School of Life Sciences  
 
 
LSC-20005 Endocrinology and Cell Signalling  
Co-ordinator: Prof Chris Exley    Room: LJ0.06, Tel:34080  
Teaching Team:  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 2 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 734414
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Biomedical Science Single Honours (Level 2)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
None, see the entry requirements for the relevant principal courses
Barred Combinations
None, see the entry requirements for the relevant principal courses
Description

This module will explore some of the ways in which cells transmit, receive and interpret signals. You will consider how information is encoded, secreted and transmitted to target cells and how incoming signals are recognised and transduced into meaningful information, to elicit the appropriate responses of target cells to signals. Specific details of a number of mammalian cell signalling pathways are used to illustrate principles and concepts and may include G-protein coupled receptor signalling, examples of second messengers, such as the inositol phosphates, insulin signalling as an example of receptor tyrosine kinase signalling and the regulation of gene transcription in mediating the actions of lipophilic hormones.
Aims
The aims are to consider how information is encoded, secreted and transmitted to target cells, to show how incoming signals are recognised and transduced into meaningful information, to provide a detailed description of the major intracellular signalling pathways and their molecular components, to consider the response of target cells to signals, and to provide knowledge of specific diseases in relation to signalling aberrations.
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, successful students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of:

  1. The endocrine system, types of hormones and principles of hormone.
  2. The overall general features of intercellular and intracellular signalling in terms of the encoding, transmission, reception, specificity and interpretation of information.
  3. The major signalling molecules and pathways in mammalian cells and how they form a complex network for the reception, transduction, transmission, propagation and amplification of information.
  4. The roles and modes of action of examples of signalling molecules involved in the maintenance of homeostasis.
  5. How mutations and aberrations arising in cell signalling systems and their components can cause disease.
  6. Critically evaluation experimental approaches employed to determine aspects of cell signalling processes.
Study hours
20 Hours Lectures
20 Hours report preparation
110 Hours private study
Description of Module Assessment


Formative Critique:

800-1000 word report

Summative Critique:

800-1000 word report (30%)

A 2-hour examination: short answer section (60%) and essay section (40%): 1 essay from 4
1: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 70%
2 hour exam - short answer and essay sections
2: Critique weighted 30%
800-1000 word report
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.