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Semester 1

Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology 3 (MSBM09001)

Subject

Medical Sciences (Biomedical Sciences)

College

MVM

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

Clinical assessment of Biochemical and Endocrine processes enables distinction between the normality of health and the disordered function of disease in a wide range of organ systems to be made by carefully chosen, quality controlled testing/assessment. The course aims at giving students a good grounding in theoretical and practical aspects of clinical biochemistry with an emphasis on aspects of endocrinology. During the course a range of important disorders are covered including diabetes, obesity, lipid dysfunction, renal, liver, thyroid, adrenal and bone disorders.This course emphasises a problem solving approach integrating information from prior life history, behaviour, symptoms, signs to optimise biochemical testing and interpretation: a universal approach in healthcare and indeed in animal welfare and interpretation of models of disease. Healthcare approaches to populations is also dealt with in covering current approaches to the very common metabolic syndrome disorders (diabetes, obesity, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia) utilising evidence-based risk factors and testing to target resources and treatment where benefits of treatment are greatest. The wide perspective from molecules to populations is of considerable interest and provides valuable background to Honours programmes in Medical Sciences and Biomedical Sciences.

Course Description

Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology 3 is a Junior Honours course designed to prepare BSc (Medical Sciences) for the Honours programme in Medical Sciences and BSc (Biomedical Sciences) students for Honours programmes including Infectious Diseases, Medical Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology and Reproductive Biology. The course aims at giving students a good grounding in theoretical and practical aspects of Clinical Biochemistry with an emphasis on aspects of Endocrinology. During the course common important disorders especially those associated with metabolic syndrome will be studied. The course includes sections on diabetes, obesity, fatty liver, lipid dysfunction, thyroid and adrenal disorders and the clinical biochemistry of hepatic, gastrointestinal, renal, acid-base and calcium/balance/bone disorders. There is an emphasis on both on normal biochemical and endocrine function and the utility of biochemical analytes and marker analysis to define and monitor disease progression or resolution.The course seeks to:- develop a detailed awareness of specific Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology topics studying from the cellular to whole body levels, in particular exploring the utility of biomarkers in diagnosis and monitoring disease process; providing a solid basis of knowledge and skills for progress to appropriate Honours courses. enhance interpretative, communicative, practical and data processing skills through problem-based learning, presentations and laboratory experiences. develop a constructive and critical appraisal of Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology and the research that underlies it, while encouraging interaction between staff and students and stimulating independent study and research.The course lecture programme runs for 10 weeks, with week 11/12 (Dec 1st-until the exam diet starts on Dec 10th) for revision and consolidation. Lectures are complemented and extended with class practical presentations and tutorials, a tutorial workshop on therapeutic drug monitoring problem solving, and smaller group problem-based learning exercises.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 35%, Coursework 65%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Assessment Information

In-course assessments:Essay [30%] and Assignment Report [35%]Degree examinationExamination in December with a mixture of essay and analytical questions. [35%]

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