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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Deanery of Biomedical Sciences : Integrative Biomedical Sciences (Zhejiang)

Undergraduate Course: Endocrine and Reproductive Biology 3 (IBMS09005)

Course Outline
SchoolDeanery of Biomedical Sciences CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis elective course will focus on major aspects of endocrinology and reproductive biology in human health and disease.
Course description This elective course will focus on major aspects of endocrinology and reproductive biology in human health and disease.

The lecture component will include: fundamental principles of endocrinology; the organisation, structure, regulation and interaction of the major endocrine systems (including the brain, pituitary, adrenal glands, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, placenta); hormones, their receptors and hormonal signalling; hormonal control of vital physiological processes including appetite, growth and metabolism, glucose homeostasis, salt and water balance, calcium regulation, stress adaptation; as well as reproduction and fertility (including the male and female reproductive systems, puberty, ovulation, sex, pregnancy, parturition, lactation).

The lectures will use examples of disorders resulting from endocrine dysfunction or endocrine disruptors to illustrate the importance of the endocrine systems in maintaining physiological homeostasis. While the focus will be on human health and disease, a core emphasis will be on model organisms and experimental approaches that underpin foundational knowledge in endocrinology and reproductive biology.

The course will demonstrate how basic biomedical research has led to key discoveries that have facilitated the development of therapies for endocrine disorders and modern contraceptives.

The course will emphasise a problem-solving approach consisting of data assimilation, interpretation and critical appraisal from primary scientific literature in the field.
Course delivery will include lectures, practicals, workshops and tutorials.

The course will focus on delivering material to develop the pre-requisite knowledge required for honour electives in e.g. reproductive biology, neuroendocrinology.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 30, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 25, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 121 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 60 %, Coursework 40 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Written exam: 60%«br /»
In-course assessment: 40%«br /»
(i) Group presentation (10%)«br /»
(ii) MCQ based on a relevant research paper (15%)«br /»
(iii) MCQ based on practical sessions (15%)
Feedback There will be 3 formative assessments (MCQs/quiz) during the course on material delivered via lectures with instant feedback provided. Students will also receive feedback on the group presentation.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Describe and discuss the role of various endocrine systems of the human body, how these are regulated, their relation to other organ systems and how dysfunction leads to endocrine disorders
  2. Describe and discuss the process of human reproduction and fertility, the underlying control mechanisms and the endocrine basis of contraception and infertility.
  3. Summarise key experimental approaches and laboratory techniques, explain how to generate and test hypotheses and describe model systems that underpin foundational knowledge in endocrinology and reproductive biology.
  4. Apply skills in communication and critical analysis and data interpretation.
Reading List
General textbook containing basic information for much of the course: The Endocrine System at a Glance, Greenstein and Wood, 3rd edition, 2011.

Individual lecturers will also recommend general reviews and key original research articles.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Research and enquiry: Students completing this course will develop skills in problem solving, analytical and critical thinking, knowledge integration and application skills which will enable them to grasp complex and ambiguous concepts. This will be achieved through experimental design workshops, directed journal clubs and analysing data acquired during practicals.

Personal and intellectual autonomy: Students completing this course will develop skills in independent learning through self-directed study required for tutorial assignments; adaptable thinking and decision making through discussion and debate with peers and tutors in relevant tutorials and workshops.

Communication: Students completing this course will further develop oral, scientific writing, presentation and inter-personal skills, through opportunities to present to peers, laboratory record keeping and group activities.
KeywordsEndocrinology,Fertility,Neuroendocrinology,Physiology,Reproduction
Contacts
Course organiserDr Paula Brunton
Tel: (0131 6)51 9129
Email: P.J.Brunton@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Natasha Goldie
Tel:
Email: natasha.goldie@ed.ac.uk
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