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Curricular information is subject to change
The learning objectives of the Endocrine Diseases Module should enable you to:
1. To gain an understanding of the endocrine system and the basic biology of hormones, their signalling pathways and their biological actions
2. To appreciate the importance of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis in the regulation of our hormonal systems
3. To gain an understanding of the anatomy/physiology of the normal functioning endocrine organs including the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands as well as the ovaries, testes, prostate and pancreas
4. To comprehend and describe the underlying pathologies of endocrine diseases including hyper/hypofunction of the various glands
5. To appreciate the complex functions of the ovaries and testes
6. To describe and distinguish the current treatment strategies and pharmacological agents used to treat and control pituitary & adrenal diseases, thyroid hormone disorders, parathyroid and calcium disorders, diabetes, reproductive function and diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases.
7. To understand and describe the mechanisms of action of these drugs.
8. To gain a comprehensive understanding as to the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and current therapeutic strategies used to treat these disorders
9. To gain insight into the patient’s experience living with diabetes and the impact of various insulin formulations on quality of life.
10. To understand the basic microbiology and associated pathology underlying sexually transmitted infections including syphilis, gonorrhoea, herpes and chlamydia.
11. To engage with continuous professional development platform to help support your learning in the subject of endocrinology (continuous assessment via the BMJ tutorials).
The following topics are covered within this module:
1. Principles of endocrinology
2. Anatomy of pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, ovary & uterus
3. The basic physiology and pathology of the hormonal systems (adrenal, parathyroid, reproductive and pancreas glands); symptoms and causes of hypo and hyperfunction of the various endocrine glands.
4. The treatment strategies / major drugs used (and their mechanisms of action) to regulate function or alleviate or cure the major dysfunctions affecting the endocrine and reproductive systems
5. The basic microbiology and associated pathology underlying sexually transmitted infections including syphilis, gonorrhoea, herpes and chlamydia
6. The aetiology and treatment of obesity and diabetes is covered in depth in this module
Student Effort Type | Hours |
---|---|
Lectures | 24 |
Tutorial | 4 |
Field Trip/External Visits | 2 |
Specified Learning Activities | 5 |
Autonomous Student Learning | 65 |
Total | 100 |
Students are required to have a background in human physiology and
biochemistry and to have studied the Mechanisms of disease (med) module or a module with equivalent learning outcomes. They are also required to have studied the Systems 1 Endocrine Biology module (MDSA20030) or a module with equivalent learning outcomes.
Description | Timing | Component Scale | % of Final Grade | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Examination: Section A: MCQ Section B: Short answer questions |
2 hour End of Trimester Exam | No | Graded | No | 90 |
Continuous Assessment: 5% Complete two online British Medical Journal learning modules (from a choice of 10) 5% Submit tutorials' reports |
Week 10 | n/a | Pass/Fail Grade Scale | No | 10 |
Resit In | Terminal Exam |
---|---|
Spring | Yes - 2 Hour |
• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
Online automated feedback is provided to students when attempting the BMJ tutorials - students must score 70% to achieve the BMJ certificates but can take the test multiple times with feedback in between attempts. Group formative feedback session prior to the exit exam will provide students with a better understanding of the expectations of the exit exam. Formative Feedback individually to students by email or face-to-face meetings will be provided for queries they submit on the course content or questions over the exit exam. Feedback to students after the exit exam can be provided upon request.
Name | Role |
---|---|
Professor Orina Belton | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
Dr Eoin Brennan | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
Dr Koon-Meng Chan | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
Dr Nicolas Deseez | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
Dr Peter Holloway | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
Dr David Hughes | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
Dr Eoghan O'Connor | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |