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LSC-20016 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

LSC-20016 - Metabolism in Health and Disease
Coordinator: David Watson Tel: +44 1782 7 33676
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None


Barred Combinations

None


Description for 2025/26

This module will build on your knowledge of major metabolic pathways with a focus on the integration and regulation of metabolism in healthy nutritional states and disease. You will explore key aspects of metabolic control and some of the changes in metabolic activity that are associated with inherited and acquired disorders. You will further develop key skills in literature analysis and hypothesis-driven study design and communicate outcomes to a scientific audience, based on laboratory sessions delivered in LSC-20127 (Practical and Professional Skills in Bioscience).

Aims
The module will discuss the specialisation and interdependence of metabolism in the body considering such topics as metabolic regulation, tissue responses to healthy nutritional states of the starve-feed cycle and the changes in metabolic activity associated with inherited and acquired disease. Topics will also consider the absorption, metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics and the importance of this to pharmacokinetics.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/lsc-20016/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

explain the major physiological processes in the gastrointestinal tract for the digestion, absorption and excretion of nutrients and other substances: 1
discuss the metabolic activity and inter-relationships of select tissues and organs of the mammalian body in response to altered nutritional states in the the starve-feed cycle and in select diseases/conditions: 1
discuss the role of hormones in the integration and regulation of metabolism, and the maintenance of homeostasis: 1
describe the routes by which xenobiotics are processed in the liver and discuss the importance for pharmacology and pharmacokinetics: 1
design and conduct an experimental study, analysing and interpreting data using appropriate statistical packages: 2
communicate the outcomes of an experimental project effectively in written form in the style of a scientific research paper: 2

Study hours

26 hours of tutorials/discussion activities supporting asynchronous content and end of module assessment
8 hours of IT workshops and/or tutorial content related to the laboratory report assessment
8 x 4 hours engagement with asynchronous content
34 hours independent study; preparation for laboratory report assessment
50 hours independent study; engagement with directed/wider reading to support preparation of end-of semester evaluative report.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 60%
Evaluative report (1500 words)
Students will choose a research papers from a list of recent articles provided towards the end of the semester relating to topics covered across the module. Students will complete a proforma, submitted during the semester 2 assessment period, using generative AI tools to summarise key outcomes of the study (for which students will be required to include prompts and outputs in the proforma) and then discussing how this relates to, and builds on, specific topics covered across the module. Students will be expected to discuss this in relation to module learning outcomes, select topics covered in the learning resources provided and specific case studies and/or problem solving activities discussed during active learning sessions. The report should be 1500 words (excluding AI prompts and outputs).

2: Laboratory Report weighted 40%
Laboratory report of 2000 words
2000 word laboratory report, written on an individual basis, based on experimental data collected in laboratory sessions associated with LSC-20127, supported with tutorial sessions for data analysis.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025