas, and we're always willing for you to pop in and chat to us and learn a little bit more about what we're doing here.We're really looking forward to welcoming you to the 名媛直播 this summer.
[End card: fade out of blue, green and purple colours with the 名媛直播 logo]
Module Code: IS445
Psychology Now! will introduce you to a variety of contemporary topics in psychology and a variety of ways in which psychological knowledge is applied to understand and solve everyday problems. It covers topics related to well-being, mental health, some everyday aspects of psychology and some theories that help us explain everyday problems. Topics vary from year to year but might typically include:
- psychology of work and rest
- hypnosis
- body images
- clinical psychology and mental health
- educational psychology
- how the presence of others affects our behaviour.
This module integrates lecturing and small group teaching to support you in acquiring knowledge on psychology theory and research and evaluating the effectiveness of the application of psychology to solve real world problems. Most of the reading for this course is intended to be accessible to a lay person, but you will also develop the ability to evaluate the adequacy of empirical psychology research on the topics covered and communicate theoretical ideas through group discussions and assignments.
This module is suited to those with no background in psychology who are interested in learning about the subject.
Learning outcomes:
- describe and evaluate contemporary topics in psychology and contributions of key areas of applied psychology
- describe and evaluate some of the research and theories that support these contemporary and applied areas
- evaluate how psychological theory is used to solve practical problems encountered by different types of psychologists
- interact effectively as a group, sharing experiences, giving and receiving information and ideas, and modifying responses where appropriate.
Teaching method: Lectures, seminars and tutorials
Assessment: 65% essay, 25% group presentation, 10% observation
Contact hours: 40 hours
Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
Level: 4 - Video transcript
- Exploring the Brain: Hands-on Neuroimaging
Module code: IS459
Undergraduate Summer School - Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
- Video transcript
[Man talks to the camera]
Hi, my name is Dr Greig Joilin. I’m Assistant Professor in Biochemistry and Biomedecine in the School of Life Sciences at the 名媛直播. And I'm really excited today to talk to you about two of the Summer School modules that we're offering here, which may be of particular interest for those of you doing pre-med.
So the School of Life Sciences has a rich research portfolio focusing on molecular diagnostics, neuroscience and drug discovery. And what we're able to do is pull in all that expertise into the first module, Translational Neuroscience.
In this module, you'll be learning about how the information in our genes and our cells are expressed, and how that can contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as motor neurone disease and Alzheimer's disease.
What you'll actually be doing during that module is you'll be here in the lab doing research experiments, collecting data, analysing that data, and putting it all together so that you're able to present that data in a clinical setting.
So in collaboration with our colleagues in the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, we're able to offer a second module, Exploring the Brain. Now in this module, you're going to have hands on experience with using a real FMRI machine where you'll be able to design a study, collect the data, analyse it, and write it up into a scientific report in the clinical neuroscience field.
Now, this is a really unique opportunity that none of our undergraduate students get. So this is really going to help you stand out on your CV.
So in these six weeks, you will understand how information in our genes contributes to development of disease and how you can explore that experimentally and clinically through a series of hands on experiences. So we look forward to seeing you here at Sussex in the summer.
[End card: fade out of blue, green and purple colours with the 名媛直播 logo]
This course goes beyond conventional lecture-based instruction by placing you at the heart of the research process. Through hands-on scanning, data analysis, literature exploration, and seminar participation, you will learn how MRI and fMRI are used to investigate the human brain — and will apply that knowledge to design, conduct, and present their own neuroimaging project.
The course integrates foundational concepts in neuroimaging and clinical neuroscience through hands-on, research-based learning. You will learn how to operate an MRI scanner to collect brain images and will work in teams of two to three to design and conduct mini research projects based on the data they acquire. Through this process, you will gain practical experience with MRI hardware and scanning, experimental design, basic image processing, and scientific writing and presentation.
You will also attend a series of one-hour seminars led by neuroscientists and clinicians who share insights from their extensive research experience. These sessions are designed to situate classroom learning in real-world contexts, highlighting how neuroimaging is applied in both clinical practice and research. Topics may include neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, brain injury, and advanced diagnostic imaging. The seminars offer you a unique opportunity to engage directly with experts, explore the translational impact of neuroimaging, and deepen their understanding of its role in both patient care and neuroscience research.
This module will be suited to 2nd year University level students and is ideal for pre-medical students, neuroscience majors, and any undergraduate interested in medical imaging, brain research, or data-driven science. It is particular suited to those looking for practical experience and exposure ahead of applications to medical school or health careers.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- describe the fundamental physical principles that result in image contrast in MRI
- acquire and process anatomical (MRI), functional (fMRI), and physiological (physMRI) brain images, and explain their differences in both research and clinical contexts
- design a simple fMRI experiment and present the resulting data in the format of a research paper
- critically synthesize current research in neuroimaging through seminar attendance and targeted literature searches, and integrate these insights into experimental design and data interpretation
- present the results of a group project in the format of a conference presentation, and demonstrate an understanding of the basics of grant writing by using the project to identify knowledge gaps.
Teaching method: Lectures, lab practicals, seminars, clinical exposure and MRI scanning
Assessment: Take away paper (30%), Lab report (30%), presentation (30%), observation (10%)
Contact hours: 40 hours
Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
Level: 5If you’re interested in this module, join us for six weeks to study one of our Session One modules: Translational Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology & Mental Health.
- Video transcript
Read our top tips for choosing your modules. You can also find out about our teaching structure, assessment process and how your credits transfer back to your home institution.

Undergraduate Summer School 2025 student, studied the ‘Climate Justice’ and ‘Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation’ (now called ‘Ecology and Conservation: Current Topics’) modules.
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