Course Catalogue

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This course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of a variety of common physiological disorders and their treatment options. Students will learn about the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying each condition, and will consider current treatment options, and novel therapeutic approaches under investigation. There will also be discussion of health inequality in diagnosis/access to treatment, on both a national and global scale. The course will be delivered by specialists with clinical and/or research expertise in each disorder.

This course will run in Semester 1 and will consist of 10 x 3 hour on-campus sessions.

Normally, only available to final-year Life Sciences students in the Human Biology and Physiology programme. Final year Life Sciences students on other programmes, and visiting students, may be allowed to enrol, at the discretion of the Life Sciences Chief Adviser and the Course Coordinator. 

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This course will be assessed by a 90-minute written examination in the April/May exam diet (50%) and in-course assessment, comprising of an individual oral presentation (20%), and a critical review (30%). 

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The course aims are:

■ To provide students with an understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of common physiological disorders, and their treatment.

■ To encourage development of critical analysis skills with regards to evaluating current and novel therapeutic approaches, and treatment inequality.

■ To provide the opportunity for students to further develop their written and oral communication skills.

■ To promote active student discussion and collaboration.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Appraise the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning a range of physiological disorders.

■ Critically evaluate current and novel treatment strategies.

■ Discuss inequalities in healthcare/treatment options on a national/and or global level.

■ Demonstrate advanced scientific communication skills.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.