Module BISS2211: CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BISS2211: CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To develop a knowledge and understanding of the clinical laboratory and the uses of biochemical tests in the diagnosis of disease.

Content

• The clinical laboratory, accuracy and precision, quality control, coefficient of variation.
• Overview of hormones.
• paracrine, autocrine and endocrine systems, homeostasis.
• Receptors and second messengers.
• Pancreatic and gastrointestinal hormones, glucose tolerance.
• Hypothalmic-pituitary axis, trophic hormones, growth hormone, prolactin, oxytocin, vasopressin.
• Hormones acting at the nucleus, thyroid hormones.
• Hormonal control of calcium homeostasis.
• Adrenal system and steroid hormones.
• Renin/angiotensin system.
• renal function tests.
• Clinical enzymology.
• Fluid and electrolytes.
• Blood gases.
• acid-base homeostasis.
• Nutrition, total parental nutrition, malabsorption, Fe, Zn and Cu.
• Gastrointestinal disorders, muscle disorders.
• Newborn, paediatric and geriatric biochemistry.
• Therapeutic drug monitoring and toxicology.

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of this module students should have a knowledge and understanding of hormones, hormone action and their role in homeostasis.
• They should be able to appreciate the biochemical and endocrine difference between healthy and diseased states.
• Students should have a knowledge of the role of biochemical testing in the clinical laboratory.

• Students should be able to analyse and interpret clinical and experimental data as encountered in a clinical laboratory.
• Students should develop an understanding of the importance of quality control, precise and accurate measurement and reporting in clinical analysis.

• Students will be able to use the case study approach in the investigation of disease.
• Students should be able to demonstrate an ability to handle and interpret experimental data.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Theoretical knowledge will be delivered in lectures and practicals.
• Learning knowledge and understanding will be assessed by course work and end of year examinations
• The ability to handle and interpret data will be assessed by practical reports and case study.
• The variety of methods of teaching and assessment will contribute to learning by providing details and rapid feedback.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Four practical reports

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University