Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This course is designed to enable students to understand the principles, assumptions, strengths and limitations of commonly used methods to assess aspects of human physiological and metabolic function (e.g. metabolic rate and substrate utilisation, glucose tolerance, vascular function, body composition) and for them to gain practical experience in performing these tests.

The course will run during semester 1. Timetabling details will be dependent on other courses taken by students during this semester.

none

100% written lab report (2500 words)

The course aims to:

Enable students to understand the principles, assumptions, strengths and limitations of commonly used tests of human physiological and metabolic function

Provide students with hands on, practical experience of performing a range of skills tests and an appreciation of when particular tests are most appropriate

Provide students with experience of analysing, interpreting and critically evaluating data collected

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

■ Critically evaluate, with reference to the relevant literature, the principles, assumptions, strengths and limitations of commonly used tests of human physiological and metabolic function

■ Perform a range of tests to evaluate aspects of human physiological and metabolic function

■ Critically review and analyse the data collected in the practical sessions

■ Communicate their findings clearly and concisely in a written report

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