LSC-20016 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

In this module you will explore the specialisation and interdependence of metabolism within the body, exploring the issues surrounding the changes in metabolism associated with inherited and acquired disease (including obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer). You will explore key aspects of metabolic regulation, particularly the hormonal control exerted by insulin and glucagon. In other areas of the course, you will focus on the metabolic activity of different muscle fibre types and the association with exercise and pathology.
Tutorials and workshops will include active group discussion sessions using selected case examples and data interpretation problems supporting the core module content, with guided private study. The laboratory report in the module will be based on sessions delivered in LSC-20107 (Practical Skills in Bioscience) and supporting tutorials in this module, where you will develop a more independent, enquiry-based approach, developing skills in experimental design in the form of a mini-project, and further developing skills in the evaluation of primary scientific literature.

The module will discuss the specialisation and interdependence of metabolism in the body considering such topics as metabolic regulation, tissue responses to healthy nutritional states of the starve-feed cycle and the changes in metabolic activity associated with inherited and acquired disease. Topics will also consider the absorption, metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics and the importance of this to pharmacokinetics.

Intended Learning Outcomes

explain the major physiological processes in the gastrointestinal tract for the digestion, absorption and excretion of nutrients and other substances: 2
discuss the metabolic activity and inter-relationships of select tissues and organs of the mammalian body in response to altered nutritional states in the the starve-feed cycle and in select diseases/conditions: 2
discuss the role of hormones in the integration and regulation of metabolism, and the maintenance of homeostasis: 2
describe the routes by which xenobiotics are processed in the liver and discuss the importance for pharmacology and pharmacokinetics: 2
design and conduct an experimental study, analysing and interpreting data using appropriate statistical packages: 1
communicate the outcomes of an experimental project effectively in written form in the style of a scientific research paper: 1

Study hours

24 hours of tutorials/discussion activities supporting asynchronous content and end of module assessment
8 hours of IT workshops and/or tutorial content related to the report assessment
9 x 4 hours engagement with asynchronous content
36 hours independent study; preparation for in-course assessment (laboratory report)
46 hours independent study; engagement with directed/wider reading to support preparation of end-of semester evaluative reports.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment