AP0514 - Human Metabolism

You will learn through a combination of lectures, practical sessions, directed reading and independent learning. The lectures, supplemented by directed reading, will provide you with an overview of the major biochemical pathways, their regulation and the principles underlying metabolic integration during normal and dysfunctional states. In practical classes, carried out in the Faculty’s state of the art teaching laboratories, equipped with large screen monitors and PA systems to facilitate in-class tutorials, you will further develop your practical skills through carrying out investigations into the role of specific compounds and enzymes in key pathways in cell metabolism.

Support for your learning in this module will include feedback during practical sessions by tutors on your data presentation and interpretation skills. In addition, tutors will provide a series of online quizzes and data interpretation questions via the University’s electronic learning portal after each system/organ-specific set of lectures and practicals. This material will assist you in consolidating your understanding and knowledge in the relevant area. Your tutors will also use the eLearning portal (Blackboard Ultra) to post the answers to any questions that arise during the course that they feel would benefit the class as a whole. Finally, the eLearning portal (Blackboard Ultra) will also be used by tutors to communicate any important information relating to the course.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. You gain specific knowledge of the major metabolic pathways found in the body, the principles by which they are controlled and the role they play in generating components necessary for normal functioning.
2. You will be able to describe common nutritional disorders that arise from disruption to metabolic pathways and the laboratory methods employed in their routine investigation.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. You will be able to apply reference ranges to recognise normal and abnormal findings and recognise the significance of abnormal findings.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. You will develop an understanding and appreciation of the role played by the biochemistry laboratory in the screening, diagnosis and monitoring of disease and nutritional disorders and the implications in ensuring efficient treatment.

The assessment in this module will involve two components, a short answer format examination (60%, MLO 1, 3) and a coursework assessment based on the activities carried out during practical sessions (40%, MLO 2, 3, and 4). The first component will test your specific knowledge and understanding of the biochemical pathways and principles of metabolic integration. The second component will test your ability to present, interpret and understand the significance of experimental data.
You will be supported in preparing for these assessments via formative feedback obtained during the laboratory sessions and formative exercises delivered via the eLearning Portal which will include multi-choice quizzes and problem-based question sets.

Level 4 Biochemistry or Level 4 Introduction to Biological & Medicinal Chemistry

N/A

‘Human Metabolism’ will provide you with a solid understanding of how the body gains the energy it requires to function from molecules such as sugars, fats and proteins and how it can converts these in other essential components that it requires. You will also develop an understanding of how diseases arise from disorders in these processes and gain an appreciation of the role biochemistry plays in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of these diseases.
Through engagement in practical sessions, carried out in our state of the art Biosciences laboratories, you will develop your skills in data generation, interpretation and presentation but additionally understanding their significance and learning essential attitudes required to work as a laboratory bio-scientist.