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Module Catalogue

LF252-15 Molecular Endocrinology

Department
Life Sciences
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Cathy Slack
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

This module provides a foundation for the further study of endocrinology at the cellular & molecular level as well as providing a firm basis for understanding normal hormonal control. The module will describe basic endocrinology and its regulation in humans. The module will provide a basic understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hormone action and will include a description of some of the main hormone receptors and their signal transduction pathways. Where appropriate, the underlying pathologies of important endocrine diseases will be discussed.
Topics will include: hypothalamic and pituitary function in endocrine systems, function of adrenal and thyroid glands, female reproductive endocrinology including endocrine control of pregnancy; the endocrine pancreas and glucose homeostasis; calcium homeostasis, and endocrine function within the gastrointestinal tract.

Module aims

This module aims to provide a detailed introduction to the physiological processes by which the human endocrine system regulates homeostasis to maintain a relatively constant internal environment, including the mechanisms by which hormones and their signalling pathways underpin this.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Indicative module content: hypothalamic-pituitary regulation of endocrine systems, growth factors and growth hormone, thyroid hormones, glucose homeostasis and diabetes, adrenal hormones, parathyroid hormone and calcium regulation, reproductive hormones, receptors and second messengers, G protein-coupled receptors, teroid hormone receptor signalling and receptor tyrosine kinase signalling.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Describe the human endocrine system and explain its contribution to normal physiology and pathology.
  • Describe how physiological systems are maintained around a set-point and discuss the regulatory processes that control homeostasis.
  • Discuss the methods used to diagnose endocrine disease.
  • Apply fundamental knowledge about the hormonal regulation of homeostasis to real-world scenarios.

Indicative reading list

The Endocrine System at a Glance
by Ben Greenstein & Diana Wood
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell; 3 edition (2011)
ISBN: 9781118294000

Molecular Biology of the Cell
by Bruce Alberts
Publisher: Garland; 6 edition (2015)
ISBN: 9780815344643

Cell Signaling: Principles and Mechanisms 
by Wendell Lim, Bruce Mayer & Tony Pawson 
Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (25 Jun. 2014)
ISBN-10: 0815342446
ISBN-13: 978-0815342441

Endocrinology 
by Mac Hadley & Jonathan Levine 
Publisher: Pearson; 6 edition (24 Oct. 2006)
ISBN-10: 0131876066
ISBN-13: 978-0131876064

Subject specific skills

Structure and function of different hormone classes and how they intiate the activation of cell signalling pathways.
Physiological regulation and organisation of the human endocrine system.
Pathophysiology of endocrine disease.

Transferable skills

Communication
Critical Thinking
Information Literacy
Professionalism
Teamwork

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 15 sessions of 1 hour (10%)
Private study 60 hours (40%)
Assessment 75 hours (50%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Self directed learning and preparation for assessments.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group D2
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
In-Module Assessment 30% 30 hours No

Authentic assessment, based on a common problem or dataset researchers would deal with on a regular basis in the academic environment. This is in-line with both AQSC and RSB requirements on assessments.
Examination 70% 45 hours No

Section A: short answer questions. Section B: longer questions (may be essays, data-led or scenario-based).
Assessment group R2
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Examination - Resit 100% Yes (waive)

Section A: short answer questions. Section B: longer questions (may be essays, data-led or scenario-based).
Feedback on assessment

Pastoral meetings with personal tutors.

Past exam papers for LF252

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 2 of ULFA-B140 Undergraduate Neuroscience (BSc)
  • Year 2 of ULFA-B142 Undergraduate Neuroscience (MBio)
  • Year 2 of ULFA-B143 Undergraduate Neuroscience (with Industrial Placement) (MBio)
  • Year 2 of ULFA-B141 Undergraduate Neuroscience (with Placement Year) (BSc)

This module is Optional for:

  • UBSA-C700 Undergraduate Biochemistry
    • Year 2 of C700 Biochemistry
    • Year 2 of C700 Biochemistry
  • ULFA-C1A2 Undergraduate Biochemistry (MBio)
    • Year 2 of C1A2 Biochemistry
    • Year 2 of C700 Biochemistry
  • Year 2 of ULFA-C702 Undergraduate Biochemistry (with Placement Year)
  • Year 2 of ULFA-C1A6 Undergraduate Biochemistry with Industrial Placement (MBio)
  • UBSA-C1B9 Undergraduate Biomedical Science
    • Year 2 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
    • Year 2 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
    • Year 2 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
  • ULFA-C1A3 Undergraduate Biomedical Science (MBio)
    • Year 2 of C1A3 Biomedical Science
    • Year 2 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
  • Year 2 of ULFA-C1A7 Undergraduate Biomedical Science with Industrial Placement (MBio)
  • ULFA-CB18 Undergraduate Biomedical Science with Placement Year
    • Year 2 of CB18 Biomedical Science with Placement Year
    • Year 2 of CB18 Biomedical Science with Placement Year
    • Year 2 of CB18 Biomedical Science with Placement Year