BE6058 - Biochemical Pathology (2023/24)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2023/24 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Biochemical Pathology | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Human Sciences | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Assessment components |
|
||||||||||||
| Running in 2023/24(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
|
Module summary
This module will enable students to extend their understanding of disease. Students will learn how these pathological processes can be modulated in the treatment of disease and poisonings.
The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to understand the principles and practices of biochemical pathology . This will be by expanding a student's knowledge and understanding of human biotransformations (metabolism) particularly as they influence the nature of disease(pathology) and toxic states (toxicology). Students will engage with problems in and pathology and study a range of topics including metabolic pathology. They will be given the opportunity to study the aetiology and treatment of disease.
Syllabus
Amino acid metabolism and the 1-C pool; folate metabolism and use of anti-folates; B vitamin depletion and elevated serum homocysteine in disease.
PUFA and steroid metabolism. Steroid synthesis; roles in health and disease; therapeutic exemplars. Eicosanoid synthesis and roles of eicosanoid products; PUFA depletion; links to thrombosis and inflammation; phospholipase A2 and Cox 2 inhibitors. Nucleotide metabolism; significance of salvage pathways; diseases associated with changes in nucleotide turnover (e.g. gout; immunodeficiency syndromes including AIDS, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome). Metabolism of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates; disease links (e.g. diabetes, Tay-Sachs, glycogen storage diseases, collagen synthesis defects) (LO1-3)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Students will be provided with the opportunity to acquire knowledge of the subject material through teacher-led blended learning activities in the form of lectures and tutorials (36 hours), and practicals. Students' ability to make critical evaluations will be developed through the analysis of source material and case studies supported by tutorial discussion. Students' ability to obtain and critically appraise data, and solve related problems will be developed through laboratory-based exercises. Students will be expected to reflect on taught material in order to demonstrate their understanding of the principles and practices of biochemical pathology
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an appreciation of how biochemistry underpins an understanding of pathological processes and treatment strategies.
2. Synthesise information from primary sources on diseases including published papers and laboratory data; and use that research to produce a synthesis of ideas.
3. Effectively extract, critically analyse and present information in context and undertake laboratory work in order to obtain and critically appraise data, and solve problems.
Assessment strategy
The module will be assessed by means of a written practical reportand an online examination.
To pass the module, students need to achieve a minimum aggregate mark of 40%. There will be an attendance requirement for the practical sessions. If the module is passed on reassessment, then the maximum mark awarded will be 40%.