Module Title
Medical Biochemistry
Keywords
Inherited Metabolic Disease, Endocrine Disorders, Endocrine Related Metabolic Disorders, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Health Monitoring. |
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Prerequisites for Module
Students should be familiar with analytical techniques, human biochemistry and physiology.
Corequisite Modules
None.
Precluded Modules
None.
Aims of Module
To provide students with the ability to apply the principles of clinical biochemistry to the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
| 1. |
Discuss the factors which can lead to the development of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine and liver disorders and explain how these can be diagnosed and subsequently treated.
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| 2. |
Explain how pregnancy can be confirmed and how maternal and foetal health can be monitored.
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| 3. |
Explain the principles of biochemical investigations used in the diagnosis, treatment and management of inborn errors of metabolism and/or hereditary malignant disease.
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| 4. |
Undertake a laboratory investigation relating to the use of enzymes of diagnostic importance.
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Indicative Module Content
Inborn errors of metabolism and hereditary disease: genetic and biochemical basis of inherited disease, clinical consequences of common inherited diseases, management of inherited disease, mass screening programmes and laboratory investigations.
Clinical Endocrinology: diagnosis of selected endocrine disorders (eg. thyroid and steroid hormones), thyroid function tests.
Cardiovascular disease: platelet functions, thromboses and atherosclerosis.
Liver disease: liver function tests, jaundice. Gastroenterology: gastric and duodenal function tests, malabsorption syndromes.
| Clinical chemistry of the kidney and related disorders: role of kidney in homeostasis of nitrogen, renal function tests, creatinine, gout and aminoacidurias.
Clinical chemistry of pregnancy and lactation: pregnancy tests, prenatal diagnosis of birth defects, hormonal monitoring of foetal and maternal health, postnatal screening tests.
Indicative Student Workload
Contact Hours
| Full Time | Assessment
| 15 | Laboratory Practicals
| 18 | Lectures
| 25 | Tutorials/Case Studies
| 5 |
Directed Study
| | Directed Study
| 42 |
Private Study
| | Private Study
| 45 |
Mode of Delivery
This is a lecture and case study oriented module supplemented with directed reading, seminars from visiting speakers and tutorial sessions.
Assessment Plan
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Learning Outcomes Assessed
| | Component 1 | 1,2,3
| | Component 2 | 4
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Component 2 is assessed by a formal laboratory report
Component 1 is a closed book examination.
Indicative Bibliography
| 1. | BURTIS, C.A., ASHWOOD, E.R. and BORDER, B., 2007. Tietz: Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry. 6th ed. Saunders Elsevier.
| | 2. | GREENSPAN, F.S. and GARDINER, D.G., eds. 2004. Basic & Clinical Endocrinology. 7th ed. Lange Medical/McGraw-Hill.
| | 3. | KARCH, S.B., 2002. Karch's Pathology of Drug Abuse. 3rd ed. CRC Press.
| | 4. | MARSHALL, W.J. and BANGERT, S.K., 2004. Marshall "Clinical Chemistry" . 5th ed. Mosby.
| | 5. | WATSON, I., PROUDFOOT, A. and SHERWOOD, R.A. 2002. Poisoning & Laboratory Medicine. ACB Venture Publication.
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